Colonel James Johnson

COL James “Jay” Johnson is a native of Killeen, Texas and was commissioned as the ranking Lieutenant for Field Artillery at Sam Houston State University in May 2002.

COL Johnson served in a variety of company-grade assignments at Fort Hood, TX where he first deployed to Tikrit, Iraq. COL Johnson commanded Alpha Battery 1-21 FA (Assassins), 41st Fires Brigade, and deployed the unit to Camp Bucca, Iraq from April 2008 to July 2009. Subsequently, he commanded Alpha 26th Target Acquisition Battery (Wolfpack).

As a Field Grade Officer, COL Johnson served as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. After duties as APMS, he attended the Naval College of Command and Staff. Upon graduation, COL Johnson served as the Advisor to the 1st Field Artillery Battalion, Saudi Arabian National Guard. Upon redeployment, he was assigned to 2-2 FA (Big Deuce) as the Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer (XO). He continued as the Battalion XO of 1-30 FA (Hard Chargers), before assuming duties as the XO to the Field Artillery Commandant. Following XO duties, he served as the Senior Instructor of the Joint Firepower Course at Nellis AFB. He then returned to Fort Sill, OK to command 2-2 FA (Big Deuce).

Following battalion command, COL Johnson was selected as the Senior Fire Support Trainer (Wolf 07) at the National Training Center, followed by attendance at the Army War College. COL Johnson currently serves as the Army Capability Manager for Field Artillery Brigades and Long-Range Fires Battalions.

COL Johnson possesses a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies and National Security from the Naval War College, and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.

COL Johnson’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (8 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Superior Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal (1 Star), the Iraq Campaign Medal (1 Star), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 4), the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

He is joined in life and career by his wife, Mrs. Kelly Johnson.