SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 – Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman shared an update during his keynote speech at the Status of the Space Force session at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference here Sept. 20.
Discussing the Space Force’s accomplishments over the past year, which included the creation of rank insignia, uniforms and foundational documents for the force, he focused on retention and taking care of Guardians.
“We believe in the ‘Guardian Ideal,’ and we believe that it’s important to remember that it is literally a standard of perfection,” Towberman said. “It is a principle; it is not a goal to achieve. We will never be done. That doesn’t mean we can move slowly…or leave things undone. However, it does mean improving continuously. It is about our commitment to mastery of ourselves, our team, of our domain.”
He highlighted the value of Space Force Guardians mentioning a soon to be released Space Force handbook. It’s designed to help Guardians dig deeper into Space Force values and will contain a series of “I will” statements to be used as guidance.
“The most decisive military advantage in the history of the world is the enlisted force of this nation,” he said. “I do not believe the atomic bomb has an advantage over adversaries like the enlisted force of this nation.”
Towberman went on to share tools, outlining the processes for Airmen and Guardians to acquire childcare as well as how to separate from the military. Sharing that there are 13 steps to request childcare and only five needed to separate, he contrasted the two to show that there are less steps to separate than to gain childcare.
Towberman noted retention of service members must remain Space Force’s priority.
“The technical expertise, the depth of experience, the phenomenal craftsmanship we need to stay ahead of China, and to win cannot be built in six months, or a year, or in four years,” he said. “We have to be retention focused.”
His closing remarks of gratitude were for the Airmen and Guardians in attendance.
“For the Guardians in the audience, I am right here with you. I will do anything for any one of you, and we will not stop,” he said. “For the Airmen in the room – especially the 10,000 Airmen who support our missions – we love you just the same. We could not be here without you. Thank you for being on the team. We absolutely have to continue to do this together. We cannot do it without each other; we cannot do it alone.”
By Master Sgt. Erin L. Smith
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs