FORT STEWART, Ga. - Empowering Soldiers to further their education is critical to 3rd Sustainment Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Clifton Johnson as he proved by earning his MBA from Trident University International, during the 31st annual commencement exercise, June 24, at Fort Stewart’s main post chapel.
“Today feels awesome. Between two deployments and two re-deployments since I obtained my bachelors degree, it’s been tough but great,” Command Sgt. Maj. Johnson said. “It feels mighty good.”
Like countless active-duty Soldiers who decide to further their education, Command Sgt. Maj. Johnson felt compelled to self improve.
“As leaders in the United States Army, we need to continually get better… I constantly tell my Soldiers you are to get better, you are to improve," said Command Sgt. Maj. Johnson. “What better example than I improve myself.”
According to Command Sgt. Maj. Johnson, he and his battle buddy Col. Shawn Morrissey teamed up to push education to 3rd Sustainment Bde. Soldiers.
“I have 60 percent of my brigade enrolled in school… The more educated you are, the more options you have and with tuition assistance and the post 9/11 GI Bill there is no excuse,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Johnson.
When asked what is his driving force for self improvement? The Alabama native quickly responds by saying his Family and Soldiers.
“Having the best brigade in the Army, you have to be out front. It is about setting an example, said Command Sgt. Maj. Johnson. “After 28 years of service that is something that I’ve prided myself in… self-improvement, I just believe that if I improve as an individual that the Soldiers that I lead will get better as well.”
The Army is made stronger by educated and resourceful Soldiers.
“I came into the Army with my associate degree and the educational benefits here are unbelievable,” Command Sgt. Maj. Johnson said.
He went on to say, “It use to be a time whether you had an education or not it was okay, but now the way the Army has changed that mindset, we are smarter, leaner and tougher … that holistically separates us from other Army’s in the world. Education is very powerful and we cannot under estimate how important education is.”
Education has and still is a constant battle cry in the Johnson household. His wife has two master degrees and his daughter Laquanda is an attorney.
When not fulfilling his full-time obligation, Command. Sgt. Maj. Johnson finds time to attend sporting events, enjoying the great outdoors and reading non-fiction books that teach children and adults to become better human beings or in other words self-help books.
In addition to being an ordained elder at a local Hinesville church he actively works in the prison ministry.
As with many leaders, he speaks passionately about his Army career and the Soldiers who support him.
“I have the best brigade in the Army and I’m truly honored and blessed to be a part of the United States Army and the 3rd Infantry Division," he said.
His next career journey will lead him to the position of commandant of the Noncommissioned Officers Academy at Fort Lee, Va., next year.
Educationally speaking, the sky’s the limit for this professional Soldier who charts new territory with each new assignment.
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