U.S. Space Command welcomed students from the Joint Special Operations University Enlisted Academy’s Gateway course to Peterson Space Force Base, Aug. 3-7, 2026, marking the first time the combatant command has hosted the educational seminar.
The week-long training is offered as a professional military education opportunity to E-6 through E-9 enlisted personnel representing all military branches and seeks to reinforce joint perspectives and prepare noncommissioned officers (NCO) to operate, advise, and lead effectively across multi-service and international operational environments.
By educating joint and combined enlisted leaders from all five service branches, as well as from those of allies and partners, about USSPACECOM’s mission and the role of space in modern warfighting and war winning, the command helps ensure a deeper understanding across the force of space superiority as a prerequisite for success in every other domain.
Since March of 2022, the course has been primarily offered at the National Defense University. In 2024, former Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy Black, opted to allow geographic combatant commands to host Gateway, outside of the National Capitol Region.
During the course, USSPACECOM leaders briefed participants, and moderated small group sessions. The students also took part in a physical fitness session as a group.
U.S. Army First Sgt. Maurissa Steppe, senior enlisted advisor for USSPACECOM’s Joint Force Development and Training, served as an instructor for Gateway and emphasized the importance of understanding the modern strategy, landscape, and the role of space in a future fight.
“Our ability to defend our space assets and maintain space superiority is absolutely vital to national security. This is precisely why courses likeGatewayare so critical,” Steppe said. “Gateway does more than just teach leadership; it equips our mid-grade Senior NCOs with the strategic knowledge required tolead from the frontand instills a deep understanding of how we actively preserve peace through demonstrated strength.”
Steppe also emphasized that the knowledge they gain during the course will help their own commands when they return to them.
“When these leaders return to their home commands, they don't just bring back a certificate—they bring back actionable knowledge and skills to train the next generation of warfighters,” she said. “By relentlessly sharing this knowledge across every branch of the Department of War, the Coast Guard, and our international allies and partners, we build joint integration, eliminate operational silos, and vastly increase our collective capacity to secure and achieve our mission goals.”
In addition to U.S. NCOs, the course hosted Royal Canadian Air Force Sgt. Lia Spruyt, Canadian Space Operations Centre watch NCO, offering an invaluable international perspective.
“One common theme is that once you become an NCO, the main priority is not just about what you want right now, but what you give back to your troops,” Spruyt said. “The best learning was in sharing our experiences that have shaped us throughout our careers. We have all had positive and negative situations that resonate for many different reasons and as we share these with each other, we grow our understanding of what our duty and responsibilities are.”
Participants said the course gave them a better understanding of the importance of space operations and clearer view of USSPACECOM’s mission and capabilities.
“Before Monday, my view of USSPACECOM was fairly surface level. I primarily thought of it as a service that runs satellites, provides missile warning and missile defense, and delivers high-quality imagery to support operations. By Friday, my understanding had expanded significantly,” said U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Connor O’Brien, JSOU Enlisted Academy chief of operations. “I now see USSPACECOM as the integrator of military spacepower into global, multi-domain operations, working constantly with allies, partners, and other combatant commands. This broader perspective clarified how space capabilities are woven into every domain and how USSPACECOM synchronizes those effects to achieve national and defense strategy objectives.”
Participants graduated Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at USSPACECOM’s headquarters.