There has been an avid campaign for the creation of a new Military Branch by the year 2019. There has not been a new military sector since 1947 when the Air Force was created. Besides that, the U.S. has held fast to its original military sub-divisions dating back to the 18th century. The proposed "Space Corps" would be a subset of the Air Force and function in outer space. There would be a designated chief for the Space Corps equivalent in rank to that of the Chief of the Air Force.
New legislation
On Tuesday, June 20th, representatives Mike Rogers and Jim Cooper, two leading lawmakers for the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, added legislation to the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Zero Hedge Reported.
This particular subcommittee supervises military space operations and works under the umbrella of the House Armed Services Committee." If this new policy bill is passed, new authorizations will be set in place to allow the formation of the space corps.
Opposing views
On Thursday at a House Armed Services Committee hearing, it was argued by Colonel Patrick Ryder that resources and efforts should be invested into already existing branches as opposed to an entirely new military force.
Secretary Heather Wilson, had similar sentiments to Colonel Ryder saying, "the Pentagon is complicated enough." The creation of another branch would only further overwhelm government officials and immerse the office in more duties.
Dave Goldfein, Chief of Staff General, expressed to lawmakers in May that the issue of guaranteeing space operations could "blend" with the other "war-fighting domains" would be difficult and potentially problematic to contend with.
It seems that military officials for the most part are not in favor of the creation of this new branch, whereas lawmakers are seen to be somewhat more adamant about passing this bill.
Colonel Ryder, Secretary Wilson, and General Goldfein are all a part of the Air Force staff and are opposed to launching the new division. The entire House of Armed Services Committee will have to agree upon the additions to the NDAA before anything else can be done in regards to the Space Corps.
Reality
Taking military combat into space is not new for America; this tactic has been deliberated over for the last several decades.
Issues such as funding, safety, and even necessity causes many officials, politicians, and scientists to become hesitant when it comes to militarizing space. The concern is that an immense investment will be made but it will turn out to be extremely dangerous for a plethora of reasons.
As technology continues to advance at an alarmingly rapid pace, nations have to remain cognizant of new military designs and strategies. One hundred years ago no one would have thought of stationing soldiers in space or patrolling the galaxy. Now more than ever, countries are being forced to accept the era we live in and understand that almost anything is plausible.
As the boundaries of warfare and combat continue to be pushed farther and farther, governments have to be prepared to properly defend themselves and must possess the advancements to successfully attack if necessary.
