Sgt. Travis Johnson
By Sgt. David Freydin
4th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
While attending Varina High School in Richmond, Virginia, all Travis Johnson wanted to do after graduation was join the military.
A standout in his school’s Navy Junior ROTC program, Johnson said he found his true calling in the military.
But, things don’t always go as planned. After two failed attempts to join the Air Force and Navy because of vision problems, he was in a state of despair and hopelessness. Diagnosed with glaucoma and a detached retina, Johnson said he had given up all hope in ever joining the military.
All eyes are now on Sgt. Travis Johnson, 24, brigade paralegal, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, who was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant after only two years and 10 months of military service.
“It was a tough time for me,” Johnson said about trying to join the military. “I didn’t take the SAT or make any backup plans, so I was in a really bad situation after getting disqualified.”
After a couple of years of bouncing between work and school, Johnson decided to join the Army after hearing about a waiver program for his eye conditions.
“That was one of the best moments in my life,” he said of receiving the much anticipated go-ahead to enlist as a paralegal in October 2013.
“I wanted to be part of a team that had higher standards and values,” said Johnson. “I also wanted to make my parents and loved ones proud. After being disqualified from the Navy and Air Force, my world was turned upside down. Thankfully, the Army gave me a chance to prove myself.”
Johnson has not only proved himself but has excelled in his military occupational specialty (MOS), fast-tracked to the rank of sergeant and racked up his fair share of accomplishments, all while attending Pikes Peak Community College for paralegal studies.
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In his one and a half years at the 4th SB, Johnson was most notably selected as paralegal of the quarter, among 150; was honor graduate in his Basic Leaders Course, finishing first in a class of 140; and was the only Fort Carson recipient of the 2016 Rocky Mountain Patriot Award that recognizes service members who have demonstrated a profound and abiding love of country, inspirational leadership and selfless dedication.
As one of the newest NCOs in the brigade, he is tasked to assist commanders with all legal action for the 759th Military Police Battalion and 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th SB, including Articles 15, separations, chapters and courts-martial. Additionally, Johnson took on a significant load of legal work for the 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th SB, while his leadership was in training.
In keeping with the 4th SB motto, “Strong Sergeants, Strong Soldiers,” it comes as no surprise that Johnson, who has carried the workload of three paralegals, says a strong sergeant is someone who lives by the saying, “Do as I do, not as I say.”
His accomplishments and stellar work performance earned him the right to be one of 10 Fort Carson Soldiers chosen to attend a Broncos Training Camp this past summer.
Master Sgt. Joanna Mason, Fort Carson command paralegal NCO, said Johnson is one of her top performers and deserves all the fruits of his success.
“He came to me and asked me what path I took to become successful,” said Mason. “That’s just not something you see every day in junior Soldiers.
“I told him if he wants to set himself apart he needs to start taking tough positions, doing things that take a lot of work, and that would set him up for success,” said Mason. “It’s obvious that he has taken the advice to heart. I am super happy for him and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”
Johnson said even though he has to wear glasses everywhere he goes and that most of his work is behind a desk, that doesn’t stop him from succeeding in the military. He has had to make a few adjustments, such as the way he fires his assigned weapon, but he says it’s not slowing him down.
“Just because I sit behind a desk doesn’t mean I can’t do the things an infantrymen does, or even better than they do,” said Johnson. “I take it as a challenge to people who might look down on support MOSs.”
Johnson’s sights are now set on the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club board, staff sergeant promotion board, attending Advanced Leader Course and finishing his degree in paralegal studies.
Johnson said he wants Soldiers to avoid the mistakes he made along the way.
“Always plan for the future and never give up during difficult times,” he stressed.
“I couldn’t have done this without the great leaders and peers at 4SB, who go above and beyond the call of duty,” said Johnson. “They taught me that your experience in the Army is what you make of it. Regardless of your issues, if you put your best foot forward you will get results,” he said.