Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Christine “CJ” Johnson.

CJ served in the Air Force from 2003 to 2007 as an Aerospace Medical Technician Journeyman.

She served three deployments; two to Iraq and one to Qatar.

During her tour in Qatar, she helped build a casualty unit from scratch and worked along side Qatari doctors and nurses.

She also learned to salsa dance while she was in Iraq with a boom box in a flight hanger.

CJ has been awarded Airman of the Month, Airman of the Quarter, and was nominated for Airman of the Year (2007).

During her third deployment in 2007, all of her fellow medics came together and formed a voluntary team to assist in strengthening foreign relations with neighboring nations, effectively paving the way for humanitarian and medical aid from a foreign nation to save local Iraqis who were wounded in a nearby hospital bombing.  They managed movement of medical teams from Turkey and the transfer of patients from an overflow of mass casualty in Kirkuk, Iraq.  This unique opportunity to service civilians affected by the fog of war sparked inspiration and desire to work in International Affairs and Global Health Diplomacy.  Now, she is finally living out that dream with the Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships at the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Affairs Officer.

CJ has a Bachelor’s in Political Science from University of Illinois and Master’s in Political Science and Foreign Affairs from Northeastern Illinois University.

Thank you for your service, CJ!

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6 Comments

  1. Mickie-Mae Johnson January 19, 2017 at 15:56

    Congratulations Christine! We are so proud of you! Thank you for your service to our country. You are and have always been an extrordinary young lady. You are a true warrior! We are confident of your continued success and forward momentum serving now in the State Department. Ilybats! We love you! Mom and Dad

  2. Mickie-Mae Johnson January 19, 2017 at 15:51

    Congratulations Christine! We are so proud of you! Thank you for your service to our country. You are and have always been an extrordinary young lady. You are a true warrior! We are confident of your continued success and forward momentum serving now in the State Department. Ilybats! We love you! Mom and Dad

    • CJ January 20, 2017 at 14:42

      You deserve all the thanks! Without your love and devotion as parents, I would have never made it this far–you are warriors. You are the true definition of what a strong American family can be, conquering hardship, encouraging your children and keeping your faith through any obstacle, with a multitude of infectious joy and dignity. I am proud and honored to have served for you and all American families alike. Ilybats!

  3. Christine "CJ" Johnson January 18, 2017 at 14:53

    Thank you for the comment, Lee! That is great–we are fellows from multiple categories in life. Years a part, but I bet we have a lot in common. I worked at the VA hospital in Illinois and worked with many Vietnam Vets, so I have empathy. We faced some unique battles in Iraq as well (terrorism is like fighting a ghost sometimes). Worked at the airport, huh–did you ever get a private pilot’s license? That is still a dream. Perhaps someday. Thank you for the good luck, be blessed! -CJ

  4. Lee Swendsen January 18, 2017 at 14:09

    NEIU my alumni. You are truly blessed. Did you attend school after military, on the G.I. Bill? I did the same. But 30 years before your time. Most of the vets that I met and been in Vietnam, and a lot of them if not most of them had emotional scars to prove it. The last time I was on the campus was 1974; two years and junior college, and for years at Northeastern. Had a full-time job, worked afternoons at the airport for a major airline.

    I see nothing but stars and success in your future. Way To Go Girl.

    I would like to wish you luck, but I don’t think you’ll need it.

    • Christine "CJ" Johnson January 18, 2017 at 14:54

      Thank you for the comment, Lee! That is great–we are fellows from multiple categories in life. Years a part, but I bet we have a lot in common. I worked at the VA hospital in Illinois and worked with many Vietnam Vets, so I have empathy. We faced some unique battles in Iraq as well (terrorism is like fighting a ghost sometimes). Worked at the airport, huh–did you ever get a private pilot’s license? That is still a dream. Perhaps someday. Thank you for the good luck, be blessed! -CJ

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