Major Stephen Johnson

Second in Command, Engineering & Logistics Wing. British Forces South Atlantic Islands

Stephen Johnson joined the Army at 16 and has served for over 34 years. A military logistician, leadership trainer and coach, he is currently the lead Staff Officer for Personnel Development in the Royal Logistic Corps. Holding a myriad of leadership positions, in the UK and deployed on military operations in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2009, as a RSM he deployed his unit to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. As the GSM of Kandahar Airfield, he was responsible for Operation PABBAY, repatriating those killed on operations. Commissioned in 2012, he became the Royal Logistic Corps Sergeant Major, the Senior Soldier of the Corps, responsible as the soldier’s voice.

Witnessing service people in crises, including unresolved childhood trauma and self-harm, he self-funded attendance on a MSc module learning skills which allowed him to treat his soldiers with empathy and compassion, leading to several saved lives.

He is now completing a PhD, designing a leader mediated mental health intervention. After speaking at an academic conference, his research is also gaining traction outside the military, in the NHS and ambulance service.

A regular speaker on MSc module LBR 7566, he presents a case study of IBA use in the military, taking it back to its roots. He highlights how he taught the fundamentals of the programme to some of his staff and demonstrates how it was used to the betterment of his soldiers. With a passionate delivery and easily assimilated examples of IBAs utility in the workplace, he brings the subject to life.