Perceptions determine actions.
The military's perception of the air and space environment influences the type of space forces it will develop in the future. The research method centered on surveying literature and interviewing DOD policy makers to develop the idea that the military's current organizational paradigm is a paradox that sees space as a medium, separate from air, while at the same time, bound to it physically, theoretically, and historically. This paradox creates a dilemma that influences the military's ability to advocate and justify requirements, and ultimately garner resources to develop a viable space force. The paper develops measures of merit to show organizational evidence of how these linking and separating positions of the paradigm express themselves within the military. This has both positive and negative aspects for space force development.