One Guardian: Evolution of service Published Oct. 13, 2023 It’s best to fail forward. The most important lessons are often learned in the absence of success, where failure can be leveraged as the driving force of progress. As the Chief of Space Operations, Gen. Chance B. Saltzman, has said - space is now more contested than ever. The challenges we face today are not the ones the Department of Defense has been focused on for decades. Standing up the Space Force was a critical move towards adapting to these new and emerging problem sets. U.S. Space Force Senior Master Sergeant Nathan Tabbert, Space Delta 7’s Staff Superintendent, is embracing the churn of standing up a new service and leaning on the mental agility and humility ingrained in him during the 20 years he spent in the Army. These two skills have proven invaluable since he transferred to the U.S. Space Force in September 2022. “I’m proud of my role in guiding my unit, through its growth and evolution,” said Tabbert. “In the last year we’ve activated three new squadrons, our staff has grown significantly in duties and responsibilities. As superintendent, I am expected to advise and mentor individuals who have just as much if not more experience with the Department of the Air Force. So, I acknowledge my knowledge gaps, stay proactively curious, and keep an open mind.” While Tabbert was serving as the Company First Sergeant for Bravo Company, 24th Military Intelligence Battalion in early 2022, he learned the difference between readiness and being ready. Simply maintaining requirements is not always enough to guarantee mission success in a domain as dynamic as space. Now and in the future, we must be laser focused on the great power competition and faithfully committed to creating the structures and processes we will need to be successful. In this environment, it is imperative we embrace the process of failing forward -- through intention, innovation, and persistence while accepting the inevitability of the unknown. As much as we know about space and the opportunities and risks which exist there, the unknowns are greater. This awareness paired with a commitment to pursue success through failure ensures we are truly ready to meet today’s challenges while simultaneously anticipating and adapting to future requirements as part of the joint force. Tabbert spent the better part of 20 years as an intelligence analyst for joint missions. From then Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. to U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden, Germany, Tabbert learned the value of versatility in approach and diversity in thought to the joint warfighter. In this modern era, every mission is a team effort with Guardians often emerging as the star players due to the integral nature of space. “I look forward to the Space Force distinguishing itself from other services while still being part of the joint team,” explains Tabbert. “I hope we maintain our quirky, even nerdy, spirit of innovation while tempering it with the experience and confidence to execute the mission whenever, wherever, and better than anybody else in the world.” Tabbert was starting to plan for retirement, unable to meet the physical demands of the Army after 20 years of wear and tear. The opportunity to transfer meant he could continue serving. While he is grateful for his time as a Soldier, he doesn’t regret retiring ‘the knife hand’ to invest in the Guardians who make up our newest military service. “Whether off the street or from a different service, people become Guardians because they want to help shape something new,” said Tabbert. “I believe it’s worth it. I know we will all look back on our four, ten or twenty years of service and be proud of our contributions. I already am.”