Colonel Johnson began his military career as an AH-1W Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot and is a veteran of both OPERATION DESERT STORM and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. His flying career culminated when he was selected to command a Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron with the responsibility of supplying all West Coast and Western Pacific Marine Expeditionary Units with attack helicopter detachments. Following that tour of duty, Colonel Johnson was honored to be selected by Commandant of the Marine Corps to activate and command the first Wounded Warrior Battalion headquartered at Camp Pendleton, CA. The mission of this unit is to provide and facilitate accountability, advocacy assistance, non-medical case management, and conflict resolution assistance to all wounded, ill and injured Marines and their families stationed in the Western US and Western Pacific. Most recently Colonel Johnson served at the Pentagon in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate of the Joint Staff where he directed a 42 country portfolio spanning Central, South and Southeast Asia. He and his team of regional experts were responsible for networking with the US Government Inter-Agency, to include the State Department and the National Security Council, and performing intelligence analysis and providing political/military policy recommendations to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Colonel Johnson has over 16 years of teaching experience as a flight instructor and Marine Corps University adjunct faculty member. He holds Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas. His additional professional education includes: Master of Science Degree, National Security Strategy, National Defense University, Washington, DC; Graduate, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico VA; and Graduate, Aviation Safety Officer Course, Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey CA.
Colonel Johnson is the Senior Military Instructor for MCJROTC and the Leadership Department Chair. Colonel Johnson is teaching the Intro to Aeronautics I and II class.
Growing up with an older brother that went to Catholic High, I knew I wanted to be a part of what he always referred to as “The Brotherhood.” I love that I’m able to explore so many of my interests, from joining Broadcast Journalism and JROTC my freshman year to becoming president of the drama club as a junior. As I get ready for college in two short years, I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given at Catholic High that will help me stand out in the application process.
