COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –
U.S. Space Command hosted the annual National Defense University Keystone event with more than 40 fellows in attendance in Colorado Springs, Colorado, June 8-10, 2025.
The Keystone course educates command senior enlisted leaders who are currently serving, or slated to serve, a general or flag-officer level position at a joint or service headquarters, including potential joint task force assignments.
“It is an honor to be able to speak with you today,” said Gen. Stephen Whiting, USSPACECOM commander. “Our non-commissioned officers are the backbone of our military; the NCO corps has proven to be the ‘keystone’ in victory on every battlefield throughout U.S. history. Space is no different.”
The fellows also heard from different key leaders throughout the command covering different topics related to USSPACECOM to include current operations; competitors’ counterspace and space capabilities; and a joint, combined, partnered approach to space operations.
“As a senior NCO in any command you are extremely important,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas James, USSPACECOM deputy commander. “You are the subject matter experts; you are the specialists that ensure that the command is meeting its mission, and you ensure that the junior service members are ready to accomplish the commander’s intent.”
James added that the SNCO is the trusted agent that ensures all the tasks are accomplished to exact specifications of the commander.
USSPACECOM’s command senior enlisted leader Chief Master Sgt. Jacob Simmons spoke of the importance of not arguing away our asymmetric advantage based on an assumption of its absence in armed conflict.
“We do not want a level field … we want to hold the high ground. We must not forfeit our frontline of defense by default.” said Simmons. “We have to form up, jointly, in front of a first flyout and then fight to ensure that our forces ALWAYS have access and availability to act in, from, and to space.”
The U.S. military is in a consequential moment; we must ensure that the service members (officers and enlisted members) that are graduating from bootcamp and commissioning sources up for space superiority and staggering success.
“In 25 years, the newest E-1s and O-1s joining our formations today will be the senior enlisted leaders and commanders facing an enemy that hopes to have achieved their 100 years plan (2049) and have been setting up to suppress our strides in space,” said Simmons.
During the two-week course the senior enlisted leaders had the opportunity to receive mentorship from retired general and flag officers.
“The most memorable part of the course was being blessed to have seven retired Joint GOFOs who served as our mentors,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Chad Stackpole, Keystone attendee. “I am grateful that these 3- and 4-Star GOFOs made efforts to develop senior NCOs. I learned so much from hearing their perspectives and shared lessons learned from both service and joint combatant commands.”
Stackpole emphasized the importance of relationships and relying on each other's expertise to lead and fight in Joint All Domain Operations.