Gen. Douglas Schiess Takes Command as Space Force’s Top Officer

Gen. Douglas A. Schiess was sworn in Thursday as chief of space operations during a change of responsibility ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md.

He takes command of more than 15,000 uniformed and civilian Space Force members.

Schiess became the third officer to lead the military’s youngest branch. He succeeded Gen. Chance Saltzman, who had served as chief of space operations since 2022.

The ceremony marked the formal transfer of responsibility at the top of the Space Force. Schiess saluted during the Sept. 3, 2026, event at Joint Base Andrews.

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Saltzman retired from military service during a formal ceremony earlier in August, according to the Space Force.

His departure cleared the way for Schiess to assume the service’s highest ranking officer position.

“With all of your help, we have articulated the critical need for space to our nation and our national security.

And we’ve built an organization capable of protecting and defending our interests in space,” Saltzman said at the ceremony, according to a Space Force news release.

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The Senate confirmed Schiess’ promotion in August following his confirmation hearing in July.

Only six senators attended that hearing, a showing Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, described at the time as an indication of the panel’s “confidence in you.”

Schiess used the ceremony to outline his central responsibility as the new chief of space operations.

His remarks focused on the guardians serving today while also recognizing the work of the leaders who came before him.

Image Credit: DoW

“My charge is to enable our guardians to write the force’s exciting next chapter, one built on the remarkable legacy of our past leaders and the unflagging commitment of our current force,” Schiess said.

Before taking the top job, Schiess served as the Space Force’s deputy chief of operations.

That assignment placed him in the service’s senior leadership before his elevation to chief of space operations.

Schiess began his military service in 1992 in the Air Force. He transferred to the Space Force in 2022 and was promoted to the rank of four star general on Sept. 3.

The incoming chief also called for the Space Force to strengthen its combat credibility.

Image Credit: DoW

He said the service must expand the choices it can offer the president, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Force.

“We must build on our combat credibility and increase the number of options we provide to the president, the Chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff] and the Joint Force,” Schiess said.

His arrival comes as the Space Force seeks to nearly double its budget for 2027. The service is requesting $71 billion for new weapons, facilities and training capabilities.

The Space Force is also looking to hire 2,000 civilians. That hiring push follows the departure of nearly 14% of its civilian employees amid the administration’s effort last year to shrink the federal workforce.

Image Credit: Northrop Grumman / DoW

The personnel losses and proposed expansion of weapons, facilities and training capabilities leave Schiess with major responsibilities at the start of his command.

His stated priorities include readiness, resilient capabilities, strong partnerships and maintaining the American public’s trust.

“I will be relentless in my efforts to ensure our Guardians are ready, our capabilities are resilient, our partnerships are strong and our service is worthy of the trust placed in us by the American people,” he said.

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