Samantha Chaffin
News Editor
Todd Johnson was announced as the new director of the Veterans Sanctuary at Idaho State University on Thursday, Sept. 26, and began his duties as Director of the Veteran’s sanctuary on Monday, Oct. 14.
A search committee was utilized to fill the open position of Director of the Veterans Sanctuary and open forums were held in September. Open forums were held throughout the month for the public to attend. Four candidates, including Johnson, participated in the open forums.
Johnson’s experience in the military includes a high school ROTC program and four years as an airborne infantryman in the United States Army from 1981 to 1985. During that time, Johnson commanded an infantry fire team in special operations and reconnaissance, achieved expert proficiency in arctic and jungle areas of operation and served as a special aide or adviser to his battalion commander.
Johnson’s passion for the military, however, reportedly dates back to his childhood.
“I’ve known exactly what I wanted to do since fourth grade, if that tells you anything,” said Johnson.
Johnson said he originally thought he’d be a navy man but saw the army rangers in fourth grade and knew he wanted to be in the army “more than anything in the world.”
“That was my goal right up ‘til the day I joined and I achieved it,” explained Johnson. “I went all the way through elementary school, all through high school knowing what my career goal was and it didn’t change, not one bit. Not at all.”
Growing up during the Vietnam War also greatly impacted Johnson.
Johnson said several people encouraged him to apply for the position as the Director of the Veterans Sanctuary when it became available and that he had been considering reentering academia because it was “where [his] heart is.”
Johnson said he sat on the idea for a while and finally went with his gut and listened to friends who encouraged him to apply.
“I just kept getting messages from people and in my head that this was the right thing to apply for. So I scrambled and put my stuff together and got it in in time and interviewed well, and here I am.”
He added, “I always know when a job is good for me when the interview doesn’t feel like an interview, when it feels almost painless. And this was probably, this was the easiest interview I’ve ever done. It was just joyful to be here and to be applying to something that I’m so passionate about.”
Johnson received a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education from the University of Colorado.
Johnson most recently acted as an Internship and Education Specialist with the Idaho National Laboratory and notably has worked with ISU in the past as an adviser and as the Assistant Director of Academic Advising for ISU in Idaho Falls. He also continued to work as an instructor for ISU’s College Learning Strategies courses since 2004 and during his previous time at ISU was a part of the inception of the Armed Forces Veterans Club. Johnson also held other academic and advocacy positions during his time in Colorado prior to coming to ISU.
Johnson said the issues of today’s veterans are unlike any veterans’ issues seen in the past.
“These are guys who went out on patrols and missions where their lives where in danger constantly, and then they’d come back to a secure area and play video games,” said Johnson. “It’s almost a dichotomy in a way. They’ve got different concerns. They had a lot put on them at a young, young age. There are a lot of folks who never have any life threatening issues until their thirties and forties, and these guys were in life threatening situations in their late teens, early twenties. It’s significant.”
Johnson aims to focus on the mission of the Veterans Sanctuary and hopes to increase the veteran population on campus while creating awareness of the many benefits and opportunities available to veterans and their families and how to access them.
“I want everyone to know where [the sanctuary] is and what we do,” said Johnson. “I’m gonna focus on the mission of the sanctuary, primarily making a strong transition from military life into academic life. [I want to focus on] giving veterans the support they need with the understanding they need, providing them with resources whether they’re in the sanctuary or at the university or in the community, and providing a listening ear, someone of concern who is willing to advocate for them. I think the advocacy part of the mission is probably the most significant portion of it.”
Johnson wanted to clarify that the Armed Forces Club is an active club that works in conjunction with the sanctuary but they are two separate entities. Students are welcome to be involved in the club at whatever degree of involvement they desire.
The Sanctuary is also responsible for the Career Closet Program where veterans and their families have access to professional clothing for interviews.
“We’re open pretty much [8 a.m. to 5 p.m.] Monday through Friday. We will have someone on staff at all times,” said Johnson. “We don’t send people to resources, we take people to resources.”
“[The previous director, Casey Santee] was awesome. He took a concept and turned it into a very usable facility and a very usable resource and so I applaud him, I admire him for doing that,” said Johnson. “I’m just honored to be the person who gets to take it to the next level.”
