CYBER SNAPSHOT: Capt. Joshua Lindstrom

Photo By William Roche | Capt. Joshua Lindstrom  

FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

07.23.2018

Story by William Roche 

U.S. Army Cyber Command

Hometown: Fort Riley, Kansas
QUICK SKETCH:
-- Former Army Chemical officer completing cyber training at time of interview
-- Scheduled to attend electronic warfare (EW) qualification course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and serve as EW officer
(NOTE: Rank and position are correct as of time of interview)
ON WHY CYBER AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE APPEALS TO HIM:
“I was a platoon leader in the Chemical branch, and I will always say that being a platoon leader is the best job in the Army. … And I actually worked for a couple of electronic warfare officers, got to see a little bit of what they do, did some study on my own time. … Being able to affect the battlefield in the way of like -- I use the example that blocking radio wave frequencies or microwave frequencies to jam IEDs (improvised explosive devices) -- is an effect that I would like to have if I was deployed. ... I wanted to do something where I felt like I was saving lives and creating a positive impact.”
“Some of the key ways that my actions (as an EW officer) will indirectly affect convoys … will be largely by coordinating training for the electronic warfare guys -- and just regular Soldiers -- in the convoy, ensuring that they understand how to use (EW) equipment. And also in forecasting situations where we believe we need more support -- reaching out to assets in the Air Force and areas like that, coordinating future support, providing additional efforts and even reaching back and coordinating with other cyber officers to get cyber effects.”
“You can apply yourself and make a huge difference, and sacrifice your time, your effort and meet Soldiers that are in your branch, and you can make a huge difference. I met a lot of senior Chemical guys that had a huge impact on myself, had a huge impact on the branch, and they improved the branch and the military as a whole. And those are decisions you make for yourself in any branch. But for me at the end of the day, I wanted to have more of an impact on protecting convoys, or doing those sorts of things.”
ON WHAT ADVICE HE WOULD GIVE YOUNG OFFICERS ABOUT CAREER CHOICES:
“Personally I don't think there's a lot of difference between what I was doing as a chemical officer and what I'll be doing as an electronic warfare officer. But as an officer, period, you're always going to be a small part of a very big team. And it's up to you how large of a contribution you want to make, and at the end of the day, what do you want to be able to say your team did?”

For information on uniformed Army Cyber careers, go to www.goarmy.com/army-cyber.html

For information on Army electronic warfare training, go to http://sill-www.army.mil/EWC/FA29.html

For information on Army cyber civilian career opportunities, select the “Careers” menu at www.arcyber.army.mil

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ABOUT US: United States Army Cyber Command directs and conducts integrated electronic warfare, information and cyberspace operations as authorized, or directed, to ensure freedom of action in and through cyberspace and the information environment, and to deny the same to our adversaries.

• Date Taken: 07.23.2018
• Date Posted: 07.23.2018 20:29
• Story ID: 285430
• Location: FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, US