Jim Johnson received the award for his work while stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Va., but arrived here Feb. 14. Johnson originally enlisted in 1978 as a heavy equipment operator. After six years he opted to retrain into the then social actions career field. After 16 years in the job, Johnson has seen many changes including a name change. The program is more pro-active now.
Discrimination still exists but it's a lot more subtle.
According to Johnson, the MEO program is important to the Air Force because it educates people about ways to avoid conflict. If we can resolve problems at the lowest level, then we don't have a formal complaint, and it's less disruptive to the duty section. Former Headquarters Air Combat Command director of personnel, Col. While at Langley, Johnson was also the primary MEO advisor to the ACC commander, vice commander, director of personnel, director of civilian personnel and 78 base-level MEO chiefs and technicians. ACC senior leaders, Air Force Personnel Center, Air Staff and other major commands turn to him for advice and guidance on most critical, sensitive MEO operational matters.