ORLANDO, Fla. (AFNS) — Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna emphasized the “Guardian Experience” and its impact on the Space Force during his keynote during the Space Force Association Spacepower Conference in Orlando, Dec. 10.
As a key theme throughout his keynote, Bentivegna shared how Guardians are exemplifying his three initiatives: ‘Elevate the Journey’, ‘Cultivate the Warfighter’ and ‘Create the Future’— and stressed how important Guardians are to continuing to drive the evolution of the Space Force.
“Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to release my key initiatives called the ‘Guardian Experience’,” Bentivegna said. “There are several initiatives that I have that talk about why we serve, why it’s so critical that we do what we do, and the journey that every single Guardian is on.”
Beginning by detailing the Elevate the Journey initiative, Bentivegna described how much value the Space Force places on ensuring Guardians and their family members quality of lives and quality of service is.
“We don’t get into the defense business because this is easy,” Bentivegna explained. “[Serving] is hard. There are sacrifices associated with what we do every single day, so elevating that journey and making it meaningful is extremely important.”
Bentivegna highlighted multiple Guardians exemplifying the Elevate the Journey initiative, including the Guardian Resiliency Team, and described how the Space Force is applying a holistic health approach to ensure the quality of life so Guardians can be the best versions of themselves — physically, mentally and spiritually.
“Let’s educate and train you and help you get there,” Bentivegna said. “Not only is it an investment in the Guardian, it’s an investment in the nation.”
He then connected Elevate the Journey to the ‘Cultivate the Warfighter’ initiative by reinforcing Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman’s six truths.
“Space is a warfighting domain,” Bentivegna said. “It’s not a collection of warfighting activities … We have to cultivate the warfighter across the service. [Guardians] are a member of the Department of Defense.”
Bentivegna added on to how Guardians across the force are actively cultivating the warfighting mentality by understanding the threats to the space domain and leveraging their expertise and tactical skillsets to respond effectively and efficiently through training and partnerships.
“We are developing and growing our Guardians who are [junior enlisted] so that they understand what it means to be a warfighter in the United States Space Force, helping make sure they not only have to lead teams but also think outside the box,” Bentivegna said.
By elevating the journey and experience and cultivating the warfighting mindset, the Space Force postures its Guardians to develop themselves while also building the Space Force.
“We have to think about: ‘How do we create the future?’” Bentivegna said. “We have to build partnerships … We have to make those investments and those decisions today to get us where we have to go.”
At the core of the “Guardian Experience” is providing meaningful quality of life, service, experience and needs for Guardians and their families, and ensuring Guardians can operate in a constantly evolving environment. By Elevating the Journey, Cultivating the Warfighter and Creating the Future, the Space Force is postured to protect the present.
“That is the culture we are building in the United States Space Force,” Bentivegna said. “You matter. You’re important. You have teammates that care about you … There’s more opportunities ahead of us, and we need you to help get us there and take advantage and embrace those opportunities.”
This "CMSSF provides updates, emphasizes Guardian Experience during SFA" was originally found on https://www.spaceforce.mil/News/
