Veteran for Life:
Johnny Olson

U.S. Marine Corps
1988 – 1992
0351 : Antitank Assaultman

Having prior military and combat experience, I find working for the Exchange fulfilling in that I am still serving our great Nation. From my past experience of once being a customer, I have a first-hand perspective that can help our organization.

In 1988 I enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17. By the time I turned 18, I was in the School of Infantry (SOI) being trained to be an Antitank Assualtman (0351). After graduating, I was assigned to 1st Battalion 7th Marines (1/7) in Camp Pendleton, CA as a Dragon Gunner for Weapons Company. After 1/7’s WestPac deployment in 1989, the 7th Marines were moved to MCAGCC 29 Palms, CA to be the Marine Corps’ “Desert Warriors.” Soon after our move, Iraq invaded Kuwait and my unit was the first to deploy for Desert Shield in August of 1990. The 7th Marines formed Task Force Ripper, who began the initial ground war, crossing the Saudi Arabian border in February 1991. After a swift yet violent assualt thru the desert, we liberated the Kuwaiti International Airport and Kuwait City. In April of 1991, the 7th Marines arrived back in 29 Palms, where I ended my four-year enlistment, honorably discharged on August 1992, at the rank of Corporal. Having prior military and combat experience, I find working for the Exchange fulfilling in that I am still serving our great Nation and from my past experiences of once being a customer, I have a perspective that can help our organization.