Integrating Variable-Time Work Within a U.S. Space Force Component

Abstract

The research discussed in this report was conducted as part of an effort to provide analytic assistance for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). The research considers how to structure the USSF with a component composed of regular USSF personnel and Air Force Reserve (AFR) personnel currently serving in space missions. The USSF's vision is a single component with permeability across work opportunities with variable schedules. This report contains the results of a RAND Project AIR FORCE assessment of how AFR space units and personnel could be integrated with current USSF units. Although the specific focus for the project was on integrating legacy AFR space units, how the integration is accomplished sets the stage for workforce structures in the USSF writ large. In this report, we describe four workforce integration models-position-level integration, team-level integration, event-driven integration, and on-demand integration-and discuss how the USSF could apply these models using notional vignettes.