The U.S. Space Force is revamping enlisted career development and promotions, elevating the role of master sergeants under a new framework unveiled by Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference. Framed around building “World-Class Master Sergeants,” the initiative aims to concentrate leadership and expertise at the tactical and operational levels.
“Our focus is at the tactical and operational levels, ensuring that our master sergeants are fully prepared to lead across critical mission areas,” he stated.
Under the model, master sergeants—backed by senior enlisted leaders—will drive mission execution while developing technical sergeants, sergeants and specialists. The Space Force is redefining the E-7 rank not merely as a rung within the senior NCO tier, but as the apex of enlisted service centered on mission-focused leadership.
“If we focus on developing the right master sergeants … we’ll naturally have the right talent to create E-8s and E-9s,” Bentivegna explained. “There is a need for meaningful and challenging training to build a strong and cohesive team for the future of the Space Force.”
The overhaul starts at accession. A more demanding Basic Military Training will push trainees to a higher standard, with successful graduates moving from E-1 to E-2. Follow-on specialized skills training will be similarly selective; completing it will advance Guardians to E-3, signaling warfighting competence. After specialty training, Guardians will transition into operations and complete qualification training. Squadron commanders will certify when individuals are “combat-mission ready,” triggering promotion to E-4.
The service is also shifting to a “fully-qualified promotion” approach for E-5. Historically, records were scored by a board and only a set percentage advanced based on relative standing. Bentivegna said the new model emphasizes standards and readiness over competition. “Guardians who demonstrate competence through training, experience, and acceptance of greater responsibility will be rewarded through promotion.” This year, the Space Force offered a 100% opportunity for eligible E-4s to make E-5 by meeting those standards rather than being ranked against peers.
Looking ahead, the service plans in 2026 to empower tactical-level commanders with E-5 promotion authority, tying advancement more directly to demonstrated skills, performance and readiness in operational units.
Master sergeants will anchor the culture of mentorship the service is trying to foster, leading mixed teams of officers, enlisted members and civilians, managing resources and executing missions while coaching the next generation.
As Bentivegna said, “We need Guardians who are subject matter experts, but we also need them to teach, to train, to mentor. So, there is no saying, ‘I will be a technical subject matter expert, I want to do operations, I don’t want to lead.’ There is no such thing, We all lead at our levels. We all have influence over others.”
The changes reflect the Space Force’s broader push to professionalize and accelerate enlisted development as the service matures and operational demands in the space domain grow. By linking early promotions to training milestones, shifting E-5 advancement to a standards-based system and consolidating leadership expectations at the master sergeant level, the Space Force is betting that empowering front-line enlisted leaders will translate into greater combat readiness.
