Biography of Captain Bill Johns

United States Navy, Retired

     Captain Johns graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics, a Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) commission and was subsequently designated a P-3C Naval Flight Officer. 

      Captain Johns’ sea duty assignments include serving in several Patrol (VP) squadrons deploying to Keflavik, Iceland and sites in the Mediterranean and the Middle East.  From 2004-2006, he served as Executive and Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron FIVE (VP-5) in Jacksonville, FL where he deployed and also served as VP Task Group Commander in support of counter-narcotic missions in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific; VP Task Group Commander in support of missions in the Mediterranean and overland Balkans and Africa; and VP Task Group Commander in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM; Kandahar, Afghanistan.  Captain Johns also served as Flag Secretary, Aide and Staff Tactical Action Officer to Commander, Carrier Group SIX/JOHN C. STENNIS Battle Group during JOHN C. STENNIS’ 1998 maiden deployment in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and United Nations’ sanctions against Iraq. 

      Captain Johns’ shore duties include serving as VP Fleet Replacement Squadron (VP-30) instructor and as the VP Training Officer to Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Atlantic.  After graduating with a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College in June 2007, Captain Johns reported to the Joint Staff, Strategic Plans and Policy (J5) Directorate, where he served as a Strategic Planner and Deputy Division Chief in the Iraq and Middle East Regional Divisions.  Captain Johns was the Joint Staff representative on the interagency team charged with negotiating the historic Security Agreement, also known as the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), between the United States and Iraq.  CAPT Johns then served on the Navy staff (OPNAV) from May 2010 to May 2013 as a Branch Head for the Navy’s Assessment and Warfare Integration Divisions where he was responsible for assessment and integration of capability investments.

     In May 2013, CAPT Johns reported to the Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy as an Assistant Professor and Curriculum Director for the National Security Policy and Strategy course, Director of the Energy Industry Study, and Eisenhower School's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Academic Chair. 

     In August 2017, CAPT Johns retired from the Navy after 30 years of service and is currently the Senior Naval Science Instructor of the Naval Junior ROTC program at Loudoun County High School.