First Sergeant Jonas A. Johnson was born in New Orleans and raised in Ponchatoula, Louisiana. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 18 September 2001 and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Upon graduation, he was promoted to the rank of Private First Class. He reported to the School of Infantry West, Camp Pendleton, California for Marine Combat Training in March 2002 and was then transferred to the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia where he earned the Basic Musician MOS.
In November 2002, Private First Class Johnson reported to the 2nd Marine Division Band at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for duty as a trombone instrumentalist. He was promoted to Lance Corporal in April 2003 and Corporal in October 2003. During this time, Corporal Johnson was collaterally assigned as a Stability and Support Operations Instructor in preparation for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following his promotion to Sergeant in January 2005, he deployed to Ramadi, Iraq where he served as a Sergeant of the Guard for Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.
Sergeant Johnson then received orders to report to the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band in Okinawa, Japan in January 2006. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in June 2008 and his duties as a musician continued until he requested orders to Drill Instructor School.
In October 2008, Staff Sergeant Johnson reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego for instruction as a Drill Instructor School student. Staff Sergeant Johnson was selected as the Honor Graduate and assigned to Company A, 1st Recruit Training Battalion where he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. In July 2011, he successfully completed his tour with 1st Battalion and executed orders to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina.
Upon arrival at Parris Island, Staff Sergeant Johnson resumed his duties as a musician and was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in April 2012. In June 2013, Gunnery Sergeant Johnson was reassigned as the Headquarters Company Gunnery Sergeant.
First Sergeant Johnson was promoted to his current rank in January 2015 and returned to Camp Lejeune for duty as the Company First Sergeant for Company A and Headquarters and Service Company, 2d Tank Battalion, 2d Marine Division. In December 2017, he was transferred to 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment to serve as the Weapons Company First Sergeant.
In June 2018, First Sergeant Johnson transferred to Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico for duty as the Company First Sergeant for Headquarters Company and assumed his current assignment as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Security Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico in March 2019.
First Sergeant Johnson’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with one gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars in lieu of third award and he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Park University.