The newest division of the U.S. military was established recently and will mark its first anniversary on December 20th. During a presentation at TC Sessions: Space, General John W. “Jay” Raymond detailed how this youngest branch functions much like a developing company.

“In many respects, we function as a startup ourselves,” Gen. Raymond stated. “The National Defense Authorization Act presented us with a significant opportunity – to be innovative, approach challenges with fresh perspectives, begin with a clean slate, and establish procedures that effectively support our operations within the area we are responsible for.”

Gen. Raymond highlighted that a core principle guiding his leadership is the idea that “large organizations move slowly.” He explained that larger entities inherently operate at a reduced pace, and his team has dedicated the past year to “streamlining bureaucracy, minimizing levels of command, and ensuring that the specialists operating our systems are in close proximity to decision-makers, or ideally, empowering them to make those decisions directly.”

To achieve this agility, the Space Force remains relatively small in comparison to the other branches of the military. Last week, Gen. Raymond oversaw the first basic training graduation for the Space Force, with a class of seven recruits joining the existing 2,400 Guardians.

“I am extremely pleased with how our organizational structure is unfolding,” Gen. Raymond said. “I’ve visited several of our units where we’ve implemented this approach, and it’s already yielding positive results. They are operating at a speed that would not have been possible previously. I would emphasize that at every stage, it’s crucial to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure that those who need to make decisions are fully authorized to do so.”

From its inception, the Space Force has demonstrated a firm commitment to gender and racial equality. Gen. Raymond explained this emphasis, stating, “We believe that diversity is a source of strength.” This commitment appears genuine, as the Space Force has received recognition for its balanced representation. The branch’s small size allowed Gen. Raymond to implement a new human capital strategy “that utilizes all available authorities that are currently largely underutilized.”

“We have the chance to integrate diversity from the very beginning, which we anticipate will be a significant advantage,” Gen. Raymond said.

Other military leaders also participated in TechCrunch Sessions: Space. Lt. General John Thompson discussed how startups can most effectively collaborate with the Space Force, outlining his oversight of the research, design, development, and acquisition of satellites and their associated command and control systems for the U.S. Space Force. He currently serves as the Commander of the Space and Missiles Systems Center.

Dr. Will Roper addressed the changes being made to procurement processes to direct funding towards innovative technology companies creating solutions for the military’s most critical challenges in aerial operations. He is focused on increasing the flow of funds – from the $60 billion he manages – to the accounts of entrepreneurs and startups.