This paper suggests that Air Force doctrine, in general, and space doctrine, in particular, are moving in different directions and that this divergence poses a threat to our future capability as an air and space force. It identifies the airman and the institution as the root cause for this divergence. Airmen think too narrowly in their specialty and work in institutions that resist collective cooperation, broad perspectives, and overarching doctrine. It suggests mentoring airmen with broader perspectives and changing the Air Force institution to be consistent with combining air and space capabilities in an overarching doctrine of air and space power.

The research was prepared by reviewing key air and space doctrinal documents published since 1918 and interviewing people at all levels of involvement in air and space doctrinal development-both inside and outside the Air Force. These sources were combined to analyze the issues and support the thesis.