Brig. Gen. Rodney L. Johnson was born in Atkinson, Nebraska on April 13, 1955 and raised in the rural area of Burke. Johnson married his wife, Marsha, when he was a junior at South Dakota State University. He graduated from SDSU in May 1977 and subsequently received a Reserve Army commission as a second lieutenant in the Military Police Corps.
Johnson is dual-hatted as the provost marshal (PMG) of the Army or top cop, and the commanding general, United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (CIDC). Balancing both jobs makes life interesting. As the PMG, Johnson has an office at the Pentagon for the third time in his career; yes, if you survive once, they will bring you back. In this role, his primary responsibilities are in the Title 10 arena and his focus is to ensure our 54,000 Military Police located around the world are trained, equipped and prepared to conduct law enforcement and for deployments. As the CIDC CG, Brigadier General Johnson has the privilege of leading over 2,500 personnel world-wide at 121 different locations that are responsible for all Army Felony level investigations and Protective Services for Senior Army/DoD personnel.
Key assignments have included commander, 545th Division MP Company (1st Cav Div), Fort Hood Texas; S3, 720th MP Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; chief, Plans Branch, Office of the Provost Marshal, HQ USAREUR; executive officer, 97th MP Battalion in the Federal Republic of Germany; commander, 720th MP Battalion, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Fort Hood, Texas; chief, Current Operations, Department of Military Support, ODCSOPS, Washington, D.C.; commander, 14th MP Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; executive officer, director of the Army Staff, Washington, D.C.; executive officer, commanding general TRADOC, Fort Monroe, Virginia and commandant, USA Military Police School, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Johnson has a Bachelor of Science Degree in sociology from South Dakota State University; a Master of Science Degree in police science and public administration from Wichita State University; and a Master of Science degree in national security strategy from the National War College. His military education includes the MP Officer Basic Course, the MP Officer Advanced Course, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, the DoD Emergency Preparedness Course and the National War College. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Johnson's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (3OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2OLC), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (Bronze Star), Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (OLC), Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, Airborne Wings and the Army Staff Badge. Additionally, he wears the Joint Meritorious Unit Award (OLC), the Army Superior Unit Award (OLC), and the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation and is an MPOA Distinguished Honor Graduate, USAMPS Distinguished Instructor, CGSC Military Police Honor Graduate and recipient of the Military Police Regimental Association Order of The Marechaussee.
Johnson and Marsha have been blessed with three great kids: Spencer, Ashley and Tyler.