New Space Force uniform. Click to see full-size
The US Space Force unveiled the prototype dress uniforms of its Guardians (as it appears Marvel hasn’t sued them over copyright of the name, or Viacom over nicking the Star Trek logo).
The dress uniform features a dark navy color, an upturned collar, and a diagonal row of six buttons.
During a speech at the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Chief of Space Operations Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond called two Guardians onto the stage to showcase the prototype. He noted that the service is open to “comments and tweaks” in the coming months before the uniform goes into wear testing.
Today, @SpaceForceCSO Gen. John W. "Jay" Raymond unveiled the Guardian Service Dress prototype a modern, distinctive, professional uniform during the @AirForceAssoc's #ASC21. pic.twitter.com/tnDJnMkCMo
— United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) September 21, 2021
The coat’s six silver buttons, according to Raymond, are meant to represent the fact that the USSF is the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Services. Photos released by the official USSF Twitter account reveal more details, including the service’s delta emblem on the buttons and mirror-finished “U.S.” pins on the collar.
Raymond also revealed the USSF’s physical training uniform, which is being wear-tested. A video shows the uniform and a gray T-shirt bearing the stylized words “Space Force” in white on the back, and black shorts with the delta emblem in white.
Regrettably, the US Space Force didn’t “borrow” the uniform from Star Trek, since if there were “Redshirts” it would be easy to guess who the replaceable “Guardians” are. There is still hope for the “combat” uniforms to be separated into red and blue shirts, however.
Still, it is a complete rip-off of the Battlestar Galactica uniform. Copyright means nothing for the US military.
A friend just texted me: “Tell me the space force uniform isn’t a complete rip-off of battlestar galatica” and reader— https://t.co/UEyvBY573A pic.twitter.com/8teKYBPWC5
— Valerie Insinna (@ValerieInsinna) September 21, 2021
But it also strongly resembles a dress uniform worn by William Shatner in the first-generation Star Trek.
The uniform announcement comes after USSF Chief Master Sergeant Roger A. Towberman showed off the new insignia on social media.
Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman announced today the new design of the #SpaceForce's enlisted rank insignia. #SemperSupra pic.twitter.com/2O6P441u8h
— United States Space Force (@SpaceForceDoD) September 20, 2021
“The delta is the foundation for all USSF enlisted insignia,” read an infographic shared by Towberman. “The six-sided border surrounding the insignia represents the USSF as the sixth branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.”
According to Towberman, each specialist stripe represents “terra firma, a solid foundation of skills” upon which Space Force operations are built. Changing the straight stripes to chevrons at higher ranks symbolizes the change Guardians go through as they take on greater responsibilities.
“The placement of the Delta above the globe further signifies this higher level of responsibility, while the Delta breaking through the orbits shows their willingness to explore and innovate,” he explained.
It is still incredible that any of these commanders can present the uniforms, insignias or other features of the Space Force with a straight face. Additionally, the US Space Force is still to have its first deployment in space. It already had success in being deployed to Qatar, which just repeats past “successes” of the conventional branches of US military.
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