One of the best decisions Denise Johnson ever made was joining the military.

At the time, she was a wayward youth lacking any sort of direction.

Johnson, who is long-time Human Resource representative at Doctors’ Hospital of Manteca, took matters into her own hand by joining the U.S. Army.

That was in 1973 during days of the Women’s Army Corps, created as an auxiliary unit. Other similar military women groups included the Navy WAVES, the SPARS of the Coast Guard, and the Women Air Force Service Pilots.

The WAC as a branch was disbanded in 1978, in turn, forming one army in which women served in the same units as men.

For Johnson, who grew up the Bay Area, those days were long ago. She’s proud to have served her country, getting goose bumps every time she hears the playing of “The Stars Spangled Banner.” Come Veterans Day, she’ll pay tribute to those currently are serving or lost their lives during wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

She shutters to think what her life would be like today if not for the Army.

During her 22 years of active duty, Johnson was able to “Be All You Can Be” – that was the recruiting slogan until 2006 when it became “Army Strong” – by learning a trade, seeing the world, and meeting her husband, Frank Johnson III.

He, too, forged a career in the military. Frank is retired major. He and Denise met in Mountain View and recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

“We’re both military so we’re used to working together as a team,” Denise Johnson said.

She’s transitioned her skills in recruitment and retention, from the military to civilian life.

Denise Johnson worked in personnel at the old Presidio of San Francisco historic military base, taking care of insurance for troops being deployed to the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm. “We monitored troops coming in and going out,” said Johnson, who served two tours of duty.

She retired at age 42 with a rank of sergeant.

Johnson was hired to her present post at Doctors’ Hospital, but with some concerns about civilian life.

“The military was what I knew – it was organized, rigid. Although I worked personnel (in the Army) this was different. When you hire someone here that person can decide whether to stay or go elsewhere. In the Army, you had that person under contract for the next three or four years,” she said.

As it turned, Johnson’s experience in recruitment and retention was also her biggest asset.

Her proudest accomplishment in the military was receiving meritorious medals and ribbons for several programs she helped put together.  “This was recognition for a job well done,” she said.

Johnson and her husband also mentor young people. They know military life isn’t for everybody.

Fortunately, it was what Johnson needed as a troubled teenager. She knew that.

“I made the decision,” said Johnson. “I had to get out of this rut. I wanted to change my life and make something of myself.”

She also looked into the Navy, but the Army was the first to offer her the opportunity. Johnson did her basic training in Alabama’s Fort McClellan.

Back then women didn’t fire weaponry. It wasn’t until eight years or so into her military career that Johnson was asked to fire an M16 assault rifle and toss grenades. “My response to that was ‘Are you kidding me?’” she recalled.

Once she got the hang of it, Johnson – she has two grown children, daughter Pilar, 36, and son Jack, 34 – enjoyed firing off the weaponry. Johnson was also stationed in Fort Dix in New York and Mannheim in Germany.

As a retired military, her veteran’s status is sometime overlooked because of gender. But her husband is often there to point out otherwise.

“(Frank) is so proud of me. When they announce him as retired military, he’s quick to acknowledge me,” Johnson said.