U.S. Space Command hosts JSOU enlisted academy gateway course for the first time

U.S. Space Command hosted students from the Joint Special Operations University Enlisted Academy’s Gateway course at Peterson Space Force Base from Aug. 3-7, 2026, marking the first time the combatant command has held the week-long seminar.

The professional military education program serves E-6 through E-9 enlisted personnel from all branches, reinforcing joint perspectives and preparing noncommissioned officers to operate, advise, and lead across multi-service and international environments. By educating joint and combined enlisted leaders from all five service branches, as well as from allies and partners, about USSPACECOM’s mission and the role of space in modern warfighting and war winning, the command aims to deepen understanding of space superiority as a prerequisite for success in other domains.

Since March 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, allowed geographic combatant commands to host Gateway outside of the National Capitol Region.

Throughout the week, USSPACECOM leaders briefed participants and moderated small-group sessions, and students conducted a group physical fitness event.

U.S. Army First Sgt. Maurissa Steppe, senior enlisted advisor for USSPACECOM’s Joint Force Development and Training, served as an instructor and underscored the strategic importance of space to future conflict. “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.”

Steppe said the curriculum is designed to travel with participants back 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.”

International participation included Royal Canadian Air Force Sgt. Lia Spruyt, a Canadian Space Operations Centre watch NCO. “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 reported gaining a clearer view of the command’s role in global operations. “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.