MOS 8152 Marine Corps Security Force Guard

MERITORIOUS SERVICE WHILE SERVING AS TRAINING CHIEF, MARINE CORPS SECURITY FORCE COMPANY GUANTANAMO BAY, MARINE CORPS SECURITY FORCE REGIMENT FROM MARCH 2020 TO AUGUST 2022. SERGEANT LAWSON'S EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE RESULTED IN THE SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYMENT, INTEGRATION, AND REDEPLOYMENT OF 19 FLEET ANTITERRORISM SECURITY PLATOONS. HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNIT'S ROLE WITHIN THE COMPLEX OPERATING ENVIRONMENT ALLOWED HIM TO EXCEL AS THE COMPANY OPERATIONS CHIEF FOR NINE MONTHS AND RESULTED IN OVER 40 JOINT TRAINING EVOLUTIONS, FOUR AMPHIBIOUS INSERTIONS, AND THE VALIDATION OF A CASUALTY EVACUATION AND FORCE PROTECTION PLAN. ADDITIONALLY, AS THE FACILITIES MANAGER, HE PROCESSED MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED MAINTENANCE TICKETS AND WAS VITAL TO THE COMPLETION OF A 12 MILLION DOLLAR FENCE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. HIS EFFORTS STRENGTHENED NAVY REGION SOUTHEAST AND CUBAN RELATIONS AND ENSURED THE SUCCESS OF TWO NATURAL DISASTER BILATERAL EXERCISES, NINE CUBAN REPATRIATIONS, 26 CUBAN FRONTIER BRIGADE MEETINGS AND 29 CUBAN PENSION TRANSFERS. SERGEANT LAWSON'S INITIATIVE, PERSEVERANCE, AND TOTAL DEDICATION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIM AND WERE IN KEEPING WITH THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.

---

Developed and instructed the first Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) course at Marine Corps Security Force Regiment, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. Facilitated six JLTV courses without any vehicle damage, accidents, or injury to personnel. Training spanned 3,500 miles driven, 340 training hours, and licensed 73 Marines. Evaluated and approved 57 JLTV licensing packages to ensure all students met the requirements for attending the JLTV course and receiving an OF-346.

Safely and efficiently received, offloaded, and maintained accountability of four JLTVs worth over $2,000,000 at Kings Bay.

Instructed and certified 13 reservists from 4th Law Enforcement Battalion in order for them to qualify for deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Trained and licensed 12 Marines from Marine Corps Security Force Battalion to qualify them for their mission in Kings Bay, Georgia.

Trained and certified five licensed Marines within motor transport section to instruct the JLTV course, boosting training productivity by 50%.

Maintained accountability of six JLTVs and supporting equipment valued at $2,500,000 at Marine Corps Security Force Regiment.

---

MOS 8156 Marine Corps Security Guard

For outstanding meritorious service while serving as Detachment Commander, Marine Security Guard Detachments Kuwait City, Kuwait and Beijing, China, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group from June 2018 to June 2021. Gunnery Sergeant Johnston's inspirational leadership was vital to the operational and administrative success of six Marine Security Guard Detachments. He supervised 145 contingency response drills that improved operational preparedness, bolstered local guard forces, and prepared antiterrorism units to combat threats to national security at our embassies and consulates worldwide. His superior technical skill and thorough understanding of embassy security regulations was instrumental in providing comprehensive protection for American citizens and classified information against any threat during a period of heightened global unrest. His exceptional leadership was crucial throughout the pandemic by serving as the senior Detachment Commander for all five Mission China detachments. He supported detachments with gapped commanders and conducted mentorship visits and evaluations for the command when international travel was restricted. He superbly managed the closure of the Chendgu Consulate and redistributed all essential equipment to fulfill critical needs across the region. His selfless actions ensured the operational readiness of each detachment and two region commands. His consistent efforts and esprit de corps enabled his Marines to successfully complete their assigned security missions at each diplomatic mission under his charge. By his noteworthy accomplishments, perseverance, and loyal devotion to duty, Gunnery Sergeant Johnston reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and United States Naval Service.