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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Army Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
SFC Troy Johnston US Army (1994-Present)
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY?
 I had always been interested in the service from looking at my fathers, uncles and grandfathers pictures. I was always interested in aircraft and was drawn specifically to military aircraft. I joined the Civil Air Patrol and my time there secured my future. As time went on, I was drawn to the Marines... not quite sure why, but there was something there that I wanted. Never got into aviation, but started focusing on law enforcement. I eventually worked my way into the Army as an MP. As I look back, it was a path that I started on when I was very young. Boy Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, Police Explorers and then on to the Marines. At first, I wanted a career, then later found that I really wanted to be a Police Officer.
WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?
 Tried to be an MP in the Marine Corps, and got Infantry with a tour in Security Forces. After my tour at Yorktown, it was on to the Fleet. I transitioned to the civilian sector and life was not too comfortable, especially in Southern California. I put my efforts back into the military and found that I had the opportunity to follow my path in law enforcement in the Army. My career has been law enforcement driven since - DARE, Protective Services, Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant during Law Enforcement, Traffic NCOIC and NATO in Germany, where the road was our only mission. I enjoy law enforcement and look forward to working in this area upon my retirement from active duty.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF SO, COULD YOU DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANT TO YOU?
 I participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2008 through September 2009. I was assigned to Join Task Force 134 as the Current Operations NCOIC in Baghdad. We were located on Lost Lake on Camp Victory. We were responsible for all Detainee Operations in the Iraqi Theater and for the residence of the City of Ashraf.
WHICH, OF THE DUTY STATIONS OR LOCATIONS YOU WERE ASSIGNED OR DEPLOYED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
 I have great memories from all of my duty stations and deployments. Each assignment had a special event or meaning to me. Although each assignment had its difficult times, I never had a bad posting. Meeting my wife while in San Diego, daughter born in Europe, son born at Fort Riley, there were great people and experiences while on deployments as well as seeing the world and too many to describe.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
 Best memories were from being a DARE Officer. It was a great time, and very rewarding. I met many great people who shaped and developed me into the person I am today. The school (both students and faculty) I worked with was great, the leaders quickly shaped and molded me and the location (Brussels, Belgium) was probably the best.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 The most meaningful is the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge. I received it during my tour on the Protection Team while assigned to the US Delegation to the NATO Military Committee. I had a great boss, some great friends and the work was awesome. It is a badge that reminds me of hard work and trying times. There are some people that are priceless. Their knowledge, motivation and character and some that make you a better person in the end. The badge brings back a lot of memories, great memories and a great period in my life.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 LTC (now COL) Isbell was the first person in the Army that gave me developmental advise. He made a lasting impression on me and set the tone for my career. But the one individual that made the biggest impact had to be Steve Reagan. He is a civilian DA Police officer on Fort Riley. My time in traffic was a huge learning curve. Dealing with a civilian work force and the intricacies of a major police department were difficult. He was there to make me work myself through it, and mentored me the entire way. I greatly appreciate the time and effort he placed into my development and the knowledge I got from it.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
AHHH, Menz! Menz was a German Sergeant MP that was in my platoon while at NATO in Germany. He was a great guy, but seemed to be the one that everyone picked on. For some reason, he asked for it every time and would pretty much poke at you  until you ddecided to mess him up. This one particular time, it was toward the end of the duty day, and he had been poking all day long. I finally got fed up with him and while he was standing with his back to me, I grabbed a roll of duct tape and wrapped him up from neck to ankles. He hobbled his way over toward the entrance to the MP Desk and happened to fall right there. I happened to duck down to put the roll in the garbage when the Provost Marshall, a German LTC, walked in thought the entrance that Menz was laying in, all taped up. The LTC looked at him and asked "so how are things going today Menz". No crap, Menz layed there, looked at him and said "ah, you know, the usual sir. Just tied up with too many things to do right now. Pardon me as you pass by sir". Great kid. He made life interesting.
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB?
 I plan on going into law enforcement when I retire. Currently, I am an Instructor for the US Army Military Police School, teaching at the Anti Terrorism Officer Basic and Advanced Course and also teach at the Conventional Physical Security Course.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of the Military Police Corps Regimental Association. It is a non profit organization that helps Military Police Corps Soldiers and their families in time of need. There are scholarships for our children, emergency funds for all, maintains our heritage and history and a great networking organization within our Corps.
HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
 I approach each day with a clear mind, knowing not to expect anything. What I may want or need today, is a far cry from what is going to happen. How I find myself in the midst of all the confusion for the day defines me and gives me my sense of purpose. My daily plan is to plan for the unexpected, knowing that no matter what, somebody needs something more than me.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?
 A Gunny told me a long time ago, if you want to survive the military, all you have to do is three things:
1. Be where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there.
2. Do what you are told to do, when you are told to do it.
3. Don't bitch.
If you follow these three simple rules, you survive the military. If you want to excel, add another rule to the list. I have tried to live out my career with these in mind and I think it has done me right so far.
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU MAINTAIN A BOND WITH YOUR SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
I can always look back and see the people who have helped me get to where I am at today. Be it someone from WWII, Vietnam or OIF, the men and women here on this site have a great thing in common. Sharing our memories, stories, pictures and so on help maintain a valuable part of our lives. It reminds us of the good and bad, gives us giggles and tears and keeps a part of history alive for all to see.
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TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact TWS Voices HERE.
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LTC (now COL) Isbell was the first person in the Army that gave me developmental advise. He made a lasting impression on me and set the tone for my career. But the one individual that made the biggest impact had to be Steve Reagan. He is a civilian DA Police officer on Fort Riley. My time in traffic was a huge learning curve. Dealing with a civilian work force and the intricacies of a major police department were difficult. He was there to make me work myself through it, and mentored me the entire way. I greatly appreciate the time and effort he placed into my development and the knowledge I got from it.
until you ddecided to mess him up. This one particular time, it was toward the end of the duty day, and he had been poking all day long. I finally got fed up with him and while he was standing with his back to me, I grabbed a roll of duct tape and wrapped him up from neck to ankles. He hobbled his way over toward the entrance to the MP Desk and happened to fall right there. I happened to duck down to put the roll in the garbage when the Provost Marshall, a German LTC, walked in thought the entrance that Menz was laying in, all taped up. The LTC looked at him and asked "so how are things going today Menz". No crap, Menz layed there, looked at him and said "ah, you know, the usual sir. Just tied up with too many things to do right now. Pardon me as you pass by sir". Great kid. He made life interesting.
