S5:E207 VIDEO🎙️LIVE with COL Herman “Jay” Johnson, USA (Ret.)

S5:E207🎙️LIVE with COL Herman “Jay” Johnson, USA (Ret.)

LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS PODCAST WITH COACH BZ | SEASON 5 | EPISODE 207

🇺🇸🪂 FROM ENLISTED SOLDIER TO ARMY COLONEL: GENERATIONAL COURAGE, THE BURDEN OF COMMAND, BROTHERHOOD & THE LEGACY OF SERVICE

I am honored to welcome COL Herman “Jay” Johnson, USA (Ret.) for an extraordinary conversation about 34 years of military service, leadership, sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring power of LEGACY.

📅 Thursday, October 22, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM PT (San Francisco, CA) | 11:30 AM ET (West Palm Beach, FL)
📍 LIVE on LinkedIn → RSVP & Join the Discussion!

🪖 MEET OUR DISTINGUISHED GUEST

At just 17 years old, Jay entered the U.S. Army, initially resenting his father's insistence that he embrace military discipline. That decision would ultimately transform his life.

Over 34 years, he rose from ENLISTED SOLDIER TO ARMY COLONEL, commanding thousands of Paratroopers in the legendary 82nd Airborne Division, supporting Special Operations, and culminating his distinguished military career as Chief of Staff, Joint Staff J-4, at the Pentagon.

His decorations include the Legion of Merit and multiple Bronze Star Medals. Today, he continues serving as Vice President of Business Development at BOH Solutions.

But Jay's story extends far beyond rank and accomplishments.

🎖️ A FATHER'S HEROISM: His father, SSG Herman C. Johnson, received the Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster for TWO separate acts of heroism in Vietnam in December 1969—courage that helped shape his son's understanding of leadership.

🕊️ A FALLEN BROTHER'S LEGACY: Jay continues honoring CPT Hayes “Butta” Clayton Jr., his military and fraternity brother, killed in Iraq on Christmas Day 2006. His memorial bracelet carries the Omega Psi Phi motto: FIETTS—Friendship Is Essential To The Soul.

💡 WHAT YOU WILL LEARN…

✨ How discipline, mentorship, and adversity can transform a young person's destiny.

✨ What it takes to lead thousands of Soldiers while balancing mission accomplishment with their welfare.

✨ Why anticipating logistical requirements is essential to operational readiness and strategic leadership.

✨ How a father's courage and a fallen brother's sacrifice shape a lifetime of service.

✨ Lessons from transitioning military command into corporate executive leadership.

✨ Why CHARACTER, not rank or medals, ultimately defines our legacy.

RANK IS TEMPORARY. CHARACTER IS ENDURING. LEGACY IS WHAT WE LEAVE IN OTHERS.

💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

🗺️ Where are you tuning in from? Drop your city, region, or country!

🙏🏽 What is ONE thing you are grateful for today?

💬 Got a leadership, military transition, or mentorship question for Colonel Johnson? Post it below—we may answer it LIVE!

👇 YOUR TURN:

➡️ What are your THREE biggest takeaways from this conversation?

➡️ What's ONE leadership insight you will apply this week?

➡️ Tag a colleague, junior officer, veteran, or teammate who could benefit from this discussion. ❤️🙏🏾

MISSION FIRST. PEOPLE ALWAYS. 🇺🇸🫡

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