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To meet the rising threats in missile defense and the space domain, the U.S Army is now accepting applications for its newest military occupational specialty, or MOS.
Effective Oct. 1, 2026, the Army will establish the MOS 40D Tactical Space Operations Specialist for enlisted Soldiers in the grades of E-4 (specialist) to E-9 (sergeant major). This new specialty will create a permanent career path in space operations and is open to Army active duty, National Guard and Reserve component Soldiers.
The establishment of the 40D MOS represents a significant advancement for Army space operations and Army space leadership, creating a noncommissioned officer corps that will complement FA40A officers and form the backbone of the Army Space Operations Branch. This milestone reflects a 25-year evolution aimed at enhancing tactical and technical expertise within Army space, and thereby fostering the development of future platoon sergeants, master gunners and senior enlisted advisors across various echelons.
Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command commanding general, said the new MOS will allow the command to build and retain expertise among its space noncommissioned officer cohort though a stable career path. Previously, enlisted personnel were “borrowed” from other branches and returned after roughly three years.
“This is the first space-specific MOS for enlisted Soldiers, and it couldn’t have come at a better time,” Gainey said during his address at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Ala., in August. “The establishment of 40D MOS will alleviate the burden on other Army branches who are lending their Soldiers to space operations. This new space operations MOS is designed to build a robust and experienced noncommissioned officer corps in Army space and will ensure that Army space formations are equipped with Soldiers who have experience in space operations.”
As outlined in FM 3-14 Chapter 3, the Army relies on space capabilities and systems to provide global positioning, SATCOM, weather and related environmental conditions and intelligence collection platforms. The Army uses these critical enablers to plan, communicate, navigate, maneuver, engage the enemy, provide missile warning, maintain situational understanding, protect, and sustain forces.
“[We will] look across the entire Army for Soldiers who wish to take that leap to the 40D MOS that will propel them to new heights, skills and knowledge,” Command Sgt. Maj. John Foley, USASMDC command sergeant major, said. “We need them on the front edge of the fight within the space domain, which is 24/7, as the character of war continues to change and be able to dominate in the space environment to fight and win our future wars.”
The 40D combat-ready professionals will support the warfighter and ensure the success of joint and partner forces in multidomain operations by denying, disrupting and degrading adversary operations through the electromagnetic spectrum and countering space domain threats before and during competition, crisis and conflict.
“Army space Soldiers must be on the ground to provide effects to the warfighter and operate in deep enemy and extended deep areas,” Foley said. “That is the distinct difference that only Soldiers can do for our Army.”
The qualification for the 40D MOS builds upon the training and experience of assessed Soldiers, incorporating a defined training pipeline designed to prepare them for operational space, high altitude and missile defense missions. The contributions of these enlisted Army space professionals will be pivotal at all levels, providing critical space expertise to combatant commands, Army Service Component Commands, divisions, and beyond.
The Army is currently forecasting around 1,000 40D billets, which could grow up to 1,500 billets by 2032.
Potential assignments include both CONUS and OCONUS locations as well as locations in the INDOPACOM, CENTCOM, AFRICOM and EUCOM areas of operations. A complete map of assignments across all three COMPOs can be found https://armyeitaas.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/ASKMS/SitePages/40D.aspx?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExemRMTnRIUXQzbnh1aEpmUHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5MTdD-geH-TUqebkSh1JAi6a1GxB0BHU_D4ThOXTEmJOL5V83u0CiYfhC9Bg_aem_DqpuD7oiUfFqYGRhVTNGWw.
The application period is Jan. 1 through April 30, 2026. To qualify, Soldiers must apply to transfer to the new MOS and, if selected, complete formal training conducted by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Notifications of selection board results are expected in the summer, and initial selectees will transition to the 40D MOS and attend training beginning Oct. 1.
Applicants must be able to obtain a Top-Secret clearance.
To opt-into the 40D Selection Board and see application requirements, training qualification criteria and Frequently Asked Questions, https://armyeitaas.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/ASKMS/SitePages/40D.aspx?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExemRMTnRIUXQzbnh1aEpmUHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5MTdD-geH-TUqebkSh1JAi6a1GxB0BHU_D4ThOXTEmJOL5V83u0CiYfhC9Bg_aem_DqpuD7oiUfFqYGRhVTNGWw. A CAC-enabled login is required.
The Human Resources Command has published MILPER Message Number 26-028 providing detailed guidance on the application process and the transition to the 40D MOS at this CAC-enabled link: https://armyeitaas.sharepoint-mil.us/teams/S1NETHomePage/MILPER%20Messages%20Library/Forms/AllItems.aspx.
| Date Taken: | 01.21.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2026 11:54 |
| Story ID: | 556466 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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