MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- His Marines know him as their career planner; his boxers know him as their coach; and his family knows him as a great husband and father. What those jobs and titles have in common, when it comes to one man, is the passion and devotion he has for each one.
After establishing a love for boxing at a young age, Staff Sgt. Jack Johnson, career planner, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, joined the Marine Corps at the age of 19 in order to pursue a career in the sport through a more structured organization than the city club where he first began boxing.
“Unfortunately, I ended up stationed in Twentynine Palms, California,” said Johnson. “It wasn’t a bad duty station, but they didn’t offer a boxing program to the Marines there, and then I broke my finger and couldn’t put a glove on anyway.”
Since then, he has taken it upon himself to put together the Fighters Unlimited Boxing team for Marines, Sailors and civilians who are willing to dedicate their time to the sport he is so fond of.
“The individuals here needed this program,” he said. “Boxing isn’t for everyone, but those who are willing to come out and stick with it gain a lot of knowledge, experience and pride through the sport.”
As a Kansas City, Mo. native, Johnson grew up in the suburbs. Since joining the Corps, he has been on seven deployments to six different countries including, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Japan.
He has been married for 14 years and has three children, ages 3, 12 and 15.
“I have one child for each war, the Gulf War, Somalia and Enduring Freedom,” he chuckled, “I’ll be in trouble if another war pops up.”
Johnson’s most recent career boost was when his Marines returned from Afghanistan and some had to face the decision of reenlisting, extending for Iraq, or moving on to civilian life.
“I spoke to those who had to make the decision and ended up getting one hundred and twenty-eight to volunteer to extend and stay with their brothers for the upcoming deployment.”
According to Johnson, more Marines ended up staying in than getting out, and the 128 Marines didn’t even include those who decided to reenlist.
“My job is to advise Marines and make sure they make the right decision,” he explained. “In my job, I have to take care of the Marine in front of me to make sure they get the most they can out of the Marine Corps. I think if you are doing anything different than that, then you are in the wrong business.”
Johnson originally joined the Corps as a mortarman, but then got out of the Marines four years later, only to return to the Corps, get out and join the Army, then return to the Corps one last time.
“I don’t regret getting out, initially, because I learned a lot, and I think the experiences I gained help in my current job,” he explained. “I can tell my Marines, from experience, that the novelty of getting out quickly fades and you begin to miss things about the Corps.”
Although, at one point in his life, Johnson said he had second thoughts about the Corps, his stance now is nothing but a positive outlook.
“I have gotten everything I wanted out of the Marine Corps, I achieved everything I wanted to, and I think I have the best job you can have,” he explained, enthusiastically. “I want every Marine to have the same type of career that I had.”
Johnson said he takes his job “as serious as a heart attack,” but wouldn’t change a thing about it.
“I would do whatever it takes to do my job,” he said. “I think regret is one of the worst things to have in life, and if I can prevent someone from making the wrong decision about life, then I know I am doing the right thing.”
As for the future, Johnson said he is not exactly sure what will pan out in the Marine Corps for him, but he does have two goals.
“I want to do what Don King did for the sport of boxing.” he said. “I also want to live a long time and watch my family grow.”
As for advice for Marines considering getting out of the Corps, he has these words of wisdom.
“Get to know your career planner, and reenlist as many times as the Marine Corps will let you. Everything else in life comes easily.”