Promotions -> Non-Coms do all the Work -> Space is the Navy's -> No it's not -> etc.

[geoschmo]

Stargate and other scifi not withstanding I think it highly unlikely that once we start exploring and working in space on a regular basis it will be handled by any of the terrestrial service branches. Most of it will be handled by NASA, and other research organizations, or by private sector corporations. If for some reason a dedicated military presence becomes neccesay in space, it will likely be an entirely new military branch. Just like the Air Force was originally a branch of the Army until it got large enough, at some point a new service would be formed.

Geoschmo

[kalthalior]

Space Command is part of Strategic Command or USSTRATCOM, based at Offut AFB in lovely Bellevue, NE. Quote from website:

"USSTRATCOM is the command and control center for U.S. strategic forces and controls military space operations, computer network operations, information operations, strategic warning and intelligence assessments as well as global strategic planning."

STRATCOM webpage

[ December 14, 2002, 17:11: Message edited by: kalthalior ]

[capnq]

Another argument for the naval side is that the force structure and travel times involved in space warfare are comparable to historical surface navies.

I think it ultimately comes down to which branch of the service the SF author wants to write about, though. I'm partial to Air Force, myself, because that was my father's branch; I seriously considered Air Force ROTC when I went to college.

[Thermodyne]

Originally posted by kalthalior:
Space Command is part of Strategic Command or USSTRATCOM, based at Offut AFB in lovely Bellevue, NE. Quote from website:

"USSTRATCOM is the command and control center for U.S. strategic forces and controls military space operations, computer network operations, information operations, strategic warning and intelligence assessments as well as global strategic planning."

STRATCOM webpage

Hey I was looking at that web page and found some interesting stuff. This is one of the news bits they had posted http://www2.acc.af.mil/accnews/dec02/02417.html

A U2 with a sick engine would be a hand full. But landing a sick U2 with out a chase vehicle would be really challenging.

[Krsqk]

What is with the tendency of threads in this forum to wander through 16 different topics on their way to the trash bin?

[capnq]

What is with the tendency of threads in this forum to wander through 16 different topics on their way to the trash bin?

This is a well-known phenomenon called "topic drift". It happens in almost all on-line forums, especially in unmoderated Groups.

[Gryphin]

I'm guessing "topic drift". takes place for two reasons:
1) We all feel very comfortable in this community. It is as if we are talking to friends over a glass of our favorite.
2) We are a very creative and intelligent groupe of people. One idea leads to another and to a seqways from one subject to another.

Oopss, there we go again. Discussing "topic drift".

[Cheeze]

The Marines would never stand still and just be ship's security. However, if in such a future, would there be a separation of services. In many ways, the Marines and the Army overlap on duties and goals.

The Marines are considered the world's largest special forces command. I'm sure they'd survive and become an assault force in the future as well...going places delicate people in the Air Force and Army wouldn't dare.

[Desdinova]

i can see how there could be a new service branch for space travel. however i still believe the current branches would maintain some role in space, similiar to how i said earlier. the Army or Marines would be used for planetary exploration and shipboard defense.
after thinking about it if there is a new branch formed for space exploration it would replace the Navy and Air Force.

[ December 15, 2002, 23:26: Message edited by: desdinova ]

[Krsqk]

Would there be a need for water-based craft, then? I'm sure if we acheive that level of space flight, then we could easily cover the surface of a planet. However, underwater bases (another sci-fi favorite) would be more protected without some water-capable attack capabilities.