USSF Doctrine - Introduction
True to the title, I will be reviewing the United States Space Force’s Capstone Publiction Spacepower: A Doctrine for Space Forces. You can find that document here if you want to go through it yourself. This series will give you a more concise version as well as commentary of my own.
Foreword
The foreword is written by General John Raymond, who stresses that the big three words that space forces should take away are Agility, Innovation, Boldness.
This foreword also encourages debate and improvement of this doctrine.
Principles
Guiding principles are listed as follows:
Peaceful secure domain. Space power is a powerful deterrent but the space domain is also a conductor for destruction. Peace and security are hand in hand.
Value comes from “unreachability” and the attributes which make the domain inherently global. Later the document uses the phrase “the ultimate position is greater than the ultimate weapon” and that’s the gist of the value proposition.
Close collaboration with the government is necessary. Due to the reasons above.
Necessity of a multi-domain defense: terrestrial, space, and link. Terrestrial is on earth, space is in space, and the link is everything which deals with transportation between the two. Things such as data and astronauts fall into this category.
The USSF also has their own values as an organization:
Lean, mission-focused (cool)
Digital (cool)
Empowering small teams (cool)
Measuring risks to accelerate learning (very cool!)
Let’s pause on the “measured risks to accelerate learning”. This is an organization built on the mindset of non-complacency. Risks are no longer to be avoided, they’re to be sought out and overcome. Adventure every day.
Responsibilities, Competencies, Disciplines
The document lists 3 cornerstone responsibilities
To preserve freedom of action. If we lose this, then the chief advantage of space as a super-position is compromised.
To enable joint lethality and effectiveness. More emphasis on cooperation here.
To provide independent options.
There’s also 5 core competencies which agents should maintain strength in:
space security
combat power projection
space mobility and logistics
information mobility
space domain awareness
Finally, the 7 spacepower disciplines
orbital warfare
space electromagnetic warfare
space battle management
space access and sustainment
military intelligence
cyber operations
engineering/aerospace
These all sounds so intriguing that I’m sure I’ll loop back and end up doing an essay on each. Every discipline much be able to share information and coordinate action to act as an effective space force.
If you liked the intro, you can read my summary of Chapter 1: The Space Domain.
note added 11/26/20 - there is also an element here of consideration for change. A prime example is that the United States has an Air Force, despite provision or foresight for this by the founding fathers. This is baseless; especially as we (as humans) continue to accelerate our understanding and accelerate our improvements of technology.
Without a doubt, the developing space industry will encounter great advances in understanding and technology which will redefine markets, production, acceptance of, and operations in the space domain. As these arise, the USSF must necessarily be involved.
These new areas of advance should be recognized and incorporated into the Core Competencies (currently there are 5, see above) and this amendment should have a procedure. In the same way which we have provided to amend the law of this country, the USSF (and/or JCS).
This process will have a couple stages within it and certain infrastructure and thought structure will be necessary. First, a system of data processing. Then, a clearly defined chain of command and set of rules. Finally, a provision for action.
The system of data processing is for detecting outliers. This can be best implemented through a computer data management system. Outliers should be assessed upon detection and qualified for review.
The chain of command is a matrix of actors who make a series of decisions regarding the outlier in review. These actors can render either accept, reject, or defer decision. Acceptance moves the outlier in review up the imaginary ladder of interest. Rejection moves it down, potentially out of interest altogether. Deferment sends the decision to be made by another actor across the chain of commands.
The chain of command culminates in a group of high-level individuals will decide whether to include this outlier in the USSF Core Competencies. A system of voting will be needed.
The provision for action is mostly bureaucratic and decides how to set up a chain of command to provide for this new segment. It should have a structure of responsibility roughly similar to the other Core Competencies.
Regardless, the USSF should adapt pretty easily to all this due to the fact that it so highly values agility. The ability to adapt is an incredibly valuable skill, while steadfastness is an ability to be exercised in stable environments.
