LONDON –In his final major public address as Chief of Space Operations, General B. Chance Saltzman underscored the critical role of a nonpartisan military in upholding democratic stability amidst periods of profound political division. Speaking at the Global Air and Space Chiefs Conference in London on July 15, Gen. Saltzman articulated a vision for military leadership that serves as a steadying force in an increasingly turbulent world.
Addressing an international audience of senior military officials, Gen. Saltzman invoked the metaphor of military institutions acting as “the ballast in the ship” of state. “With partisan politics creating divisions between a multitude of stakeholders, I remind myself that military institutions in our democracies, particularly military leadership, serves as the ballast in the ship,” he stated. He elaborated on this concept, explaining that while ballast might appear to slow progress as a nation attempts to quickly move towards its goals, its primary function is to provide essential stability when “inevitable storms arise.” This perspective frames military leaders as long-term thinkers, offering experienced counsel to decision-makers and fostering a calming presence during times of national and international stress.
The relationship between military and civilian leadership has recently garnered significant attention in various nations, particularly following public dismissals of high-ranking officers during the previous U.S. administration. While Gen. Saltzman refrained from commenting directly on such instances, he emphasized the importance of deliberate planning and established military procedures as mechanisms for making sober and informed defense decisions. He suggested that such methodical approaches, though sometimes perceived as slow, often represent the most efficient path forward. His remarks extended beyond a purely American context, framing the military’s stabilizing role as a universal imperative for democratic nations.
Speaking from a historic venue along the River Thames, Gen. Saltzman urged his global counterparts to commit to leveraging the credibility derived from their military experience. He called upon them to provide realistic expectations, stabilize decision-making processes, strengthen international partnerships, and focus on their unique contributions to deterrence. “After 35 years of reflection, I believe this is the best contribution that we can make to international peace and stability,” he affirmed, highlighting the collective responsibility of military leaders worldwide.
A significant portion of Gen. Saltzman’s address was dedicated to the indispensable nature of alliances, particularly in the domain of space operations. He championed the idea that nations are “stronger as a team… than any one of us is individually.” Space, he asserted, is the “ultimate team sport” due to the inherent lack of national boundaries in orbital mechanics. This shared domain means that while individual nations can observe and characterize parts of space, a collaborative international effort is necessary to achieve comprehensive coverage and understanding. Since assuming the role of Chief of Space Operations in late 2022, Gen. Saltzman has been instrumental in garnering bipartisan support for the U.S. Space Force, an entity established during the Trump administration. He has also actively encouraged American allies to enhance their own space capabilities, consistently advocating for the service’s growth and integration into broader defense strategies.
Gen. Saltzman further elaborated on the complex interplay within alliances, noting that they possess both political and military dimensions. He stressed the importance for military leaders to focus on their specific military functions within these partnerships, ensuring that collective objectives are met while respecting individual national interests. He cautioned against attempting to “take on too much,” advocating for a strategic focus on areas where each nation can contribute the most value.
His tone became more direct when discussing the substantial threats faced by the U.S. and its partners in space. He warned that conflict in space would inevitably disrupt essential international commercial and government functions, impacting all nations regardless of their direct involvement. “Whether we want to be in the combat zone or not, orbital mechanics will put all of our space capabilities in a space war zone,” he cautioned, emphasizing that all nations would share the consequences and, therefore, should share the responsibility for maintaining a safe, secure, and stable space domain.
Gen. Saltzman specifically identified China as a “substantial” threat, followed by a similar assessment of Russia. Both nations, he explained, are rapidly developing and testing novel space capabilities that pose a significant risk to American and allied satellites. He detailed six primary categories of space control weapons technologies: directed energy, radio frequency interference (RFI), and kinetic weapons. Each of these can be deployed from both ground-based and on-orbit platforms. China, he asserted, is rapidly developing capabilities across all six of these categories. When pressed on whether one nation posed a greater threat, Gen. Saltzman clarified that both China and Russia are equally concerning due to the speed of their capability development and their demonstrated intent to employ these technologies.
Reflections on a Path Taken
Gen. Saltzman commenced his valedictory address with a quote from Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken,” reflecting on a career path that unexpectedly led him to lead the U.S. Space Force. Set to retire in August, he described the poem not as a narrative of choosing the less-traveled path, but rather as an exploration of decision-making itself – the courage required to move forward despite uncertainty. He recounted the countless decisions made with “imperfect information” during the establishment and development of the Space Force over the past four years, navigating the challenges of a contested space domain.
He noted that the complexities of modern warfare rarely present clear, binary choices. “What I wouldn’t give in those moments to be able to see two clearly diverging paths and be faced with the simple choice of picking which one to follow,” he remarked. Instead, the strategic pathways that leaders must navigate often remain “opaque to our best capabilities in forecasting.” Gen. Saltzman concluded his reflections by posing a series of fundamental questions to the assembled leaders: “Are we bold enough to make the decisions that need to be made? Do we know which decisions must be made, right or wrong?… Are we committed to mastering space as a warfighting domain?” He emphasized that while he offered more questions than answers, the initial crucial step is to ensure that the right questions are being asked, as “the right answers to the wrong questions are irrelevant.” Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess, Deputy CSO for Operations, has been nominated as Gen. Saltzman’s successor and is scheduled for a confirmation hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee on July 16.
Why This Matters
General B. Chance Saltzman’s valedictory address carries significant weight for several critical reasons, touching upon the bedrock principles of democratic governance, the evolving nature of global security, and the imperative for international cooperation in new domains of conflict.
Firstly, his powerful metaphor of the military as “ballast” in the ship of state speaks directly to the delicate balance of civil-military relations, particularly vital in an era marked by heightened political polarization. In democracies worldwide, the nonpartisan nature of the military is a cornerstone of stability. Saltzman’s reminder serves as a crucial reaffirmation of the military’s role as an apolitical institution dedicated to national security, providing steady counsel and long-term perspective even as political currents shift rapidly. This is particularly relevant in the United States, where the military has faced scrutiny regarding its relationship with political administrations. His emphasis on “deliberate planning” subtly reinforces the institutional processes designed to ensure objective decision-making, rather than impulsive actions, thereby safeguarding the integrity of defense policy.
Secondly, the address profoundly highlights the growing militarization and contestation of space. Saltzman’s stark warning that “orbital mechanics will put all of our space capabilities in a space war zone” underscores a fundamental shift in global security. Space is no longer a pristine frontier but a critical domain for military, economic, and societal functions. Satellites enable everything from GPS navigation and weather forecasting to global communications and financial transactions. Any conflict in space would have immediate, widespread, and devastating consequences for civilian life and economies worldwide, far beyond the direct combatants. This elevates space security to a universal concern, necessitating international dialogue and collaboration to prevent escalation.
Thirdly, Gen. Saltzman’s unwavering advocacy for alliances and international cooperation in space is paramount. His declaration that “space is the ultimate team sport” acknowledges that no single nation can unilaterally secure its interests in this vast and interconnected domain. The threats posed by advanced anti-satellite weapons developed by China and Russia necessitate a collective defense strategy, shared intelligence, and harmonized operational protocols among allies. Strong partnerships are essential for deterrence, resilience, and the development of norms of responsible behavior in space. His work in building bipartisan support for the Space Force and encouraging allies to enhance their space capabilities forms a critical foundation for future global space security architectures.
Finally, the General’s reflections on leadership, decision-making under uncertainty, and the need to “ask the right questions” offer valuable insights for navigating complex strategic environments. As he prepares to retire, his legacy includes not only the practical development of the U.S. Space Force but also a philosophical framework for its future leaders. The challenges he outlined – from geopolitical rivalries to the rapidly evolving technological landscape of space warfare – are enduring. His successor, Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess, will inherit these complex questions, emphasizing the continuity of leadership and the ongoing necessity for bold, informed decision-making to secure peace and stability in space and on Earth.