COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. –
U.S. Space Command hosted a pinning ceremony on Nov. 7, 2025, at The Aerospace Corporation to officially award U.K. Space Command Commander Maj. Gen. Paul Tedman the U.S. Army Basic Space Badge.
Tedman earned the badge on Sept. 10, 2025, after serving 26 months as the deputy director of USSPACECOM’s strategy, plans and policy directorate (J5), from September 2021 to November 2023, and completing the required space training: Space 100, 200, and 300 courses.
Foreign service members must meet the same rigorous standards as U.S. personnel, including completing qualifying space training courses and serving in approved space operations positions.
“Today, we’re here to celebrate Maj. Gen. Paul Tedman’s awesome contributions to Army and Joint Space warfighting,” said Lt. Gen. Thomas James, former USSPACECOM deputy commander. “Talk about a high-stakes impactful assignment for a partner. In the role of USSPACECOM J5 deputy director, his leadership and vision in space situational awareness; space control; and satellite communication strategy, plans, and policy, were vital. His contributions to improving coordination with allies and partners were a game-changer.”
Tedman is the first British Army officer to earn and receive the honor. While not formally recognized by the British military, he can display the badge, paving the way for future reciprocal badge exchanges, like foreign jump wings for paratroopers.
“He's not just a leader; he's a true advocate for the space domain and its protection. Maj. Gen. Tedman, your passion and dedication are inspiring. It’s our pleasure to present you with the Army Basic Space Badge,” James said.
Awarding badges to partner-nation service members represents our mutual respect and common accomplishments, and champions the trust, collaboration, and interoperability in which our relationships are rooted. Though many accolades – such as the Army Basic Space Badge – acknowledge an individual’s success and contributions, they also serve to remind others of the tremendous value of allied integration. As the U.K. Space Commander, Tedman plays a key role in the U.S.-U.K. space partnership, facilitating direct communication, collaboration, and alignment of strategic objectives between the two commands.
In response to receiving the award, Tedman said, “I was both surprised and delighted to be awarded the U.S. Army Space Badge by Lt. Gen. Tom James, one of the pioneers of Army Space in the U.S. My assignment as the inaugural allied DJ5 in USSPACECOM was one of the most demanding and rewarding experiences of my life to date.”
He continued, “I feel enormously privileged to have benefited from the U.S. military’s deep space lineage and experience. They took a simple soldier and, through an amazing syllabus of space education and training, turned me into a space professional – I now have a badge to prove it!”
Tedman also reflected on the significance of allied integration during his time at USSPACECOM. “I was humbled by the experience, and specifically USSPACECOM’s desire to treat me as one of their own and break down barriers to complete allied integration. The friendships and bonds I established in the U.S. have endured in my current role as Commander, U.K. Space Command.”
He concluded, “The U.K.-U.S. space relationship is going from strength to strength. Just last month, we conducted a first-of-its-kind bilateral co-orbital Rendezvous and Proximity Operation with USSPACECOM. I will wear my badge with immense pride, and it will always remind me of the fantastic people I worked with in the U.S.”
The Army Space Badge was established as a unique Army badge in February 2011, following approval by the Chief of Staff of the Army. Before this, it was known as the Air Force Space Badge and was awarded to Army personnel beginning in 2006. In 2012, an Exception to Policy was approved by the Department of the Army G1, allowing foreign military personnel to be awarded the Space Badge. The establishment of the badge reflects the increasing importance of space as a warfighting domain.
The U.S. and U.K. have forged an increasingly strong partnership in space, collaborating across diverse fields including satellite technology, scientific research, and space situational awareness. This deepened cooperation includes multinational efforts like Multi-National Force Operation Olympic Defender, which has expanded its focus to optimize space operations, improve mission assurance, enhance resilience of space-based systems, synchronize efforts to strengthen deterrence, and reduce space debris. In addition to the U.K. and U.S., Australia, Canada, France, Germany and New Zealand are participating MNF OOD nations.