国际战略研究中心-2021财年的美国军事力量：太空，特种部队，平民和承包商（英文）-2021.1-20页_1mb

U.S. Military Forces in FY 2021 Summary

Core Content

The U.S. military forces in FY 2021 encompass traditional services, the newly established Space Force, Special Operations Forces (SOF), Department of Defense (DOD) civilians, and contractors. These elements collectively form the national security establishment, with each playing a unique and essential role in the defense and operational capabilities of the United States.

Key Components and Structures

Space Force

• Established: The Space Force has been officially created with a headquarters, appropriations accounts, and a capstone doctrine manual titled Spacepower.
• Structure: The Space Force is still in its early stages, with most personnel currently from the Air Force. It will rely heavily on the Air Force for support functions.
• Organizational Changes:
  • U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) was established as the operational expression of U.S. space activities.
  • Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) was redesignated as the first element of the Space Force.
  • Leadership: General John Raymond became the chief of space operations, and Chief Master Sergeant Roger A. Towberman was appointed as the senior enlisted advisor.
  • Service Headquarters: A new Space Force service headquarters in the Pentagon was created, with four key offices: Human Capital, Operations, Strategy and Resources, and Technology and Innovation.
  • Field Commands: Plans were published for Space Operations Command, Space Training and Readiness Command, and Space Systems Command.
• Notable Missions: Launched three major satellites and the X-37B space plane.
• Satellite Constellations: Maintains systems like AEHF, WGS, GPS, DMSP, and GSSAP.
• RDT&E Appropriation: Received $10.3 billion, with $2.3 billion allocated to the NexGen OPIR program.
• Challenges:
  • Small size and reliance on other services.
  • Potential for friction with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
  • Risk of being perceived as a "vanity project" under new administrations.
  • Concerns about the sustainability of leadership and personnel growth.

Special Operations Forces (SOF)

• Growth: SOF has continued to grow gradually, with military personnel increasing by 540, civilians by 180, and contractors by 126.
• Dependency on OCO Funding: SOF relies heavily on Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding, which accounts for 28% of its total budget.
• Operations: SOCOM conducts a wide range of missions including counterterrorism, foreign internal defense, and irregular warfare.
• Ethical Misconduct: Recent incidents of ethical misconduct have led to reforms, including an ethics review and improved leadership and accountability measures.
• Personnel Stress: High operational tempo has historically led to retention and mental health issues, though this is not currently highlighted in official statements.

DOD Civilians

• Role: Civilians perform critical support functions in intelligence, maintenance, logistics, and other areas, often replacing military personnel for cost and flexibility reasons.
• Numbers: DOD civilian numbers remained stable in FY 2021, with a slight decrease in direct hires (-900) and a reduction in defense-wide civilian staff (-7,000).
• Pay Raise: Civilians received smaller pay raises than military personnel, with 1.0% proposed for FY 2021 versus 3.0% for the military.
• Functionality: Civilians are more flexible and provide long-term expertise, which is vital for readiness and lethality.

Key Challenges and Considerations

• Space Force Transition: Personnel transfers from other services will begin in FY 2022, but the process is still under development. The Space Force will likely rely more on contractors and government civilians than on its own personnel.
• OCO Funding Dependency: SOCOM's heavy reliance on OCO funding could pose a risk if future administrations seek to reduce or eliminate it.
• Alignment with National Defense Strategy: SOCOM's current focus on counterterrorism may not align with the new emphasis on great power competition.
• Civilian Management: The role of the Chief Management Officer (CMO) is under scrutiny, with calls for its abolition due to perceived inefficiencies and lack of leadership.

Conclusion

The U.S. military in FY 2021 is a multifaceted and evolving force, with the Space Force and SOF playing increasingly prominent roles. While the Space Force is still in its formative stages and faces structural and cultural challenges, SOF continues to grow and adapt, albeit with concerns about funding and ethical conduct. DOD civilians remain a critical but underappreciated component of the defense establishment, with ongoing debates about their role, pay, and integration into the broader military structure.