J73 Training and Education Division
US Space Command Mission

• One of 11 unified U.S. military combatant commands

• From the ultimate high ground

• Connecting air, land, sea, & cyber

• Never a day without space (YouTube Video)

• To the last tactical mile
• The space environment is far more competitive and 

dangerous today than ever before

• Our national security and homeland defense rely 

increasingly on space

US Space Command Vison
• What is the difference between US Space Command 

and the US Space Force?

• What is Space Command’s Area of Responsibility?

• What components make up Space Command?

US Space Command FAQs
US Space Command 

Academic Engagement Enterprise (AEE)

Task/Purpose: US Space Command establishes a deliberate Academic Engagement 

Enterprise to enhance workforce professionalization and improve engagement in space.

Shaping the Future Workforce

- Inspire diverse groups of students to pursue Space education and careers.

Increase Space applied research and innovation

- Share US Space Command’s hardest problems with academia; expand partnerships

Enable Space-focused academic partnerships

- Advance understanding of adversary space strategies and capabilities

Strategic Space dialogue supporting defense of nations

- Engage academic thought leaders on Space policy and strategy
Academic Engagement Goals

Goal 1: Shape the Future Space Workforce 

• Inspire diverse group of students to pursue service in Space forces – military and civilian.

• Inform faculty of emerging Space educational needs.

• Strategically shape Space workforce strategies – military and civilian.

• Set conditions to improve military service recruiting for cyber roles.

Goal 2: Increase Space Applied Research and Innovation 

• Encourage independent research on US Space Command’s hardest problems.

• Improve command awareness of relevant academic research efforts. 

• Proactively communicate US Space Command challenge problems to academia; sponsor capstone 

projects.

Goal 3: Expand Space-Focused Academic and Analytic Partnerships 

• Strengthen partnerships that provide insight into adversary space strategies, organizations, and capabilities.

• Develop intelligence analysis collaboration with academia through exchanges, directed research, and 

engagement.

Goal 4: Enrich Strategic Dialogue on Space 

• Improve strategic dialogue with universities and academic institutions on Space strategic concepts.

• Align senior leader engagements to foster more diverse exchange of ideas and concepts. 

Enabling Goal: AE Governance - Mature Academic Engagement Program
Academic Engagement Enterprise (AEE)

Key Events CY23

• 38th Annual Space Symposium - Academic Engagement (17-20 Apr)

• Space Foundation – Education Event (20 Apr – Cheyenne Mtn)

• Monthly Academic Engagement (AEE) – Working Groups (Command 

and Component wide)

• Quarterly AEE Webinars – Membership Proposed Topics

• US Space Command Academic Engagement Enterprise Symposium 

(17-19 Oct in concurrence with NCC Value of Space Symposium)

• Website: https://www.spacecom.mil/Partnerships-andOutreach/Academic-Engagement-Enterprise/ 
AEE Website Content

• US Space Command Leadership Training & Education Guidance

• Academic Enterprise Concept Brief

• Academic Enterprise Strategy

• Academic Membership Application / Criteria / Member Logo’s

• Upcoming Events of Interest

• Interesting Space Science Articles / Programs and Courses

• J73 Points of Contact / Form to Connect / Guest Speaker Request
AEE Membership - Institutional Benefits 

• Workforce Engagement Opportunities- USSPACECOM Guest Speakers

• Collaborative Research & Technology Integration

• Webinars / Academic Alliance Fairs 

• Student Internships / Tier 1 Exercise Integration 

• Emerging Strategic Studies and Academic “Think Tank” Initiatives

• Institutional Advocacy / Synergy

• Annual Space Symposium GO/FO Leadership Panels & Discussions

• Defense-level Space Learning Outcomes, Competencies, & Behaviors 
Program Management

Chief of Joint Training and Education Division, J73, Colonel Doug Drake, 

Douglas.drake@usspacecom.mil / 719-552-3635

Chief of Education Branch, J73, Mr. Michael Madsen,

Michael.madsen.6@usspacecom.mil / 719-552-3624

Joint Training Specialist, J73, Ms. Amanda Mullins

Amanda.mullins.9@usspacecom.mil / 719-552-3734

Academic Engagement, J73, Mr. Thomas “Woody” Woodard,

Thomas.woodard.3.ctr@usspacecom.mil / 719-552-3734