CSO unveils Guardian Ideal, Space Force values at AFA

  • Published
  • By Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond unveiled the Guardian Ideal and Space Force values during his speech Sept. 21, 2021, at the Air Force Association Air, Space, and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.

The Guardian Ideal is the Space Force’s foundational document outlining the service’s boundary-pushing, innovative approach to talent management, from accession to development, and it combines aspirations with actions and milestones.

“At the heart of the Guardian Ideal is the commitment between the leader and the led, founded upon our core values of Character, Connection, Commitment, and Courage,” Raymond said. “These values guide who we are and how we conduct our mission. They will unite and sustain us as we grow together as one interconnected force.”

Raymond said he’s most proud of the explicit focus on inclusion in the Space Force’s culture from the very beginning and how the team-centric model outlined in the Guardian Ideal encourages cooperation over competition.

This approach to talent management gives each Guardian a voice in tailoring their development and ultimately their career to reflect their skills, interests and goals.

“We’re taking a bold approach to developing our Guardians, both military and civilians, to build a highly-skilled, unified, and inclusive force,” said Patricia Mulcahy, Space Force deputy chief of space operations for human capital. “We’ve set the conditions for a culture in which individuals are empowered and feel valued, and where high-performing teams can thrive.”

The Space Force is also taking a modern, holistic approach to talent management, incorporating work-life balance, resiliency, training, education and individualized development into the Guardian Ideal.

“Caring for Guardians and their loved ones will never be one thing, but all things,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force Roger Towberman. “We exist in an ecosystem and our focus will be to always remember the interconnected and interdependent relationship of those things. The Guardian Ideal matters because Guardians matter. They are the weapon system.”