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Guardians Wanted: U.S. Space Force unveils new recruiting commercial

  • Published
  • By Chrissy Cuttita
  • Air Force Recruiting Service Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – In a new recruiting commercial released today, America’s top Guardian called on the nation’s best and brightest to step up to the challenge of serving in the newest branch of the armed services, the U.S. Space Force.

Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond, Chief of Space Operations, featured in the spot, concludes the commercial with, “so yeah, space is hard,” and a call to action in text that reads, “Guardians Wanted.” His last words became the title of the commercial.

The U.S. Space Force released “Space is Hard” Aug. 24, 2021, during the 36th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“This ad spotlights the critical mission our Guardians carry out every day in defense of this nation, and how space is critical to everything we do in daily life and modern war,” Raymond said. “We need talented, high-caliber recruits to help us tackle not only the physical problems we face in the space domain, but also the threats posed by our potential adversaries. We need bold, innovative leaders to join our lean and agile warfighting team. Those who are ready and willing to accept the challenge of protecting and defending America’s interests in space … join us.”

The Department of the Air Force Recruiting Service and its advertising agency partner GSD&M filmed the commercial featuring the CSO, who expresses the myriad factors that make space the most challenging and complex operational environment known to man.

“As the Space Force’s recruiting arm, the CSO has charged us with communicating the vital role this new service performs for the nation and ensuring the Space Force has the most capable and brilliant minds to choose from as its ranks continue to grow,” said Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, the top recruiter for the Air and Space Forces.

Thomas leads AFRS with a mission to inspire, engage and recruit the next generation of Airmen and Guardians.

The U.S. Space Force filled nearly 400 enlisted positions and more than 250 officer positions in Fiscal 2021. After just 10 months supporting that mission, recruiters are confident they are ready to recruit almost 500 enlisted Guardians in year two of Space Force recruiting. Space Force officers are trained through the U.S. Force Academy, ROTC and Officer Training School.

“Competition to enter the Space Force this year was tough because of the limited number of positions available,” said Thomas. “But interest was high, so we were able to select the best candidates for our nation’s space mission. It’s an exciting time for us to be at the forefront of the Space Force’s future, and we’ve adapted our processes to meet the unique challenges of this lean, new service.”

The U.S. Space Force is the only service in the Department of Defense that selects enlisted recruits at the national level by using individual interview questions to identify the best candidates. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test and other armed forces selection criteria also apply.

New enlisted Guardians will be hired in Fiscal Year 2022 for the Space Systems Operations, Intelligence, and Cyber career fields. An officer selection board schedule is also posted on AFRS’s line officer accessions webpage,.

“Space is Hard” also makes its debut on the new Space Force Recruiting YouTube channel. Viewers are encouraged to comment and tag someone they know who might be ready to protect and defend the ultimate high ground.

AFRS launched its Space Force Recruiting social media platforms leading up to the release of the commercial and a Premiere on their  YouTube page. The handle on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram is @GoSpaceForce.

For more information on military career opportunities in the Space Force, visit us at www.spaceforce.com.