Space Force Spc. 3 Jordan Zuniga, Space Delta 15 cyber host analyst, earned a spot at the 2025 Armed Forces Wrestling Championship, representing the Department of the Air Force on its 26-member wrestling squad.
Assigned to the National Space Defense Center at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Zuniga specializes in defensive cyber operations and is now preparing for his second appearance at the championship tournament, set to take place Nov. 14-17 at Fort Bliss, Texas.
"[Cyber operations] demand seamless collaboration between highly specialized teams working towards a common mission goal," Zuniga said.
As a defense cyber analyst, Zuniga's duties include conducting intelligence-driven defensive cyberspace warfare operations alongside mission partners in the intelligence community, assuring the NSDC's space superiority mission by identifying, denying and defending against threats.
While he thinks it may not be readily apparent to some, Zuniga views this job and his passion for wrestling as having a synergistic relationship.
"Wrestling cultivates resilience, strategic thinking, and physical endurance — all of which enhance a guardian's effectiveness," Zuniga said. "Conversely, military service instills discipline, mental fortitude under pressure, and a heightened sense of teamwork and purpose — bolstering a wrestler's performance and mental game."
Zuniga first competed in the championship tournament in 2023, taking last year off to focus on military training. But he didn't grow up wrestling.
"The only reason I had joined the wrestling team was because my high school football coach encouraged everyone to wrestle after football season was over, to improve tackling and stay in shape," he said. "Turns out, I was a decent wrestler."
Zuniga went on to wrestle collegiately at Río Hondo College in Whittier, California, before joining the Space Force. Now, he's found a way to do both and credits the rigors of his job for making him a better competitor on the mat.
"When things don't go as originally planned, we implement our contingency plans at work," he said. "The same goes for when I wrestle. If I feel that I'm not getting the result I'm looking for, I switch my game plan and work towards something that will have more of an effect."
Zuniga says that his leadership has been very supportive of his wrestling pursuits and has encouraged him to push both his physical and mental limits as they've accommodated his training and competition schedule.
Space Force Tech. Sgt. Ruben Puebla, DEL 15 operator and Zuniga's supervisor, knows Zuniga is a vital piece of the NSDC team and mission.
"Spc. 3 Zuniga plays a vital role in Delta 15's mission success as a cyber host analyst," Puebla said. "His efforts are setting the foundation for how Delta 15 executes cyber operations to defend the National Space Defense Center's space superiority mission."
At this upcoming tournament, Zuniga and teammates will compete against the other military services in 10 different weight classes for both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
"Representing the branch in an armed forces wrestling competition is a profound privilege that evokes a deep sense of appreciation," Zuniga said. "The competition is a chance to honor the Space Force by demonstrating its values and capabilities, while also standing alongside the very best athletes from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard."
When asked about his goals for the tournament, Zuniga set the bar high and took the opportunity to offer some advice to prospective military athletes.
"When going into a tournament, I always have a goal of coming in at first place," he said. "If you're a guardian who would like to pursue elite-level athletics, stay focused on your purpose and communicate openly with your leadership. With discipline, balance and the right support, you can excel both in your sport and in your service to the mission."