Engineer Assistant Commandant Promoted

(This article is reprinted with permission from The Guidon.)

The morning star seen on Friday, 5 January, belonged to Fort Leonard Wood's newest general officer, BG Ronald Johnson.

Johnson, assistant commandant of the U.S. Army Engineer School, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in a Friday morning ceremony at Davidson Fitness Center.

"It is with great humility and healthy perspective that I accept this promotion today," said Johnson.

Service members, community leaders, Johnson family members, and friends all gathered to pay tribute to the Chicago native. The ceremony included a static parade formed by representatives from all the units on post. The 399th Army Band was also there to add an air of stateliness to the occasion.

MG Anders Aadland, post commanding general, opened the ceremony, describing Johnson as "a strong leader, outstanding role model for our troops, combat ready Sapper warrior, thoughtful mentor, father, and husband."

"He's had a huge role in the training of our Engineer soldiers and leaders," Aadland added.

Retired LTG Joe Ballard, 49th Chief of Engineers and former commander of the Army Corps of Engineers, was the ceremony's guest speaker. Ballard, a former Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, said the promotion was "a cause for celebration."

"He is just the kind of general officer our Army needs," Ballard said. "He's an excellent leader. He takes care of his people, and he's conscientious and dedicated."

Ballard, along with Clyde Redmon, Johnson's father-in-law, helped pin on the general's new stars. Family members and colleagues cheered as Johnson strapped on the distinctive general officer's belt for the first time.

"It's a great feeling," said Rita Lambert, Johnson's sister-in-law. "We're very proud of Ron and his accomplishments. It's a lovely ceremony, and we're glad to be a part of it."

Taking the stand, Johnson thanked his family for their support. He also thanked his colleagues, mentors, and fellow soldiers by saying, "This really isn't about me. This is about those of you who have contributed to my success."

In closing, Johnson said, "This is a great day to be a soldier. It is a greater day to be a general officer."

Johnson was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers after receiving a bachelor of science degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1976. Johnson assumed duties as assistant commandant of the Engineer School in August 1999. He has previously served as executive officer to the Secretary of the Army and senior aide de camp to the Secretary of the Army.

Johnson has also commanded the 130th Engineer Brigade in Hanau, Germany, and the 14th Engineer Battalion at Fort Ord, California, and Fort Lewis, Washington.

Johnson has a master's in operations research and systems analysis from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. He has also been a mathematics professor at West Point and a 1995 U. S. Army War College Fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

Johnson is married to the former Iris Redmon of Pensacola, Florida. The Johnsons have an 11-year-old son, Ian.

COPYRIGHT 2001 U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center
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