Trump Takes The Next Step In Establishing The ‘Space Force’

The “Space Force” is one step closer to becoming a thing. President Trump signed a directive today which directs the Pentagon to create what would be the sixth branch of the military.

Trump just called upon the Pentagon to make his Space Force the 6th military branch of the U.S. pic.twitter.com/NzBUXcCa5U

— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) February 19, 2019

Known as Space Policy Directive 4 (SPD-4), the directive orders the Pentagon draft legislation for Congress that would create the Space Force as a part of the U.S. Air Force. This would establish the first military branch in 72 years. The Air Force is the nation’s youngest branch and was added shortly after World War II.

The National Space Council developed the directive alongside counterparts at the Pentagon, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, National Security Council, Office of Management and Budget, and the White House Counsel’s Office.

Currently the U.S. Air Force manages the space domain through the U.S. Space Command. This proposed Space Force would stand alongside the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. However, the newest branch is expected to be akin to the structure of the Marine Corps, which is a component of the U.S. Department of the Navy but has separate representation on the Joint Chiefs.

I totally want a Space Force shirt.

Meanwhile…

h/t CNBC