The "Great Moon Race" Revived: Artemis II and the enduring Legacy of Military Excellence
The global excitement for a new "Great Moon Race" is reaching a fever pitch as NASA prepares for Artemis II—the first crewed mission to the lunar vicinity in over half a century. This historic flight will send four astronauts on a high-stakes journey around the Moon, testing the systems required for a long-term human presence on the lunar surface.
As the world watches the countdown to this new frontier, it is impossible to ignore the familiar, steady hand of the American military at the helm of our greatest cosmic ambitions.The Artemis II crew serves as a powerful reminder of NASA’s deep-rooted history of sending military veterans into the unknown.
Two of the four crew members—Commander Reid Wiseman (U.S. Navy), Pilot Victor Glover (U.S. Navy)—bring decades of experience as elite pilots and officers. Their presence in the cockpit continues a tradition that began with the Mercury 7 over 60 years ago, proving once again that the transition from defending our nation to exploring the stars is a natural evolution of service.
This legacy of military excellence in space is anchored by some of the most famous names in history. Neil Armstrong, the first human to walk on the Moon, was a Navy aviator who flew 78 combat missions during the Korean War. He was joined on Apollo 11 by Buzz Aldrin, a West Point graduate and Air Force Colonel who flew 66 combat missions. John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, was a decorated Marine Corps Colonel with 149 combat missions under his belt across two wars.
Other legendary figures include Alan Shepard (Navy Rear Admiral and the first American in space), Jim Lovell (Navy Captain and Commander of Apollo 13), and Eileen Collins, the first female Space Shuttle commander and a retired Air Force Colonel.The transferable skills these veterans bring to the space frontier are truly priceless. The rigorous training of a military aviator—centered on split-second decision-making, extreme accountability, and the ability to manage complex systems under life-threatening pressure—is exactly what is required for the risks of deep space.
As we look toward the Moon and eventually Mars, WeSalute is proud to recognize these "TopVet" pioneers. Their journey isn't just a leap for science; it is a testament to the fact that those who serve on Earth are the best prepared to lead us into the heavens.
