One in a series honoring the Exchange’s 130 years of family serving family
Who he is: Justin Johnson, Sagamihara Express branch manager, Camp Zama, Japan
Years with the Exchange: Six
Military connections: Johnson enlisted in the Air Force in September 1994. During his career, he was a tactical maintenance mechanic (crew chief) on three separate aircraft: F-111s; A-10s; and F-16s. Along with various base assignments in CONUS and the Pacific, Johnson deployed as a crew chief to Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia; Ahmad al-Jaber AB in Kuwait twice; Al Udeid AB in Qatar twice; and Balad Air Base in Iraq.
“It was always fulfilling,” he said. “Every day, depending on what shift I was working, I could be doing maintenance, or I could be working on launching, recovering aircraft or servicing. You never exactly knew what you are walking into. Generally, whatever maintenance I put in on the aircraft, the next day if it flew, that was a great accomplishment.
“I really enjoyed working on A-10s. They were designed for mechanics to work on and not have to find unique ways to bend in certain parts or to get things out.”
Johnson reflected on how much he had grown up because of his Air Force career. “As I look back on it, I tell people I spent a quarter of my life in the military. I went in right after high school, so that helped me progress to who I am. A lot of positives, maybe some negatives, but it has helped me grow.”
Johnson retired in June 2019 as a master sergeant at Misawa AB with the 35th Maintenance Squadron.
Memories of the Exchange: During his deployments, he often sought the comforts of home at the Exchange. “You can only eat at the [dining facility] so much until you miss certain foods. I enjoyed getting a burger at Burger King or a pizza from Pizza Hut that the Exchange had downrange. I also appreciated the vendors they brought in so I could send gifts home to my family and friends.”
What brought him to the Exchange: After serving in the military for 25 years, Johnson wanted to remain in a military environment and take care of people. “I enjoy taking care of the customers. We have children that come here some days, and I help them find items because their parents give them some money, but they don’t tell them how much or they just don’t have any concept of money. So, I will ask them, ‘Let me see what you got. OK, you got $2, so you are in the wrong section. So, let’s go over here.’ You teach them to look at the price tags and the value of what they have in their hands.”
Where he has worked: When Johnson retired from the military, Misawa and Camp Zama left such a good impression on him that he decided to stay to work with the Exchange.
What he did at first: Express customer associate
What he does now: Johnson manages the Sagamihara Housing Area Express, theater and two gas stations
Family serving family: “I try to treat every customer as best as I can. I was always taught a community helps raise a child. When I teach children how to count money, I’m helping further education. I try to follow the golden rule: Treat people like you want to be treated. There are a lot of regulars I get to know just by being friendly. They may mention if somebody in their family or loved ones are sick and I’ll check in, ‘How’s your loved one doing?’ I have realized that every interaction has an impact. Without knowing about it, I helped a person in a dark period just because I was just being nice and talking to them.”
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