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JBSA News
NEWS | Jan. 31, 2025

COMMENTARY: Be the Bolt: A call to all cyber, signal, IT, electronic communication professionals

By Lt. Col. Gilbert S. Perez & Chief Master Sgt. Sarah Wolf 502d Communications Squadron

Throughout history, the lightning bolt has been an iconic symbol of many things, the flash of inspiration, disruption against the status quo, charge of power, and strike of lethality. These attributes should orient cyber military leaders to operate with unwavering power and speed, as we make every effort to be that bolt!

The lightning bolt is synonymous with military communications to include cyber, signal, IT, and electronic communication units for every branch of the military. The ability to shoot, move, and most importantly “communicate” have been staples for readiness in the battlefields where the military instrument of national power is not only necessary, but required to secure success.

Retired Brig. Gen. Chad D. Raduege, former Director of the Command, Control, Communications and Computers/Cyber Directorate, and Chief Information Officer, Headquarters U.S. European Command, highlights the importance of the bolt lineage.

“Our heritage of cyberspace and communications excellence,” he said, “is embodied by the passion to connect people, units, and ideas to a cause that is greater than oneself.”

Graphic showing six cyber shields
Cyber Shields
Six cyber communication field shields.
Photo By: Courtesy Graphic
VIRIN: 250129-F-YO447-9005

The true strength and power of the bolt isn’t the technology, rather it’s the people who manage, allocate, and deliver cyber capabilities across the force. Cyber professionals have a disciplined approach to managing the network and maximizing these capabilities for the warfighters. Our people are the nation’s sword and shield, they are the bolt!

In this congested, contested, and competitive digital environment, being the bolt is a commitment to channeling one’s knowledge, skills, and expertise to be a force multiplier, propelling us into a future where technology is a beacon of innovation, source of competitive advantage, and connectivity into a brighter future. The bolt delivers military options from the boardroom to the battlefield by defending nations critical assets and delivering effects at the speed of need.

"Our warfighting advantage comes from our commitment to mission command in empowering the lowest echelon to the maximum extent, and that demands a promise of trusted and reliable communications,” said Col. Joshua H. Rockhill, 688th Cyber Wing Commander. “We embrace, be the bolt, to keep us focused on that promise.”

To be the bolt, is to be a professional, committed to advancing and protecting the highly reliant cyber ecosystem. More importantly, the bolt aims to strengthen the digital fabric for its associated organization, sector, and nation.

Retired Col. Michael B. Black, former White House Communications Agency Commander, emphasized, “To ‘be the bolt’ requires a propensity to build strong partnership between government, industry, and academia to ensure national security is prepared for Great Power Competition.”

The 502d Communications Squadron proudly embodies the "be the bolt" mentality, symbolizing strength, unity, and excellence across all domains — land, sea, air, space, and cyber. As cyber professionals, they remain steadfast in their commitment to upholding the values of their storied lineage, delivering national power with unwavering dedication.