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Space ForceTechnical / CyberRank #25 of 101 by 4-year cost
1C6X1-SF

Space Systems Operations (Space Force)

42-week pipeline · BMT + Delta Initial Qualification + Mission Qualification Training · Vandenberg SFB, CA / Schriever SFB, CO / Peterson SFB, CO
Training Pipeline
$82K
42 weeks
Annual MILPERS
$66K
E-4/E-5, 3 years service
Equipment Burden
$6K
per year (amortized)
4-Year Total Cost
$369K
DoD investment
4-Year Cost Breakdown
Training Pipeline
$82K22%
Military Personnel (MILPERS × 4yr)
$263K71%
Equipment Burden (× 4yr)
$24K7%
Training: 22% · MILPERS: 71% · Equipment: 7%= $369K
By the Numbers

The Space Force stood up in 2019. Its operators represent the future of warfare — space-based capabilities enable every other military domain, and these Guardians ensure American satellites remain functional under adversarial pressure.

One GPS III satellite costs $500M. The operator crew earns a combined $300K/year. Leverage ratio between operator salary and controlled asset: 1,667:1.

Training Pipeline
Duration
42 weeks
Type
BMT + Delta Initial Qualification + Mission Qualification Training
Location
Vandenberg SFB, CA / Schriever SFB, CO / Peterson SFB, CO
Pipeline Cost
$82K

Space Force Guardians operating satellites command assets worth $500M–$2.8B each from ground control stations. The GPS III satellite constellation commands $1.4 trillion in annual global economic activity.

Equipment & Annual Burden
Assigned Equipment
  • ·Satellite Command & Control System
  • ·Mission Planning Workstations
  • ·Space Situational Awareness Tools
  • ·Encrypted Ground System Terminals
Annual Equipment Burden
$6K/yr
Ground control system share + operational equipment amortized
Military Personnel Cost (Annual)
Grade BenchmarkE-4/E-5, 3 years service
Base MILPERS$63K/yr
Specialty Pay(Space Operations Duty Pay, Space Force Specialty Pay)+$2K/yr
Total Annual MILPERS$66K/yr
Specialty pays account for $2K annually (4% of total compensation).
Force Structure Context
Annual Accessions~600
Avg Career Length8 years
Annual Training Bill$49.2M
Total Force 4yr Cost$221.5M
Read 1C6X1-SF Reviews →← All MOS ProfilesAverage Per-Soldier Cost →
Other Space Force Profiles
3D0X4
Cyber Systems Operations (Space Force)
$461K
4-year total
1C8X1
Radar, Airfield & Weather Systems
$349K
4-year total

Cost estimates derived from DoD Comptroller per-soldier analysis, RAND Corporation military personnel studies, CBO military compensation reports, service-specific training cost testimony, and published equipment unit costs. Error margin ±15%. Individual costs vary by duty station, assignment, and deployment tempo. This is Phase 3 of the Honest MOS DoD Budget Intelligence Roadmap.