Colonel Rick Johnson is a native of Woodinville, Washington and received a commission in the Field Artillery upon his graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1999. He began his career with 1-94th Field Artillery (MLRS), 1st Armored Division as a Firing Platoon Leader, Support Platoon Leader, Battery Executive Officer, and Battalion Fire Direction Officer, with service in West Baghdad during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003.

Upon joining 1-319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 82d Airborne Division Artillery at Fort Bragg in 2004, he served as a Battalion Fire Support Officer for the 2-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He served as a Battalion Assistant S-3 during the 3rd Brigade Combat Team's deployment to New Orleans in support of Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts, and as a Battery Commander during their deployment to Tikrit during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08. The following year he continued to serve the 3rd Brigade Combat Team as the Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander and the Assistant Brigade Fire Support Officer in another deployment to East Baghdad for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 08-09. He returned to the 82d Airborne Division in 2012 and served as a Division Planner and the Deputy G-3. He transitioned to serve with 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 321st Field Artillery Regiment as the Battalion Executive Officer, and returned to 1-319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment as the Battalion S-3, deploying in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in early 2015 as an advisor to the Kurdish Peshmerga.

In July 2015, Colonel Johnson was re-assigned to the 2d Division Artillery at Joint Base Lewis-McChord as the Deputy Commander. He transitioned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in June 2016 where he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment and deployed with the battalion to Afghanistan in 2017 for Operation FREEDOM'S SENTINEL. Colonel Johnson then served as the Fire Support Senior Trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center from 2018 through 2020, and the Chief of Strategy for the Army Resilience Directorate through 2022.

Colonel Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy; a Master's Degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University; a Master of Military Arts and Science from the Command and General Staff College; a Master of Military Arts and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies; and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College. His published works include The Biggest Stick: The Employment of Artillery Units in Counterinsurgency (Combat Studies Institute Press, 2012) and Operational Approaches to Hybrid Warfare (Joint Special Operations University Press, 2013).

His awards include the Bronze Star (three oak leaf clusters), and his military training includes Ranger School, Air Assault School, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School and the Cold Weather Operations Course.

Colonel Johnson is married to the former Lea F. Sliger of Port Orange, Florida. They have three children: Ana Lucia (13), Estelle (10), and James (7). All five were honored as the 2014 Fort Bragg Family of the Year.