Saltzman Outlines Theory of Success for Space Force

Offering familiar themes refined with his personal prescription for ensuring superiority in space, Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, told an influential audience March 7 that an evolving but clear-eyed "theory of success" is required to guide the still young Space Force and position it properly to carry out its essential missions.

"A theory of success provides Guardians with shared purpose, and common understanding of our overall strategy towards this objective," Saltzman said during his keynote address at the Air and Space Forces Association 2023 Warfare Symposium.

But because space is complex and the Space Force is still young, Saltzman added an important caveat – this theory of success, which he dubbed "Competitive Endurance," is only the starting point for a blueprint that will be constantly tested, refined, re-thought and adapted to conditions.

"This theory is a starting point for a debate I believe is critical – absolutely critical – to the success of our young service," Saltzman said.

Saltzman, who became the service's high-ranking military officer in November, has been methodically merging the Space Force's current posture with some new and revised approaches he has embraced to ensure its continued growth and success in a complicated and increasingly crowded warfighting domain.

In January, for example, Saltzman published his assessment of the qualities, culture, and hardware necessary to make the Space Force successful. That effort is broadly defined in "three lines of effort" that were detailed in memos sent to all Space Force personnel.

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