MADISON – Andrea Johnson entered the U.S. Army in May 1994.

“After serving four years as a Track Mechanic, I re-classed to 27D (Paralegal). I retired with 21 years as a Master Sergeant in October 2016,” she said.

Johnson completed basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. and Advanced Individual Training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. She was assigned to 1st COSCOM at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C.

With 2nd Infantry Division, Johnson served at Camp Casey, Korea and then 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell in Hopkinsville, Ky. She was assigned to 32nd AAMDC at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas and to 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Ga.

“I deployed to Tikrit, Iraq,” Johnson said. She has worked at AMCOM Jag Office at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville and National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.

“I have served as a paralegal for over 17 years in Claims, Legal Assistance, District Court, Criminal Law, Bagram Prosecution Team, Operational Law and as 3rd Infantry Division Chief paralegal in Iraq in charge of over 40 paralegals,” Johnson said.

Johnson was born and raised in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands but came to Madison in 2012 when she and her family were stationed at Redstone Arsenal. “We loved it so much here that we bought a house and decided to return once my husband and I retired,” she said.

She received a bachelor’s degree in social science from Thomas Edison State College and a master’s degree in business administration. When retiring from the Army, Johnson started her own business making unique wood gifts called KRAD Custom Gifts. “I decided to name it KRAD because family is everything and (the name has) the initials of my entire family,” she said. For information, visit kradcustomgifts.com.

Her husband Command Sergeant Major Ray Johnson retired in 2012 from the Army while serving as Garrison Command Sergeant Major for Redstone Arsenal. Their children are Abrianna, a student at James Clemens High School, and Aun’yae who attends Liberty Middle School. The Johnsons also are foster parents to four children.

Master Sergeant Andrea Johnson received numerous military awards, decorations and civic volunteer awards, culminating with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for giving more than 1,000 hours to the military veteran community. She supports several local organizations, including Girls Scouts, James Clemens Band and Downtown Rescue Mission.

“I love to make creative things, help others and spend time with my family,” she said.