Alumni Article: Joe Johnson, ’71
I Claim Fishburne Military School
by Joe Johnson, ’71
In the summer of 1969, my parents took me to Waynesboro, Virginia to visit Fishburne Military School. While there, I met Colonel Ed Young, was given a tour, and instantly fell in love with the place. From there we drove to Raleigh, North Carolina where my parents were to deposit me on a bus bound for Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. During that drive I told them I wanted to go to Fishburne. When I returned home after three weeks, I learned that I had been accepted and was going to Fishburne.
During my two years, I played the game and did well. Upon graduation I was accepted by The Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, and The University of North Carolina. I was also nominated by Congressman Earl Ruth of the North Carolina 8th District to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. My father persuaded me to attend UNC as he had done. (He later told me that was his worse mistake in my development.) I went to Chapel Hill.
My Fishburne experience directly led to me obtaining two summer jobs before I could enroll at Chapel Hill. While at Fishburne, I was a writer and then Editor in Chief of the student paper the CQ. I was also played basketball and had been a photographer on the yearbook staff. Fishburne issued a press release with those accomplishments. The sports editor for the local paper called and hired me to cover American Legion baseball all summer. The director of the Carolina Military Academy basket ball camp called me to be a counselor and camp photographer. I thought life after Fishburne was going to be easy.
Chapel Hill in 1971 was a culture shock for me, so many distractions. I had enrolled in Naval ROTC with the thoughts of still having a military career. On our first day of marching, drill, and ceremony – a Midshipman 1st Class was attempting to teach a group Midshipmen 4th Class grunts the art and science of “Dress Right Dress.” Well he did it wrong. In my most diplomatic voice I tried to suggest the errors of his ways. I was rebuffed. In just a few short minutes, our Marine Gunnery Sergeant took note of us doing it wrong and whispered sweet words of encouragement to our blushing company commander. As we were being “re-instructed” I felt the piercing eyes of a company commander. I knew from my time at Fishburne, that seniors could have a great influence on the happiness of ANY underclassmen. I quickly retreated to the Drill Team when positions opened up.
I parted company with Chapel Hill after a year. Those distractions mentioned above were more than I could deal with. A long story short, I wanted to be a law enforcement officer. I became a deputy sheriff in my home county. I also attended a local community college and finished my associate degree in criminal justice. I told the Sheriff I worked for that I wanted to be a professional, and that I did not want to be known as a political deputy. I went to every course I could, took on whatever assignment was offered and learned all that I could. My time at Fishburne served me well. I knew how to dress in a uniform. More importantly, I had learned the dynamics of organizations and how there were formal and informal leaders. I had also learned how to detect the sweet smell of mendacity and recognize it when I saw it. Dealing with my fellow cadets helped me deal with people from many stations in life and with the inevitable regional differences.
I knew I needed to complete a bachelor’s degree and went to UNC Charlotte for its criminal justice program. I also joined the campus police department. The head of the campus police was a retired marine officer. He became a major the hard way. He had enlisted at 17, served as a drill instructor at Paris Island, and saw his share of action and some more across the oceans. His leadership and smarts were recognized and he became an intelligence officer. He had retired and was recruited to “fix” a campus security department. He became a mentor. I completed my degree, went to more specialized schools and was promoted to leadership roles. When the time came, he helped me obtain positions that would be good for my career.
At age 30, I was appointed Director of Campus Police for The University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In the interviews for that position when asked about my short years of management and leadership I was able to proudly point to my Fishburne experience. When young reporters showed up with from TV stations trying to “get the story” I found it easy. After all, I had the experience of glaring eyes of Colonel Young in senior English. I had the experience being asked to rise and offer proofs in math classes, I had the experience of being challenged in history and government classes that caused me to perform under pressure and in front of people.
At Fishburne, as now, I was a person of great faith. I was allowed and encouraged to grow in my faith even though it was not part of a formal program. Cadets in those days were required to attend worship services at Waynesboro churches. I had been active in my youth group before Fishburne, and because my grades were good, I was allowed to attend youth group while at Fishburne. I was also allowed to lead chapel services for my fellow cadets. Not every cadet did this. Faculty members were required to lead the daily chapel services and when they learned of my willingness to lead these sessions I was recruited frequently.
With a law enforcement career behind me, I still use things Fishburne taught me. I was a substitute public school teacher and I have been a volunteer in youth ministry for several years. Let’s just say there is not much that I did not see or do in terms of pranks, jokes, tricks growing up. Less I am required to walk tours for forty year old offenses, I will not confess to my deeds now.
Fishburne has always identified prominent graduates in its publications. I was never included in that as I have never really wanted to be “prominent.” Serial killers can be prominent as well as governors you know. (Gerald L. Baliles ’59, 65th Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia 1986-90) I don’t think there is enough room to list the successful graduates. There are lawyers, doctors, and generals. There are also fathers, small business owners, large business owners, writers, farmers, real estate agents and too many occupations to list that are successful. Their success, whether they admit it or not is in part because of their experiences while a student at Fishburne Military School.
Not every kid who graduated from Fishburne arrived at the front door because he wanted to. Not every kid there right now is there because he wants to be there. Someone saw the need for that young man to be placed in the environment that Fishburne Military School offered at that time. I am thankful my parents made their decisions and sacrifices so I could attend.
Fishburne claimed me in 1969. Today, I proudly claim Fishburne Military School.
