Vice Chief of Space Operations | |
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![]() Space Staff Identification Badge | |
![]() Flag of the Vice Chief of Space Operations | |
United States Space Force Space Staff | |
Abbreviation | VCSO |
Member of | Space Staff Joint Requirements Oversight Council |
Reports to | Secretary of the Air Force Chief of Space Operations |
Seat | The Pentagon, Arlington County, Virginia, United States |
Appointer | The President with Senate advice and consent |
Precursor | Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command / Headquarters United States Space Force |
First holder | David D. Thompson |
The vice chief of space operations (VCSO) is an office held by a four-star general in the United States Space Force. The vice chief directly supports the chief of space operations (CSO) by serving as a member of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) and also operates with the full authority of the chief of space operations during the CSO’s absence. The VCSO is nominated for appointment by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The VCSO is the second-highest position in the U.S. Space Force, equivalent to other services' vice chief positions.
In February 2020, the Space Force sent a report to the United States Congress on the service's proposed organizational structure, in which it outlines the plan for the position of the vice chief of space operations. The VCSO would be established as a four-star statutory position with duties and responsibilities equivalent to other service vice positions that would grant the VCSO parity with vice positions established in law in the other military services.[1]
On August 6, 2020, Lieutenant General David D. Thompson was nominated for promotion to general and assignment as the first VCSO.[2] The United States Senate confirmed him on September 30, 2020.[3] Thompson was promoted on October 1, 2020, and assumed the position of VCSO the next day, October 2, 2020.[4][5]
No. | Vice Chief of Space Operations | Term | Chief of Space Operations | |||
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Portrait | Name | Took office | Left office | Term length | ||
1 | General David D. Thompson | 2 October 2020 | Incumbent | 2 years, 316 days | John W. Raymond B. Chance Saltzman |