The Chief of Space Operations is the officer who presides over the Office of the Chief of Space Operations in the United States Space Force. The position is established in Title 10 of the United States Code at 10 U.S.C. § 9082.
Appointed by the President with Senate confirmation for a four-year term, the Chief of Space Operations is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and reports directly to the Secretary of the Air Force. The officeholder holds the grade of general while serving.
Statutory Foundations and Appointment Criteria for the Chief of Space Operations
The Chief of Space Operations operates under statutory authorities codified in federal law. Congress formally established the office under Public Law 116-92, division A, title IX, section 953(a), enacted on December 20, 2019. The law is codified as 10 U.S.C. Section 9082, which sets out how the Chief is appointed, how long the Chief serves, and whom the Chief answers to.
According to 10 U.S.C. Section 9082(a), the President appoints the Chief of Space Operations by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The statute dictates that the nominee must be chosen from the general officers of the Space Force. The Chief serves at the pleasure of the President and is appointed for a term of four years. In time of war or during a national emergency declared by Congress, the Chief may be reappointed for a term of not more than four years.
The statute also sets qualifications for appointment. The statute mandates that the President may appoint an officer as Chief only if that officer possesses significant experience in joint duty assignments. This standard explicitly requires at least one full tour of duty in a joint duty assignment served as a general officer of the Space Force. However, the law provides an executive exception: the President may waive the joint experience requirement if the President determines that such action is necessary in the national interest.
While serving in the post, the officer holds the grade of general under Section 9082(b). Holding the rank of general while serving does not vacate the permanent military grade held by the officer. For how the service orders its ranks, see Space Force ranks.
Statutory Structure of 10 U.S.C. Section 9082
The federal statute that establishes the office is organized into six specific subsections, each addressing a discrete operational or administrative element of the position.
| Statutory Subsection | Legal Subject | Legal Mandate and Provision |
|---|---|---|
| 10 U.S.C. § 9082(a) | Appointment and Term | Appointed by President with Senate consent from general officers; 4-year term; joint duty prerequisite unless waived. |
| 10 U.S.C. § 9082(b) | Grade and Rank | Serves in the grade of general without vacating the officer’s permanent military grade. |
| 10 U.S.C. § 9082(c) | Reporting Line | Performs duties under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Air Force and is directly responsible to the Secretary. |
| 10 U.S.C. § 9082(d) | Core Duties | Presides over the Office of the Chief of Space Operations; transmits plans; acts as Secretary’s agent; supervises designated forces. |
| 10 U.S.C. § 9082(e) | Joint Chiefs Membership | Serves as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; provides independent advice; keeps Secretary informed of military operations. |
| 10 U.S.C. § 9082(f) | Succession and Vacancy | Vice Chief of Space Operations performs duties during vacancy or absence; followed by the most senior Space Staff officer. |
Prescribed Duties and Responsibilities of the Chief of Space Operations
Subsection (c) of 10 U.S.C. Section 9082 specifies that, except as otherwise prescribed by law, the Chief performs the duties of the position under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Air Force and is directly responsible to the Secretary. For how the two services divide up the work, see Space Force vs Air Force.
Under 10 U.S.C. Section 9082(d), federal law articulates the explicit duties assigned to the position. Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief must:
- Preside over the Office of the Chief of Space Operations.
- Transmit the plans and recommendations of the Office of the Chief of Space Operations to the Secretary of the Air Force and advise the Secretary on those measures.
- Act as the agent of the Secretary of the Air Force in carrying approved plans and policies into effect.
- Exercise supervision, consistent with the authority assigned to commanders of unified or specified combatant commands, over such members and organizations of the Space Force as the Secretary determines.
- Perform the military duties prescribed by sections 171 and 3104 of Title 10 and other provisions of federal law.
- Perform any other military duties assigned by the President, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of the Air Force.
In addition to service-specific administrative duties, Section 9082(e) designates the Chief of Space Operations as a statutory member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The law ties the two roles together with one condition, set out below.
The Chief must inform the Secretary of the Air Force regarding military advice given by members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters affecting the Department of the Air Force. The condition: this reporting applies only to the extent that it does not impair the Chief’s independence in performing the duties of a Joint Chiefs member. Subject to the authority of the Secretary of Defense, the Chief also keeps the Secretary of the Air Force fully informed of significant military operations that affect the Secretary’s duties and responsibilities.
Supervisory Authority and Relationship to Combatant Commands
The Chief exercises supervision over the members and organizations of the Space Force that the Secretary of the Air Force determines. Under Section 9082(d), that supervision is exercised consistent with the authority assigned to commanders of unified or specified combatant commands. For the service’s missions, see what the Space Force does. For U.S. Space Command, see U.S. Space Command explained. See also Space Systems Command explained and Space Force weapons.
At OrbitalIntel, we track these chains of authority to show how defense leadership structures connect to the space programs we cover.
Service Leadership and Successive Holders of the Office
Since the Space Force was created in 2019, three officers have held the post.
Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond served as the first Chief of Space Operations.
General Chance Saltzman succeeded Raymond as the second Chief of Space Operations, assuming the office on November 2, 2022, as documented by DVIDS. His retirement was formally marked during a ceremony held at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., on August 13, 2026, concluding a 35-year military career. During the ceremony, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented Saltzman with his official retirement certificate.
General Douglas A. Schiess succeeded Saltzman as the third Chief of Space Operations, following his confirmation by the United States Senate, as reported by Air Force Times and Stars and Stripes. Prior to his confirmation as Chief, Schiess served as the deputy Chief of Space Operations. In that deputy role, he oversaw global operations, readiness, sustainment and training. Schiess is the third officer to hold the post since the Space Force was created in 2019.
Statutory Succession Protocols during Leadership Vacancies
Federal law sets out who performs the Chief’s duties when the senior officer is unavailable. Title 10 U.S.C. Section 9082(f) establishes the statutory succession protocol governing the office of the Chief of Space Operations during periods of absence, disability, or vacancy.
The primary succession authority rests with the Vice Chief of Space Operations. Under Section 9082(f)(1), when the position of Chief of Space Operations is vacant, or when the serving Chief is absent or disabled, the Vice Chief of Space Operations automatically performs the duties of the Chief. The Vice Chief exercises this authority until a successor is appointed, or until the absence or disability of the incumbent Chief ends.
The statute further provides for secondary contingencies if both top leadership offices are simultaneously incapacitated. If the position of Vice Chief of Space Operations is also vacant, or if the serving Vice Chief is likewise absent or disabled, federal law sets a further line of succession. In that scenario, unless the President directs otherwise, the most senior Space Force officer assigned to the Space Staff who is present, capable, and not restricted in the performance of duty assumes and performs the duties of the Chief of Space Operations.
For how the service is funded, see Space Force budget explained.