USSF Combat Forces Command Guardian Honored with 2025 American Legion Spirit of Service Award

  • Published
  • By John Ayre, Combat Forces Command Public Affairs
PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Specialist 4 Jonathan Ingram has earned the prestigious 2025 American Legion Spirit of Service Award, a national honor recognizing his dual-front impact: safeguarding the nation's space domain and serving his local community. Ingram, a Guardian assigned to U.S. Space Forces Combat Forces Command, was selected from across the armed forces for his extraordinary commitment to volunteerism and service that reflects the highest credit upon the U.S. Space Force.

"Both at work and in my personal life, I place a high value on strong community and relationships, and also on putting others’ needs before my own and doing what I can to help the people around me," said Ingram.

Guardians are deeply woven into the fabric of the communities where they live and work. They serve as dedicated neighbors, mentors, and civic leaders, fostering strong civilian-military bonds and inspire the next generation of innovators, proving that their commitment to service extends far beyond the operational landscape.

Off-duty, Ingram distinguished himself through an extraordinary commitment to volunteerism, embodying the American Legion's values of community, service, and patriotism.

He organized three robotics competitions, coordinating 70 volunteers across three military installations and amassing 150 service hours. His efforts supported 106 robotics teams comprised of 424 students across three states, helping foster the next generation of STEM professionals.

"I’m the most proud of my involvement with Pikes Peak Robotics, as it’s given me a chance to hone my leadership skills as the lead volunteer coordinator for several events, but it’s also a chance to help encourage middle and high school students to pursue their STEM interests in a fun, competitive setting,” said Ingram.

Beyond his work with students, Ingram partnered with three local food banks to collect and deliver 135 pounds of food to families facing food insecurity. Additionally, he dedicated 125 hours leading worship at Peak City Church across 13 occasions, helping foster a sense of connection for 21,000 attendees. This drive to serve has a direct impact on unit morale.

"I have never worked with an individual who takes so much pride in working and helping their community,” said Tech. Sgt. Kyle Weyland, 5th Electromagnetic Warfare Squadron flight chief and Ingram’s direct supervisor, noting that Ingram strives to accomplish every task with great vigor and purpose. "Every opportunity that is presented to Spc4 Ingram, he immediately takes charge and does it. I cannot describe how many times he is the [point of contact] or participates in an event to make the squadron or delta better."

Spc4 Ingram entered the Space Force in November 2023. He completed his foundational training as a Cyber Transport Technician at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., before arriving at his first duty station at Peterson SFB in October 2024.

As a Cyber System Technician assigned to the 5th EWS under Mission Delta 3, Spc4 Ingram plays a critical role managing the configuration of secure command and control networks, providing vital communications support for global intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking operations that drive space control effects.

"As a cyber operations specialist, my day-to-day work ensures the security and functionality of the networks our missions rely on," explained Ingram. "Without cyber operations, our missions could be vulnerable to attacks and exploits that could interrupt critical mission functionality and therefore leave our nation with critical ‘blind spots’ in the space domain."

Weyland noted that Ingram consistently uses his expertise to prevent cyber issues and advance priorities on behalf of the service and national security priorities.

Because the cyber landscape is constantly evolving, defending space systems requires Guardians to be highly adaptable.

“Personally, I love the challenge of a puzzle and the satisfaction that comes from creating a new solution, and that’s what keeps me motivated to keep tackling the daily challenges in a continuously evolving cyber landscape,” said Ingram.

According to Weyland, critical thinkers like Ingram are fundamentally changing how the Space Force uses its cyber personnel to protect and defend infrastructure.

"They are the most critical to evolving cyber capabilities," said Weyland. "These Guardians can be given an issue, and they take their knowledge and training to devise a viable plan that changes the way we operate in the cyber domain."

For junior enlisted Guardians just beginning their careers, Ingram offers simple advice: keep an open mind. "Be prepared for your career to be constantly in a state of change," he said. "No two jobs in the cyber world are alike, and no two days are the same. As long as you approach each situation or challenge with an open, creative mind and a keen attention to detail, you’ll do well."
 

 

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