The Space Force could turn President Donald Trump's proposed U.S. Space Academy into a new source of highly skilled civilian employees while continuing to rely on the Air Force Academy to produce military officers, the service's top officer said Tuesday.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Douglas Schie highlighted the potential dual role of the academy during remarks that emphasized efficient use of existing military education pipelines. The approach would allow the Space Force to draw specialized civilian expertise without expanding its officer training infrastructure.

The Space Force, established in 2019, has maintained close ties with the Air Force for personnel development. This strategy aligns with efforts to build a lean force focused on space operations, cybersecurity, and related technical fields. Civilian hires from a dedicated Space Academy could fill critical roles in engineering, analysis, and support positions.

Trump first proposed the U.S. Space Academy as part of broader initiatives to strengthen American leadership in space. The plan envisions an institution dedicated to space-focused education, complementing rather than duplicating military academies.

Service leaders have stressed the need for a mix of uniformed personnel and civilians to meet growing demands in the space domain. By leveraging the new academy for civilians, the Space Force aims to accelerate workforce development while preserving the Air Force Academy's role in commissioning officers.

This model reflects ongoing priorities for cost-effective expansion of space capabilities amid increasing international competition in orbit. Officials continue to evaluate how the academy could integrate with current recruitment and training programs.