UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE
POSITIONAL COLORS & RANK FLAGS
The United States Space Force, formally established in 2019, is the sixth and newest branch of the US armed forces. It is also the smallest, with about 9,000 personnel. The USSF was previously a US Air Force command, and it remains under the Department of the Air Force, with an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force responsible for space matters.
The ceremonial organizational flag of the USSF has a black field and silver fringe, displaying the insignia of the service, a delta device over a globe, flanked by star fields. (The delta device has been associated with USAF space operations since the 1960s.) The flag’s dimensions are 4 feet 4 inches at the hoist by 5 feet 6 inches on the fly, plus 2 1/2-inch fringe. The USSF Flag is always carried or displayed with a National Color of identical dimensions. The positional colors of the USSF Chief of Staff, Vice Chief of Staff, and Senior Enlisted Advisor are similar to those of the USAF.
General officers of the US Space Force are authorized to display individual flags of rank. Designs are as follows:
All rank flags have a black field with white stars and silver fringe, 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly plus 2 1/2-inch fringe. Fringed rank flags for indoor display and parade use are made of heavyweight rayon banner cloth. Outdoor versions without fringe, known as command flags, are also authorized. These have the same dimensions as the fringed flags and are made of wool or wool/nylon bunting. The command flag is displayed outside a headquarters building only when the general is personally present.
General officers are issued the appropriate fringed rank flag and a corresponding National Color. These flags become the general's personal property and are authorized for retention by the individual upon promotion to the next higher grade or retirement from active duty. Command flags are unit property and are not authorized for retention by individuals. Except for their field color, US Space Force rank flags for general officers are identical to those of the US Air Force. Fringed positional colors and rank flags are always carried or displayed with a National Color of identical dimensions.
Note on the Music: General officers of the US Space Force, including the Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff, receive from one to four ruffles and flourishes according to rank (one per star). When a full band is present, ruffles and flourishes are followed by the "General's March." On this page, the Army Ceremonial Band sounds honors for general officers (open in new tab).
