Chilton , after leaving NASA , became the first NASA astronaut to become a General in the U.S. Air Force ( Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford , USAF , and VADM Richard Truly , USN were three - star officers ) .
Is currently the commander of U.S. Strategic Command .
Chilton , after leaving NASA , became the first NASA astronaut to become a General in the U.S. Air Force ( Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford , USAF , and VADM Richard Truly , USN were three - star officers ) and is currently the commander of U.S. Strategic Command .