H.R. 5071House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Space Force Legacy Guardian Recognition Act

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 10:51 AM UTC

The Space Force Legacy Guardian Recognition Act lets the Secretary of the Air Force name certain former Air Force members as honorary members of the Space Force, calling them “Legacy Guardians.” It creates a process for eligible individuals—or their survivors—to apply for the honor and receive a certificate or insignia. The designation does not provide any additional benefits beyond the honor itself. It applies to Air Force veterans who supported space operations and have separated from service.

Key Provisions

Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to establish regulations for designating eligible former Air Force members as honorary Space Force members called “Legacy Guardians.”
Sets eligibility criteria, including service dates and credit, for those who served in support of space operations and have separated from the Air Force.
Creates an application process for eligible individuals or survivors to request the honorary designation.
Provides for a certificate, approved device, or other insignia to recognize the designation.
Specifies that the honorary status does not confer any extra benefits beyond the recognition.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

July 28, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 28, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

July 28, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 28, 2023

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 5071

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 28, 2023

Mr. Bacon (for himself, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Babin, Mr. Lieu, and Mr. Lamborn) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of the Air Force to designate certain separated members of the Air Force as honorary separated members of the Space Force.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Space Force Legacy Guardian Recognition Act.

Authority to designate certain separated members of the Air Force as honorary separated members of the Space Force

Chapter 933 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

9254.

Authority to designate certain separated members of the Air Force as honorary separated members of the Space Force

(a)

Authority

The Secretary of the Air Force may prescribe regulations that authorize an eligible individual to be designated as an honorary separated member of the Space Force. An eligible individual so designated may be referred to as a Legacy Guardian.

(b)

Elements

Regulations prescribed under this section may include the following elements:

(1)

Eligibility criteria, including applicable dates of service and constructive service credit, for designation under this section.

(2)

An application process through which an eligible individual, or a survivor of a deceased eligible individual, may apply for such designation of such eligible individual.

(3)

A certificate, approved device, or other insignia of such designation.

(c)

Rule of construction

Designation of an eligible individual under this section shall not be construed to entitle such eligible individual to any benefit in addition to those established by this section or pursuant to regulations prescribed under this section.

(d)

Eligible individual defined

In this section, the term eligible individual means an individual—

(1)

whom the Secretary of the Air Force determines served in support of space operations as a member of the Air Force; and

(2)

who separates (or previously separated) from the armed forces as a member of the Air Force.