U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess to serve as the next chief of space operations (CSO) as the nation’s newest military service confronts an increasingly contested domain.
If confirmed by the Senate, Schiess would gain a fourth star and become the third CSO and Space Force leader since its establishment in 2019, succeeding Gen. B. Chance Saltzman. Saltzman is expected to retire this year after overseeing a period of rapid growth and institutional transformation.
“The Space Force has made tremendous progress in a short time, and our mission has never been more important,” Schiess said in a statement. “I’m humbled by the president’s nomination. If confirmed, I will focus on sharpening our lethality and accelerating the delivery of space capabilities to the warfighter, keeping the Space Force ahead against any adversary.”
The nomination comes at a pivotal moment for the Space Force, which has evolved from support functions into a service oriented toward warfighting in orbit. Military officials have pointed to growing competition from the People’s Republic of China and Russia and the expanding role of satellites in modern conflict.
Schiess, deputy chief of space operations for operations, has been responsible for overseeing policy development tied to global operations, training, readiness and sustainment. He also is the operations deputy to the chief of space operations on Joint Chiefs of Staff matters, placing him at the nexus of strategic planning and operational execution.
Schiess’ career spans more than three decades, beginning with his commissioning through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1992. He has commanded at multiple levels, including squadron, group, wing and field command, and has deployed in support of operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Senior Department of Defense leaders framed Schiess’ nomination as a continuation of the Space Force’s trajectory, emphasizing both continuity and the need for innovation in a complex security environment. He would head a service branch with some 9,400 active duty personnel and, counting civilians, more than 14,000 people – all known as Guardians.
“I am pleased to support the nomination of Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess to be our next chief of space operations,” Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said on the Space Force website. “He brings the operational experience, strategic mindset and leadership we need to continue that momentum and ensure space capabilities remain a decisive advantage for our nation.”
Meink also praised Saltzman’s tenure, noting that the outgoing chief has guided the Space Force through “a period of remarkable growth and transformation” and positioned it to succeed in what officials describe as a contested domain.
Saltzman, who succeeded Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond as CSO in 2022, endorsed Schiess, underscoring the importance of leadership continuity as the service matures.
“Leading the Space Force has been the privilege of a lifetime,” Saltzman said. “Doug is the right leader at the right time. He understands the mission, he understands the stakes, and he will continue to push the Space Force to deliver the capabilities the joint force and the American people rely on.”
The transition in leadership reflects broader shifts within the U.S. military’s approach to space. Once viewed primarily as a support domain enabling communications, navigation and intelligence, space is now seen as a warfighting arena. Recent operations have highlighted how U.S. forces depend on space-based systems for real-time battlefield awareness and precision targeting.
During Operation Epic Fury, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described the deployment of space-based assets and electronic warfare to deny Iran’s military the ability to “see, communicate and respond.”
Officials say that maintaining superiority in space will require not only protecting satellites but also developing capabilities to counter adversaries’ systems — a mission set that has grown more urgent as rival nations expand their own space programs.
Schiess background includes a strong emphasis on operational readiness and integration with other branches of the military, consistent with Space Force’s joint force role. His experience includes leadership roles tied to space launch, satellite operations and missile warning — core missions that underpin the Space Force’s contribution to joint operations.
If confirmed, he would assume command at a time when the service is seeking to accelerate the delivery of new capabilities while refining its doctrine for space warfare. That includes efforts to integrate more closely with combatant commands and allied forces, ensuring that space-based assets can be leveraged effectively across all domains of conflict.
The nomination now moves to the Senate, where lawmakers will weigh Schiess qualifications and vision for the future of the Space Force. At his Senate confirmation hearing, Saltzman emphasized the role of the CSO in building international partnerships. He described the job to senators in four parts: ensuring the organization and strength of the Space Force; providing advice through the Joint Chiefs of Staff; enhancing global partnerships for a safe, secure and stable space environment; and presenting integrated force design recommendations.
For the Space Force, the leadership transition represents both a continuation and a test — a chance to build on the foundation laid over the past several years while adapting to a rapidly changing strategic landscape.
Should Schiess take the helm, he will be tasked with guiding the service through its continuing development as a warfighting force, balancing the demands of day-to-day operations with the long-term imperative of ensuring that the United States retains its edge in space.
As he put it in his statement, the stakes are clear: Maintaining that advantage will require both speed and resolve in delivering capabilities “to the warfighter” while staying ahead of emerging threats.