Raising the Bar

By Cheryl Marino

Article published on: April 1, 2025 in the Army AL&T Spring 2025 edition

Read Time: < 10 mins

Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Johnson is the first TAAS instructor to receive the Basic Army Instructor Badge, setting a high standard for those who follow.

With over a decade of distinguished service under his belt, Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Johnson has achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the first instructor with The Army Acquisition School (TAAS) to receive the Basic Army Instructor Badge (BAIB), setting a high benchmark for those who follow in his footsteps.

“Johnson is one of the best NCOs [noncommissioned officers] I’ve worked with in the almost 40 years I’ve been in government service, and it doesn’t surprise me that he is the first one at TAAS to achieve this milestone,” said TAAS Director Craig Gardunia, who presented Johnson with his badge during a holiday party at the school facility in Huntsville, Alabama, on December 12, 2024. “His commitment to his profession and to the students is incredible and it just highlights the outstanding NCO that he is.” TAAS—a centralized training, education and career development center for Army acquisition professionals (officers, noncommissioned officers and Department of the Army civilians)—provides a dynamic learning environment for acquisition professionals who are equipped to provide and sustain superior support to the warfighter.

The BAIB is part of the Army’s Faculty Development Recognition Program (FDRP), a voluntary program active at TAAS since October 2023 that helps recognize the professionalism of its NCO educators and bolster the standing of the instructors who teach the courses in the NCO education system. Participating instructors, who meet all program requirements, are awarded Basic or BAIB, Senior (SAIB) and then Master (MAIB) level badges—the culmination of a nearly three-year process that seeks to professionalize Army instructors and enhance their standing.

“This is not just a personal achievement but also a reflection of the incredible support and mentorship I have received from the entire TAAS faculty and staff.”

The Badge Advantage

To achieve the BAIB, a Soldier must first become a certified instructor—candidates are required to complete the Common Faculty Development-Instructor Course, which Johnson completed in 2023, then serve 40 hours as an assistant instructor and 40 hours as a primary instructor. Finally, the Soldier must successfully teach at least 80 hours of instruction as the primary instructor, undergo two consecutive evaluations and conduct four developmental observations of other instructors.

Johnson currently serves as the primary instructor for the Army Contract Writing Lab—a course offered through TAAS—where he trains Soldiers on using the Procurement Desktop-Defense software, a key system used for creating contract actions in support of the warfighter.

“I am proud to be a recipient of the Basic Army Instructor Badge and would like to highlight that this is not just a personal achievement but also a reflection of the incredible support and mentorship I have received from the entire TAAS faculty and staff,” said Johnson, who plans to continue as an instructor at TAAS while pursuing his SAIB. Career advantages with the Senior level badge are promotion points and increased responsibility in instructor roles within the Army. This will put Johnson a step closer to the MAIB, which is the highest level of learning expertise within the FDRP.

At the Basic level, Johnson will facilitate and present instruction in a variety of learning environments and effectively prepare and execute instruction; question students and provide effective feedback; promote learning retention and transfer; assess learning; and counsel students.

The Senior and Master instructor levels signify a considerably higher level of teaching proficiency. They are achieved through extended experience, advanced instructor courses and demonstrated ability to design and implement complex training programs beyond the foundational knowledge required for the Basic Badge.

From Mortar Platoon to Training Room

Johnson, a member of both the Noncommissioned Officer Corps and the Acquisition Corps, enlisted in the Army in 2009, driven by a desire to serve his country and develop leadership skills. During his four years as an Infantry Mortarman, he honed his technical and tactical expertise through numerous field operations. In late 2012, he moved from the Mortar Platoon to the training room to begin his transition from military service back into civilian life—setting the stage to bring his operational experience, military discipline and training aptitude to a new role as an instructor. He applied for reclassification to 51C and was selected in May 2013.

In the decade that followed, Johnson has served as an acquisition workforce leader and instructor in various capacities, including the Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Installation Support Programs and the 63rd Regional Support Command. He also served at Fort Cavazos in Texas, working with the 418th Brigade staff on training and readiness, and later at the Regional Contracting Center-Operation Inherent Resolve, Camp Taji, Iraq, providing policy reviews and workload management for five regional contracting offices. Using his military experience to mentor and educate others, Johnson has shaped countless individuals into confident and capable leaders and continues to influence today’s acquisition professionals in preparation for tomorrow’s challenges.

Conclusion

“This achievement is a testament to Sgt. 1st Class Johnson’s hard work and dedication to the precept heralding the NCO Creed, ‘No one is more professional than I,’ ” said Ronald R. Richardson Jr., director of the Acquisition Career Management Office and of the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center, whose offices oversee TAAS. “His commitment to excellence and efforts in both training and mentoring others has not gone unnoticed, and this badge is a well-deserved recognition of his skills and dedication.”

Richardson said Johnson’s ability to inspire and educate is truly remarkable and is indicative of the positive impact he has had on the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center team and across the Army Acquisition Workforce as a whole.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Sgt. 1st Class Johnson’s caliber in our organization, and we look forward to seeing the continued contributions he will make as an instructor,” said Richardson. “We appreciate everything he’s done and are excited to see his continued success.”

For more information about TAAS, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/taas.