Three sophomore cadets from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have been selected to commission into the U.S. Space Force, marking a historic first for the university's Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program. Avery Berg, Juliana Boerema, and Gabriel Palmer will become Guardians upon their graduation in 2025.
The trio is part of a highly selective group of 135 cadets chosen from across the nation to join the newest branch of the U.S. armed services. Their selection highlights the growing importance of space as a domain for national security and the caliber of students entering the military's most modern frontier.
Key Takeaways
- Three UNC-Chapel Hill students are the first from their AFROTC detachment to be selected for the U.S. Space Force.
- Avery Berg, Juliana Boerema, and Gabriel Palmer will commission as officers, known as Guardians, in 2025.
- They were chosen from a competitive national pool of 135 cadets for the military's newest branch, established in 2019.
- The cadets will pursue diverse career fields, including acquisitions, intelligence, and space operations.
A New Frontier for UNC Students
The selection of Berg, Boerema, and Palmer represents a significant milestone for UNC's AFROTC Detachment 590. As pioneers from their program, they are set to enter a service branch that is still shaping its identity and operational doctrines.
Lt. Col. Brie Vihlen, commander of Detachment 590, emphasized the competitive nature of the selection process. "As the first AFROTC candidates from UNC, cadets Berg, Boerema and Palmer went through a highly competitive selection process to be selected to become Guardians," she stated. "This is truly a historic achievement, and we’re extremely proud to have the future of the U.S. Space Force right here at UNC!"
What is the U.S. Space Force?
Established in December 2019, the U.S. Space Force is the first new branch of the armed forces created in over 70 years. Its primary mission is to organize, train, and equip space forces to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and to provide space capabilities to the joint force. Its members are known as Guardians.
The creation of the Space Force acknowledged that space is a critical domain for national security, essential for everything from satellite communications and GPS navigation to intelligence gathering and missile warning systems. Guardians can specialize in fields like space operations, engineering, intelligence, and cyberspace effects operations.
Meet the Future Guardians
The three cadets come from different academic backgrounds and have unique motivations for joining the nation's newest military service. Their diverse interests reflect the wide range of skills required to operate in the complex space domain.
Avery Berg: A Future in Acquisitions and Nursing
Avery Berg, a native of Smithfield, North Carolina, is pursuing a degree from the UNC School of Nursing. She joined the AFROTC program, known as Blue Heaven, partly due to her family's military background, with both parents having served in the Air Force.
While she initially joined "on a whim," she quickly found value in the program's focus on leadership and personal development. "My favorite college memories have been alongside my peers in AFROTC," Berg said. "I have been so blessed to have amazing peers to grow with throughout my Carolina journey."
For her career in the Space Force, Berg is most interested in acquisitions, the field responsible for developing and purchasing new technologies and systems. She is also exploring opportunities in intelligence. This summer, she will attend training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama and gain direct experience at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Juliana Boerema: Language, Strategy, and Space Culture
Juliana Boerema of Raleigh is a double major in Germanic and Slavic languages and literatures, and peace, war, and defense. Her interest in the Space Force was ignited during a 2022 research opportunity at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where she studied Russian disinformation and space culture.
"I originally became interested in the Space Force after I was given the opportunity to study Russian disinformation and space culture... I look forward to serving my country in such a unique way."
Boerema sees joining a new branch as a chance to help shape its professional culture from the ground up. She credits her AFROTC experience with teaching her the complexities of effective leadership. Her summer plans include field training at Maxwell AFB, followed by a professional development program focused on nuclear command and control in space operations at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.
Gabriel Palmer: A Goal Fulfilled
For Gabriel Palmer, a management and society major from Cameron, North Carolina, joining the Space Force has been a long-term goal. "I am proud to have this opportunity as it has been a goal of mine to join the Space Force since its establishment," Palmer shared. "It’s an honor to have this goal fulfilled."
Preparing for Service
All three cadets will attend a 17-day ROTC training evaluation at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. This intensive program is a critical step in their development as future military officers, testing their leadership skills and military knowledge before they enter their final years at UNC.
Palmer is drawn to the intelligence field, where he hopes to apply his understanding of history and strategy. He values the ambitious community he found within the AFROTC, noting how his peers have pushed him to improve. "They influence me by pointing out where and how I can improve my abilities, which has led to a better experience at Carolina," he said.
Paving the Way for Future Generations
The selection of these three cadets establishes a new pathway for UNC students interested in military service beyond the traditional branches. As the first to transition from the university's AFROTC to the Space Force, Berg, Boerema, and Palmer are not only embarking on their own careers but also setting a precedent for those who will follow.
Their journey reflects a broader shift in national defense priorities, where the challenges and opportunities in space are becoming central to global security. As they prepare to become Guardians, they carry the distinction of being pioneers from one of the nation's oldest public universities, ready to lead in its newest military service.