Caroline Johnson

Caroline Johnson was born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO, with her older brother, Craig, and parents Marty and Nancy. Her childhood was filled with skiing, hiking, biking, and an array of team sports. After high school, she exchanged the mountains for the bay and a sailboat, as she embarked on her journey at the United States Naval Academy.

At the Naval Academy, Johnson began her military career in 2005, navigating the strict rules while forming lasting friendships. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 2009. Johnson then joined the elite Naval Aviation community, starting flight school in Pensacola, FL. In 2011, she was awarded her wings of gold and designated as a Naval Flight Officer, specifically an F/A-18 Weapons Systems Officer. She excelled academically, receiving the Paul F. Lawrence award as the number one strike fighter graduate and the Overall Top Graduate.

Johnson was a member of VFA-213, the World Famous Fighting Blacklions, and flew F/A-18 Super Hornets. During her 2014 deployment aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, she supported Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve, seeing action in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. Her squadron was pivotal in the initial strikes against ISIS in Iraq, conducted the first-ever US strikes into Syria, and Johnson notably became one of the first women to neutralize ISIS from the backseat of an F/A-18. She earned numerous qualifications and accolades, including her Combat Mission Commander designation, and graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma with a Master of Arts in Administrative Leadership.

Upon returning to the United States Naval Academy for her final active duty tour, Johnson taught leadership and managed aviation recruitment as the Aviation Operations Officer. She continues to serve in the Navy Reserves as an advisor and liaison officer.

Transitioning to civilian life, Johnson co-authored "Jet Girl" with Hof Williams and embarked on a career as a Peak Performance Speaker. She is recognized for her formula: PREPARATION + PERSEVERANCE = PERFORMANCE, helping teams achieve high levels of success. Her speaking engagements span across international banks, Fortune 100 tech companies, and leading higher education institutions, covering topics such as Change Management, Leadership, and Teamwork. Her influence and presence continue to expand in both the military and corporate spheres.