Starcom launches 320th recruiting squadron to train the next generation of Guardians

Space Training and Readiness Command has stood up the U.S. Space Force’s first dedicated recruiting unit, activating the 320th Recruiting Squadron during an Aug. 14 ceremony at the Parr Club. Space Delta 1 commander Col. Krista N. St. Romain presided, formally transferring command to Lt. Col. Jason Cano in a move leaders described as central to building a larger, more specialized Guardian workforce.

“The 320th Recruiting Squadron shows how an agile, forward‑thinking team leverages innovation to build awareness and interest nationwide,” said Col. Krista N. St. Romain, Space Delta 1 commander. “They prove we can recruit specialized talent and secure top‑tier Guardians from coast to coast, ensuring our dominance from, in and to space.”

Headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, the 320 RCS will serve as the hub for the Guardian Talent Scout program, a new outreach model aimed at connecting with prospective recruits where they live, study, and work. The squadron’s formation marks a shift from relying solely on Air Force recruiters to a hybrid approach in which Space Force specialists shape awareness and interest while Air Force Recruiting Service (AFRS) continues processing applicants.

Col. Lacresha A. Merkle, Air Force Recruiting Service commander, said “The squadron’s activation marks a major advancement in how the Space Force identifies and prepares future Guardians.”

Cano, the squadron’s first commander, said the new unit is tailored to find talent suited for the Space Force’s highly technical and fast-evolving mission set. “Our mission to maintain space superiority depends entirely on one critical resource: our people,” said Lt. Col. Jason Cano, 320 RCS commander. “The Space Force wins by finding talent that reflects our core values of Character, Connection, Commitment and Courage.”

Under the construct announced Tuesday, AFRS will provide operational authority, guidance, training, and support to the 320 RCS, with day-to-day oversight handled by the 369th Recruiting Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. AFRS’s 24 enlisted accessions squadrons will continue to manage applicant administration, local engagements, and Military Entrance Processing Station coordination, while STARCOM and Space Delta 1 integrate recruiting operations and training expertise.

Guardian Talent Scouts are designed to serve as front-line ambassadors for the service, partnering with AFRS to expand Space Force visibility and refine how the force identifies emerging skill sets. The model blends broad digital outreach with targeted, in-person engagement at state fairs, national expos, community events, and STEM-focused programs. It also includes efforts to train AFRS personnel on Space Force roles and requirements so applicants receive consistent, mission-aligned information from their first interaction.

“By leveraging the Semper Supra application and strengthening our relationship with AFRS, we will amplify the Space Force story and build a highly competitive national talent pipeline,” Cano said.

Although the 320 RCS will operate with a small staff, officials said the unit is built for reach and agility. The squadron will rely heavily on virtual tools to track applicant interest, share guidance, and support recruiters and partners across regions without being tied to a large physical footprint.

“Every Guardian is a talent scout and recruiter sensor, and every engagement is an opportunity to strengthen national security,” Cano said. “Stand fast, innovate relentlessly, and let us bring the best of America into our ranks. Join the constellation.”

Created in 2019 as the nation’s newest military service, the Space Force has emphasized quality over quantity in building its ranks, even as broader military recruiting has faced headwinds. Leaders said the new squadron positions the service to scale its outreach and support both enlisted and officer accessions as requirements grow.

Prospective applicants can learn more at SpaceForce.com or via the Air Force’s AIM High mobile app.