Six Eagles Represent First Embry-Riddle Cohort to Commission into U.S. Space Force

Five seniors on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus, and one student from the Daytona Beach Campus, are taking part in a momentous development in history. As the U.S. Space Force (USSF) continues to organize and take shape, these cadets were chosen to commission as space operations officers, marking the first class of Eagles to enter into this newest branch of the U.S. military.

The six cadets are among only 250 competitively chosen nationwide this year to serve in the USSF.  Each cadet from the Prescott Campus — all from the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program, and all but one majoring in Aerospace Engineering with a concentration in Astronautics — will commission at the upcoming Embry-Riddle commencement. The Daytona Beach Campus cadet who was selected preferred to remain anonymous because of the nature of the work she will be doing.

“Serving in the USSF gives me the opportunity to shape the future of the American presence in space,” said cadet Garrett Foster. “As modern technology continues to develop, protecting our space assets is becoming more and more important. It’s not every day that a new military service gets stood up.”

Like Foster, fellow cadet Eric Malmquist became interested in space as a child, launching model rockets and spending hours studying the stars.

“I have always had a passion for new and cutting-edge technologies, as well as a passion for space and our place in it,” said Malmquist. “I also enjoy leadership and empowering those I work with. Combining the passion of space and service is exactly what the U.S. Space Force is about, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

Cadet Joselyn Rabbitt believes that commissioning into the USSF will provide her the best possibility of achieving her goal of becoming an astronaut. After her freshman year, she interned at NASA and was able to sit in on satellite operations.

“That was the moment I knew space operations was the job for me,” Rabbitt said.

Zane Warden, who is majoring in Applied Meteorology, is also excited to work at the forefront of U.S. space operations.

“It is exciting to be part of something that is new and looks to expand and change how we conduct ourselves in space,” Warden said.

The cadets’ work in the USSF will coordinate seamlessly with the education and training they have received at Embry-Riddle, according to information sent from the U.S. Air Force, which is handling public affairs for the USSF.

“There will be boundless opportunities to use degrees from Embry-Riddle in the USSF, based on the high-tech nature of space operations,” the U.S. Air Force source said, adding that Space Operations Officers oversee space surveillance, space lift, space warning and satellite command and control.

For cadet Thorin Compy, the opportunity to be a part of the USSF straight out of college, and help influence how the organization operates, stunned him.

“I would have never thought I’d be doing anything this cool,” Compy said.

Posted In: Space