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Space ForceTechnical / CyberRank #14 of 101 by 4-year cost
3D0X4

Cyber Systems Operations (Space Force)

40-week pipeline · BMT + Technical Training + Cyber Mission Force Qualification · Keesler AFB, MS + USCYBERCOM / NSA
Training Pipeline
$95K
40 weeks
Annual MILPERS
$85K
E-5, 3 years service
Equipment Burden
$6K
per year (amortized)
4-Year Total Cost
$461K
DoD investment
4-Year Cost Breakdown
Training Pipeline
$95K21%
Military Personnel (MILPERS × 4yr)
$342K74%
Equipment Burden (× 4yr)
$24K5%
Training: 21% · MILPERS: 74% · Equipment: 5%= $461K
By the Numbers

A successful attack on GPS or communications satellites would immediately degrade every other military domain — air, land, sea, and cyber. Space Force cyber operators are the last line of defense against that outcome.

The DoD's space assets represent $50B+ in procurement investment. The cyber operators defending them earn $45K–$55K/year in base pay.

Training Pipeline
Duration
40 weeks
Type
BMT + Technical Training + Cyber Mission Force Qualification
Location
Keesler AFB, MS + USCYBERCOM / NSA
Pipeline Cost
$95K

Space Force cyber operators defend satellite ground systems against nation-state adversaries who actively attempt to disrupt U.S. space capabilities. China and Russia have demonstrated satellite jamming, spoofing, and directed-energy attack capabilities.

Equipment & Annual Burden
Assigned Equipment
  • ·Classified Cyber Tools
  • ·Space System Cyber Defense Platforms
  • ·SIPR/JWICS Access
  • ·NSA-Approved Crypto Hardware
Annual Equipment Burden
$6K/yr
Classified cyber toolset + hardware amortized
Military Personnel Cost (Annual)
Grade BenchmarkE-5, 3 years service
Base MILPERS$73K/yr
Specialty Pay(Cyber Special Duty Pay, Space Force Specialty Pay)+$12K/yr
Total Annual MILPERS$85K/yr
Specialty pays account for $12K annually (14% of total compensation).
Force Structure Context
Annual Accessions~300
Avg Career Length7 years
Annual Training Bill$28.5M
Total Force 4yr Cost$138.2M
Read 3D0X4 Reviews →← All MOS ProfilesAverage Per-Soldier Cost →
Other Space Force Profiles
1C6X1-SF
Space Systems Operations (Space Force)
$369K
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.