President Donald Trump has nominated Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess to serve as the Space Force’s next chief of space operations.
If he’s confirmed by the Senate, Schiess, who is currently the deputy chief of space operations, will become the service’s third chief since its establishment in 2019.
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“The Space Force has made tremendous progress in a short time, and our mission has never been more important,” Schiess said in a statement. “I’m humbled by the President’s nomination. If confirmed, I will focus on sharpening our lethality and accelerating the delivery of space capabilities to the warfighter, keeping the Space Force ahead against any adversary. My wife Debbie and I also look forward to serving all Guardians and their families if given the opportunity.”
He assumed his current position in November 2025, and in that role, he is responsible for developing and implementing Space Force policy for global operations, sustainment, training, and readiness.
Prior to his current assignment, Schiess was the commander of U.S. Space Forces-Space and U.S. Space Command’s Combined Joint Force Space Component Command.
If confirmed, he will take over the position from Gen. Chance Saltzman, who has led the service since 2022 and is expected to retire later this year. During Saltzman’s tenure, he oversaw massive increases in the Space Force’s size and budget.
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In fiscal 2022, the Space Force was appropriated a little more than $17 billion, and there were roughly 8,700 active-duty Guardians, while the service’s newest budget request is for more than $70 billion and includes a proposed increase in end strength up to 13,200.
“Leading the Space Force has been the privilege of a lifetime for Jennifer and me,” Saltzman said. “Doug is the right leader at the right time. He understands the mission, he understands the stakes, and he will continue to push the Space Force to deliver the capabilities the Joint Force and the American people rely on.”
