U.S. Space Command hosts inaugural National Defense University Gateway Course

U.S. Space Command hosted students from the National Defense University’s Gateway course at Peterson Space Force Base from Aug. 3-7, 2026, marking the first time the combatant command has held the seminar.

The week-long program, a professional military education opportunity for enlisted service members in paygrades E-6 through E-9 from all branches, is designed to strengthen joint perspectives and prepare noncommissioned officers to operate, advise, and lead in multi-service and international environments.

By educating enlisted leaders from the U.S. services alongside allies and partners on the command’s mission and the role of space in modern conflict, the effort aims to deepen force-wide understanding that space superiority underpins success in other domains.

Since March 2022, Gateway has primarily been 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, opened the door for geographic combatant commands to host the course outside the National Capital Region.

Across the week, USSPACECOM leaders delivered briefings, led small-group discussions, and organized a group physical fitness session.

U.S. Army First Sgt. Maurissa Steppe, senior enlisted advisor for USSPACECOM’s Joint Force Development and Training and an instructor for the course, underscored the strategic stakes. “Our ability to defend our space assets and maintain space superiority is absolutely vital to national security. This is precisely why courses like Gateway are so critical,” Steppe said. “Gateway does more than just teach leadership; it equips our mid-grade Senior NCOs with the strategic knowledge required to lead from the front and instills a deep understanding of how we actively preserve peace through demonstrated strength.”

She added that the lessons are meant to ripple across the force after students return to their units. “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.”

The cohort included international participation from the Royal Canadian Air Force. “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,” said RCAF Sgt. Lia Spruyt, Canadian Space Operations Centre watch NCO. “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 experience sharpened their view of space operations and the command’s role. “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.”

Graduation took place Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at USSPACECOM headquarters.