Johnson, Frederick, MUSN

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I was a freshman at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, majoring in computer science and chemistry to satisfy my overbearing stepfather's wishes that I become a doctor (like him). I wasn't doing very well, really didn't like it, and had no marketable skills, so the Navy was an attractive option. I figured I could learn a trade, do some traveling, be taken care of, and maybe even grow up a bit.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I joined the Navy as a Nuclear Propulsion Plant Trainee (Electrician's Mate), attended RTC Great Lakes, followed by BE &E and EM 'A" school but didn't make the cut for Nuke school in Orlando. During my time at Great Lakes, I got to know the chaplains at the CREDO center, who in turn set up a concert for me to play the piano. The concert got the notice of the director of Navy Band Great Lakes, CWO4 Doyle Church, who advised me that if I wanted to cross-rates and join the Navy Band, I would need to do at least 12 months at a fleet assignment. I was assigned to the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 where, as an EMFN, I did several jobs while she was in drydock. I worked in S2M doing scullery duty, I did fire watch for the welders, I worked in the Jet Shop, I worked in Motor Rewind Shop, and eventually became the E-Division yeoman for ENS Willy Hough.

While on the ship, I played the organ for several funeral and celebratory services and eventually was a charter member of the ship's band, numbering some 30 individuals. While doing this, I requested permission to audition at the Navy School of Music in Little Creek, VA, where I was successful. With the permission and support of some very good Senior Chiefs (thank you EMSCPO Punzalon!), I received permission to leave the Kennedy, cross-rates, and enter Music School.

I graduated Valedictorian of my class, which for some service schools doesn't come with many perks, but in this case, gave me my choice of duty station. Remembering CWO4 Church's kindness and support, I choose Navy Band Great Lakes. I completed my enlistment as part of that fine group of professional musicians.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My time aboard Big John (USS John F. Kennedy CV-67) was life-changing, both good and bad. I never worked so hard in my life, nor had so much fun. At the time, I don't think I realized how surreal the entire experience was. My best friend EM3 Kent Secor and I used to drive over to Virginia Beach on weekends, cruising the strip, trying (unsuccessfully, I might add) to pick up girls. Later during work-ups, Big John visited the Bahamas, where I scuba-dived for the first time, and Port Lauderdale where my family had a house, so I got to spend some winter months in a great climate, having fun, and seeing family. Course all of that came after work-ups off the East Coast, often in very cold weather. But this time still reigns as my favorite.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The Kennedy (USS John F. Kennedy CV-67) served as the master of ceremonies platform in New York Harbor in July of 1986 for the Statue of Liberty Re-dedication ceremonies. President Ronald Reagan came aboard and lit the fireworks that were set up in the harbor. Multiple sites simultaneously running the same firework displays all set to mind-blaring loud music made it a blast. The time in New York was also great, visiting lower Manhattan bars and trying to pick up girls at 2 p.m.!

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The Meritorious Unit Commendation was given to all sailors on the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 for service related to the Statue of Liberty Re-dedication ceremonies in July 1986 in New York Harbor. That was an amazing time, complete with an in-person visit by our greatest commander-in-chief, President Ronald Reagan.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Many people had a profound impact in shaping me as a person, but one stands out as the lynchpin for where my career headed, and that was Senior Chief Punzalon, an E-Division leader on the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67, who, in his wisdom, determined that I was probably going to be a better musician in the fleet, than an electrician. Without his approval, none of my future would have happened. To this day, this approval changed my life.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I initially was a working musician after I left the Navy as a Musician's Mate. I served as organist and choir director for two medium-sized churches in Illinois. I also taught piano and voice for a while. I bought a computer back then to start recording myself and fell in love with the computer itself.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
I learned several new skills in the Navy but chief among them was to put your head down, focus on the work at hand, and don't stop until it's done. That was something drilled into us in boot camp by some very good company commanders (we were a Hall of Fame company thanks to them) and something that has probably had more to do with my success outside of the military than anything else (including going back to school for both Bachelor's and Master's degrees).

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Get as much college education as possible (finish your Bachelor's degree or you will have trouble getting jobs outside) and do a least one tour where you get to go on a major deployment (IO, Med, WesPac, whatever). These experiences are the heart and soul of what it means to be a fleet sailor. You will never again get this type of opportunity. Relish it.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US Navy

It's helped me connect with my past, both good and bad, choices I've made and see others with similar (if much deeper) experiences. It has also provided a place where we can all share in our pride for having served our country.

KC 3.5.24