Zach Johnson Named To Young Marines Advisory Council

The members of the board of directors of the Young Marines, a national youth organization, announce a new member of its Advisory Council – Zach Johnson.

He is a retired Marine Officer who served in recon units, various training and education assignments, and oversight of Marine Security Guard units. Following his retirement, Johnson was a senior consultant, primarily with Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH), in support of Security Cooperation where he managed numerous large contracts. He also served as one of BAH’s ethics advisors.

“Zach Johnson is a superb addition to the Young Marines Advisory Council,” said William Smith, chairman of the board of directors of the Young Marines. “His Marine background includes assignments requiring not only incredible leadership skills but also a deep understanding of training and education, the operational centerpiece of any youth development program. He also brings corporate experience in ethics and risk management. The Young Marines program will greatly benefit from Zach’s leadership and experience.”

Johnson was born in Manhattan, New York City. Raised in Northern New Jersey, he attended St. Benedicts Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from Villanova University, he accepted a commission in the U.S. Marines. Designated an Infantry Officer, he served in Vietnam as Reconnaissance Platoon Commander and team leader earning the Bronze Star. In addition, Johnson was awarded the Purple Heart.

Throughout his 20-year career, he served multiple tours with the Third Marine Division on Okinawa in both command and staff assignments. Serving in supporting establishment postings, he developed significant experience and expertise in manpower, personnel, training, and education. Among the more visible of these were Officer in Charge of the school Marines attend prior to assignment to the State Department, and with the Strategic Analysis and Gaming Agency, Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Johnson earned a Master of Education from the University of Virginia. Upon retirement he earned an MBA from Averett University, Danville, Virginia.

He then began a consulting career supporting the Marine Corps applying his MPT&E expertise to Research Development and Acquisition initiatives and force development of partner nations seeking to establish capabilities to interoperate with US forces in a coalition environment.

This consulting career spanned close to 30 years, 25 of which were with BAH, where Johnson established a set of service offerings supporting national security objectives through Security Cooperation. These services were applied across the spectrum of Defense Cooperation.

He managed numerous multi-million-dollar contracts with the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marines, whereby he had personnel supporting offices in the Pentagon, major subordinate commands, and in overseas locations. He received the firm’s highest award for demonstrating all aspects of the firm’s stated core values, and through a rigorous vetting process, was designated one of 45 Ethics Advisors within the workforce of over 22,000.

In the community he served in the local school district as chair of the Principal’s Advisory Committee. This committee, comprised of school staff, parents, and community representatives, advised the respective school principals on pending financial decisions primarily associated with the discretionary spending of available funds.

As a Boy Scout adult leader, he had direct oversight of all actions at the troop level and served as the coordinator of adult leader training for the district.

A lifelong learner, Johnson has certifications in leadership and career coaching (BCC,) defense security assistance management (DISAM,) and information technology management (University of Denver.)

Well respected in his industry, he has served as the Chairman of the Policy Management and Readiness, the Training Methodologies and Applications of Learning, and the Human Systems Integration Subcommittees of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference.

The Young Marines, based in Dumfries, VA

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to 235 units with 8,000 youth and 2,500 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan, and affiliates in other countries.

For more information, visit the official website at https://www.youngmarines.com.