New SEL Focuses on Readiness of Space Systems Command’s ‘Family’

Published March 4, 2024
By Lisa Sodders, SSC Public Affairs

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Building upon the Space Force and Space System Command’s culture, and putting an emphasis on taking care of people, SSC’s newest Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) says her focus is on readiness - for people and for their families.

Chief Master Sergeant Jacqueline Sauvé serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader to the SSC Commander, advising on all matters of professional development, workforce utilization, military readiness, morale, welfare, and mission effectiveness for more than 15,000 personnel assigned to 29 geographically separated units.

She recently took the position previously held by CMSgt Willie H. Frazier II in a Change of Responsibility ceremony presided by SSC’s first Commander, Gen. Michael Guetlein.
During the ceremony, Sauvé said she is excited to be a part of the SSC family.

“For me, what matters the most is the overall readiness of the SSC family – and that encompasses our civilians, contractors, officers, and enlisted Guardians and Airmen,” Sauvé said. “It includes finding solutions to quality-of-life issues, things that may cause stressors, which contribute to our health and overall readiness.”

With SSC’s mission to develop, acquire, equip, launch, operate and sustain lethal and resilient space-based capabilities and a vision to leverage partnerships and innovation to deter and dominate any future contest in space, SSC is not shortsighted about the task at hand, Sauvé added.

“To maintain a competitive advantage, we must continue to improve our processes, find innovative ways to improve our capabilities and operationally synchronize not just internally to SSC but externally with our Field Commands, Service Component Commands, industry and our allied partners,” Sauvé said. “We will continue to focus on a resilient space enterprise to ensure we have the force we need today and tomorrow…and that takes people.”

Sauvé emphasized that readiness also requires Guardians to stay the course when being bold problem solvers and to free up space that detracts from creative and critical thinking.

“Readiness isn’t just the operational, technical expertise – do we have the right equipment? do we have the right trained individuals? It’s beyond that. What are the things that can distract our members from focusing on the mission?” Sauvé said.

Her vision is to promote a culture where Guardians and Airmen can come together to work on hard problems that affect readiness, specifically when there are factors that affect people, her number-one priority.

“Senior Enlisted Leaders are focused on people and family,” Sauvé said. “We are in the people business and it’s more than just caring for our people, it’s taking care of them...our bread and butter is to serve our people and take care of their families.”

The second youngest of six, with four brothers and one sister, Sauvé’s family was a busy household.

She grew up in Covina, California. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico; her father was a mechanic and her mother was a shoemaker. Her father also served in the Mexican Army, which partly inspired Sauvé to serve in the military. Her father, initially against her serving based on his own experiences, said it is now something he couldn’t be prouder of.

“I saw the sacrifices my parents made, and I always wanted to give back, somehow, for the opportunities my siblings and I had,” Sauvé said.

She enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 2003 where she served as a Human Resource Specialist and later reclassified as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst.

“The military has helped me develop as a strong leader and has invested heavily in my education, both personal and professional,” Sauvé said. “It’s also given me the opportunity to build wonderful friendships and meet exceptional mentors.”

In March 2022, she transferred to the Space Force.

“I was extremely happy where I was in my Army career and in my career progression – I was doing exactly what I wanted to do,” Sauvé said. “I saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I could not pass by; an opportunity to help build a service, help motivate and develop a culture…an opportunity to help change the world.”

A question she has often thought about even during her time in the Army, and now in the Space Force, is how to tap into each individual’s fullest potential so they see themselves in the mission and have as many opportunities as possible to continue to grow, excel, and achieve their goals.

“I think anyone who comes to work for the Space Force is excited about the way the culture is organically building,” Sauvé said. “It’s exciting where we’re going, and the fact that every member who supports our mission is also helping shape the future of space.”

She also noted another distinction SSC has from the other field commands is its large civilian population – both government and contractors: a prominent advantage to SSC.

“We need everyone working together,” Sauvé said. “The Space Force started with one Guardian and grew from there. Our organizational structure and our values are what makes our service unique and strong to compete in the Great Power Competition.”

Sauvé stated that the 4 Cs of the Space Force’s core values: Character, Connection, Commitment and Courage are the foundations of an emerging culture. The values, cohesive teams, and strong connections are what makes a family.

“Space starts here at Space Systems Command – we provide the capabilities necessary for the operators to be effective in space,” Sauvé said. “It is a complex process but ultimately, our family here provides the capabilities for our Cyber, Space, and Intel operators to be successful to accomplish their mission.”