Navy veteran from Marion supports U.S. Navy in Suffolk

Johnson continues to serve even after his retirement from Navy

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Osborne

Navy Office of Community Outreach

SUFFOLK, Va. – Michael Johnson, a native of Marion, Arkansas, supports the U.S.

Navy assigned to Commander, Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR).

Johnson graduated from Marion High School in 1993.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Marion.

“Growing up in Marion, I learned about hard work and having faith in God and family,” said Johnson. “Those values took me all over the world and helped me obtain the rank of chief petty officer.”

Johnson served in the Navy for 23 years before retiring as a chief yeoman. Today, Johnson serves as a DoD employee.

“When I joined the Navy, I was not doing what I was supposed to do at college and I desired to leave my small hometown,” said Johnson. “I went to the recruiting office to join the Air Force, but they weren’t in, so I listened to the Navy recruiters tell sea stories while I waited. That convinced me that the Navy was the service to join.”

Navy information warfare (IW) plays a role in every Navy mission, every day, around the globe. NAVIFOR’s mission is to ensure the more than 60,000 IW sailors and civilians in the fleet – experts in cyberspace, communications, intelligence, meteorology, oceanography, cryptology, electronic warfare and space – are trained, equipped, certified and ready to meet the Navy’s warfighting missions. “Information Warfare extends from seabed to space, and is critical to our Navy’s success in competition, crisis and conflict,” said Vice Adm. Mike Vernazza, the Navy’s IBoss and commander of NAVIFOR. “The more than 60,000 IW professionals across the globe are our asymmetric advantage – their expertise, professionalism, imagination and creativity are key to our Navy overcoming any adversary at pace and at scale.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Johnson serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day,” said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations.

“Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.”

Johnson has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest moment was when my wife, son and daughter pinned my chief anchors on my collar,” said Johnson. “I was the first member of my family to achieve a senior non-commissioned officer rank. My son joined the Navy in 2019 and is currently on USS Harry S.

Truman. I would like to pass on my legacy anchors to him if he is selected as a chief

See NAVY, page A3

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sierra Garcia NAVY

From page A1

petty officer in the future.”

Johnson can take pride in serving America through military service. “My feelings about serving in the Navy embody what President Kennedy said about not asking what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” said Johnson. “My Navy life was full of travel and meeting worthwhile people and left me proud and satisfied.”

Johnson is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. “I want to thank God for his protection and the many blessings he has given me,” added Johnson. “I also want to thank my first chief, Chief Yeoman Loggains, who looked beyond my errors and mentored me after my mistakes. Most of all, I want to thank my wife, Marianita, and my children who motivated me to go a little longer when I wanted to retire.”