After three years of service, respected leader and role model Lt. Col. Thomas Johnson will no longer be a member of the Iowa State Army ROTC.

Johnson, professor and chairman of military science and tactics, has worked since 1999 as a teacher, mentor and leader to cadets at Iowa State. He has been an active duty officer since joining ROTC at the University of Wyoming more than 20 years ago.

Prior to teaching, Johnson was a brigade executive officer in the 25th Infantry in Hawaii, but he chose to come to Iowa State because he enjoys the focus on leadership.

“It was the time in my career to either choose further tactical command or to choose another job,” he said. “I enjoy the leadership aspect of the job, and ROTC is based on teaching leadership.”

Public Affairs officer Kim Klaver said she was glad to have the opportunity to serve under Johnson.

“Lt. Col. Johnson is a good leader because he is quick to relate military sciences techniques to everyday life,” said Klaver, senior in journalism and mass communication. “No matter who you are or what field you are going into, chances are you will have to be quick on your feet, able to communicate your points, have a plan and a sense of humor.”

Johnson embodies all those characteristics and has taught them to his students, Klaver said.

A typical day at Iowa State is more than just teaching classes for Johnson. After physical training in the morning with his cadets, he does office work and then teaches class and lab. Johnson is also in charge of the Drake ROTC program and teaches in Des Moines once a week.

The Army ROTC has seen many changes in Johnson’s three years here, he said, of which one of the biggest was giving more leadership opportunities to his students.

“I empower my cadets to make more leadership decisions,” he said.

By giving cadets more responsibility to make decisions and plan events, Johnson said they take more pride in their work.

Making the ROTC program more education centered, rather than activity centered has been another of Johnson’s projects, in addition to reducing the number of hours students are required to have and trying to make the program more family-oriented.

Johnson has also made several changes to the Armory building itself, ranging from installing a study room and computer lab to starting a collection of Army artifacts and memorabilia on display in the halls.

The best part of his job was watching cadets go through the education process, Johnson said. After coming in as timid freshman, he has enjoyed watching the “spark ignite,” and seeing them mature into leaders.

“It has been a tremendous learning experience,” he said. “It will help me be a better parent to my own children.”

Because he is an active duty officer, Johnson’s tour of duty changes after three years. Next fall he will serve as Senior Army adviser for the Iowa National Guard in Des Moines.

“I asked to stay for another year, but they said no,” he said, with a laugh.

Johnson said the staff and students are what he will miss most about Iowa State.

“I get spoiled because the students I have want to learn,” he said. “I don’t have anyone falling asleep in my classes.”

Battalion Commander Angela Nelson, one of Johnson’s cadets, said the biggest impact Johnson had on ROTC was setting high standards for students and the morals he taught them.

“Above all, I would say his integrity as a person and how he applies that as an Army officer, a professor at ISU, and a support to his family and friends are what make him great leader,” said Nelson, senior in Russian.