# Distribution’s Johnson promoted to Army Lt. Col.

/ Published Feb. 26, 2020
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
Defense Logistics Agency Distribution’s Army Lt. Col. Tammy Johnson, joint logistics planner, DLA Distribution Future Plans, was recently promoted during a ceremony held at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Feb. 7.

While family members, friends and guests looked on, Army Col. March Callis, commander, DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, administered the oath of office to the newly promoted Johnson. In his remarks, Callis – who has known Johnson for about six years, and served with her in the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado – shared his experiences with those in attendance.

“Tammy came on board as our support operations officer. In this capacity, she was responsible for orchestrating all of the logistics support rendered to the brigade, during garrison operations as well as combat. It didn’t take me long to realize that in Tammy we had the equivalent of about three people. Energetic, hard-working and diligent, she quickly earned the admiration and respect of her peers, seniors and subordinates alike. She also demonstrated her extremely sound technical competence, specifically as it related to maintenance and transportation support. But perhaps most impressive is how unflappable she is – she’s courageous as hell and tough as nails – I’ve never seen her back away from anything – she always fights through and never quits.”

Callis continued, “When we were at the National Training Center on a rotation before our deployment overseas – as many of you here know, an NTC rotation is pretty grueling – you’re thrown in the crucible for a month straight. Many will crack at different points in time under the pressure, leaving only a tough few to make it through unscathed and having achieved resounding success. Tammy was one of these few. As the support operations officer, the heat was on, but she was up to the task at every pass. Whether organizing and delivering a myriad of supplies to enable the brigade’s defense or opening and closing forward logistics elements to extend the brigade commander’s operational reach, she crushed it. In fact, during the out brief, our observer/controllers mentioned her phenomenal performance specifically. Due in large part to Tammy’s dominance as the support operations officer, the rotation was characterized as the best decisive action rotation to date.”

In her subsequent assignment as the operations officer for the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command in support to the U.S Army North and the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Johnson was the linchpin to the support provided in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, synchronizing all logistics between and among the Department of Defense, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and other government and non-government organizations. Additionally, she deployed in response to Hurricanes Matthew (2016), Harvey (2017), Irma (2017), and Florence (2018). Her work was praised at the highest levels of Fort Bragg leadership.

Previous assignments for Johnson include serving as the battalion S-3 operations officer for the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, deploying to Iraq.  Upon return of the unit, she moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to serve as the Brigade S-4 for the 14th Military Police Brigade.  At Fort Carson, Colorado, she served as the support operations officer and battalion executive officer for the 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, deploying to Kuwait in 2015.

According to Johnson, the Army promotes on potential, determined primarily by evaluations in a few key areas.

“I fulfilled the requirements at my last rank which included attending residential Command and General Staff College while simultaneously earning my master’s degree in Supply Chain Management from the University of Kansas, and doing well while serving in 24+ months of key developmental positions,” said Johnson. “CGSC holds some significance toward promotion (even more significance if you gain an opportunity to command), with residence being weighted more heavily than attendance at a satellite campus.  Finally, a master’s degree is favored at this point in your career.”

Johnson’s additional military and civilian education include Air Defense Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, Combined Logistics Captains Career Course, bachelor’s of science in Animal Husbandry with a minor in Military History from Iowa State University. Her awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC)), Meritorious Service Medal, (2 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal (1 OLC). 

Johnson provided the following for those wishing to further their status in their careers.

“We serve in an ever-changing environment and because of this, it is necessary to set challenging goals and continuously strive to learn the new systems and processes in your specialty. Half of what has made me successful this far has changed in this past year with new initiatives to improve our Army and the talent within. Make sure you are aware of what is required to be successful and have a good mentor who will coach and challenge you as you work toward your goals.”