Space Cadre
The Navy Space Cadre is a cross-functional community of professionals who are trained to plan and execute space operations. The space cadre workforce is comprised of active duty and reserve officers across many designators who possess relevant space-oriented education and experience. This cadre of space professionals is managed by the Navy's Information Warfare Enterprise (IWE) and their technical proficiencies enhance fleet warfighting capabilities.
Space Cadre Additional Qualification Designation (AQD) is closely managed by the Space Cadre Advisor at Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR). The Navy is building an educated and experienced space cadre, and all applicants must meet the AQD requirements as specified in NAVPERS 158391 and NAVEDTRA43360-1B to be eligible for consideration. Possession of the Space Cadre AQD denotes specific knowledge and proficiency in space operations and systems, and serves as a prerequisite for specifically designated space-related billets.
The Space Cadre is not a managed career path with milestones and screen boards. Members remain subject to their source (designator) community requirements. However, many space-related billets are coded for personnel possessing the space cadre AQD, and members should work with their community detailer if they are interested in filling a designated space operations billet.
Space-related billets
Navy space-related billets are embedded at several afloat and ashore commands, to include: USFF, CPF, numbered Fleets, CSG, ESG, PHIBRON, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), National Security Agency (NSA), US Strategic Command (STRATCOM), US Space Command (SPACECOM), US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM), Fleet Cyber Command (FCC), Navy Satellite Operations Center (NAVSOC), and Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR).
The AQD for each Space coded billet is reviewed and authorized by Commander, Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR), but the billets are managed by individual community detailers.
Additional Qualification Designation Requirements
Membership in the Space Cadre is awarded following completion of the space officer basic personnel qualification standard (PQS), space-oriented training, demonstrated performance as a space operator, and recommended by the member’s Commanding Officer. Space Cadre AQD award levels are denoted by VS5 - VS8 (space operations) series AQD, or the VR1 - VR3 (space acquisition) series AQD.
Space Operations AQD Requirements:
VS5: Space Officer - Operations, Basic
VS6: Space Officer - Operations, Level 1
VS7: Space Officer - Operations, Level 2
VS8: Space Officer - Operations, Level 3
Space Acquisitions AQD Requirements:
VR1: Space Officer - Acquisition, Level 1
VR2: Space Officer - Acquisition, Level 2
VR3: Space Officer - Acquisition, Level 3
** Awarding criteria and billet detailing prerequisites can be found in the NOOCS Manual, Vol 1, Part D **
Space Education and Training Opportunities and Resources
Naval Postgraduate School (NPS):
Distant Learning Certificate in Space Systems
In-residence Masters Degree in Space Systems Operations or Space Systems Engineering
USAF Space Education and Training Center (SETC):
National Security Space Institute (NSSI)
319th Combat Training Squadron (319CTS)
Naval Satellite Operations Course (NSOC)
If you are interested in attending a space training course, please email Ms. Trina Reynolds, Space Cadre Placement Officer within PERS-47, with the following information: name, rank, designator, current billet, current PRD, desired course (SWPC, Space 200, Space 300), space cadre status (Y/N, VS/VR level), amplifying information to support your request.
Space Cadre information and Space Officer Basic Personnel Qualification Standard (PQS)
The Space Cadre MyNavyPortal page can be found here
Without the above link, you may find the MNP Space Cadre page at…
--Log onto MNP (use CAC email certificate)
--Click on the "Professional Resources" tab
--Select "Communities of Practice (COPS)"
--Select "Space Cadre" from the list of options under “Navy Programs”
You may find and download the Space Officer Basic PQS by…
--Log onto MNP (use CAC email certificate)
--Click the "Professional Resources" tab
--Select "Personnel Qualifications Standards"
--Click on the NAVEDTRA 43300 PQS Series on the left menu
--Download the NAVEDTRA 43360-1B Space Officer Basic PQS
Points of Contact
Space Cadre Advisor (NAVIFOR):
757-203-3198
Space Education and Training Liaison (NAVIFOR-Colorado):
757-893-2859
Space Cadre Placement Officer (PERS-47):
901-874-3854