Bio
David Johnson
Sometimes a person needs a spark to unleash the underlying potential, turning mediocre results into something more. For me, this spark was joining the Marine Corps. Before joining, I was an average high school student at Medfield High, and only a slightly better college student at Northeastern University. I left Northeastern after two years to join the Marine Corps for a variety of reasons, but the biggest was to prove to myself that I could do better. This turns out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself.
In the Marine Corps, I have been able to discover more about my potential as a leader, as well as my intellectual and physical potential. I have pushed myself in every aspect, graduating each Military Occupational Specialty School as the Honor Graduate with the highest GPA and as the Class Leader, as well as pushing myself to achieve a perfect 300 score in the Marine Corps Personal Fitness Test, running 3 miles in 17:50, completing 22 pull-ups, and 100 crunches.
I have searched for ways to better myself academically in addition to my formal military schooling, completing a number of Harvard Business School courses offered through the Navy, as well as becoming a part of the Lean Six Sigma activities in Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29. I have also begun taking the courses that the Navy requires all Corpsmen (Field Medics) to take in order to further my medical knowledge in my spare time, including certification as a Combat Life Saver. Through the Marine Corps, I am currently taking both French and Italian courses, and completed the the first level of each in 2009.
To further my physical discipline, I am actively participating in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) and am currently at the Grey Belt level. I am also an instructor for my Division's BCP (Body Composition Program) for Marines who are overweight or out of shape.
Marine Corps Career
Joined - January 8th, 2008 as a contract Private First Class for college credits from Northeastern University and my Eagle Scout Award.
A-School - NAS Pensacola, FL
Class Leader - Class 08380 May - Aug 2008
Assistant Deck NCO Jun - Aug 2008
Honor Graduate Aug 2008
Marine of the Month Aug 2008
Meritorious Promotion - Lance Corporal Aug 2008
Letter of Appreciation - Commanding Officer for Leadership Aug 2008
AMS-2 Squadron Guide Aug 2008
C-School - Camp Pendelton, CA
Class Leader - Class 08110 Sept 2008 - Jan 2009
Deck NCO Nov 2008 - Jan 2009
Duty Section Leader Nov 2008 - Jan 2009
Honor Graduate Jan 2009
Iron Man Award - Certificate of Physical Achievement Jan 2009
Certificate of Commendation - Commanding Officer for Leadership Jan 2009
Fleet Marine Force - MCAS New River, NC
Alternate HAZMAT NCO Feb 2009 - Mar 2010
Promotion - Corporal April 2009
Deck NCO May 2009 - May 2010
Marine Corps Martial Arts Certification - Grey Belt May 2009
Letter of Appreciation - Commanding Officer for Volunteer Service July 2009
Staff NCO Academy - Corporal's Course Jan 2010
Iron Man Award - Certificate of Physical Achievement May 2010
Additional Schooling:
Lean Six Sigma Courses and Certification - MCAS New River, NC
Lean Six Sigma Certification - Yellow Belt Feb 2009
Lean Six Sigma Course - Green Belt April 2009
Lean Six Sigma Certification - Yellow Belt Instructor May 2010
USMC Combat Marksmanship Coach's Course - Stone Bay, NC
Certificate of Achievement - Honor Graduate Feb 2010
*Note - There is no B-School in the Marine Corps. Just A and C. I know, odd.
** NCO - Non-Commissioned Officer, NCO's are enlisted members of the Marine Corps who are Corporals or Sergeants, though a job labeled as an NCO billet can be filled by a capable Marine, regardless of rank.