{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","contentId":"00000167-09a2-d10f-adff-bfba5c1b0000","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/serving-up-success-at-amazon-q-a-with-veteran-andrew-johns","headline":"Serving up success at Amazon: Q&A with veteran Andrew Johns","description":"In this interview, U.S. Army veteran, Andrew Johns, shares how his military experience has helped shape his civilian career at Amazon.","datePublished":"2018-12-18T16:05:41.274Z","dateModified":"2018-12-18T16:05:41.274Z","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Amazon Staff","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/08549ff/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1125x1125+438+0/resize/84x84!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F47%2F6d%2F7fe296e642859c7ba2a629eda3ba%2Famazon-logo-hero-images-2024.jpg","width":"84","height":"84"}}],"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/8a65f90/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1125x563+0+380/resize/1200x600!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F77%2F9c%2Fd1d8ffd94f0796d246293c5f6c57%2Fandrew-johns2.jpg","width":"1200","height":"600"},"articleBody":"# Serving up success at Amazon: Q&A with veteran Andrew Johns\n\n*In this interview, the U.S. Army veteran shares how his military experience has helped shape his civilian career at Amazon.*\n\n**Q: In what capacity did you serve in the U.S. military?**\n\n![Andrew Johns](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/dd6ad65/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1125x1508+0+0/resize/767x1028!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F77%2F9c%2Fd1d8ffd94f0796d246293c5f6c57%2Fandrew-johns2.jpg)\n\n**A:** I joined the Army as an 11B (infantry) in 1999. I was in pre-Ranger school when 9/11 happened. I spent a little over 10 years serving, with two deployments, both to Iraq. As a scout team leader, I worked with Navy SEALS, Air Force J-TAC, Marine RECON, and Army Rangers conducting some pretty intense missions. During the last three years of my service, I was a cadre member of the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) that assisted wounded warriors in an array of areas. I decided to get out in 2010 and pursue a college degree. \n\n**Q:** **When did you join Amazon? What is your current position in the company?**\n\n**A:** I finished my degree and joined Amazon in January 2018 at BWI2 (a fulfillment center in Baltimore). I am an L5 Area Manager, working in the inbound (stow) department. \n\n**Q:** **How has your military background helped prepare you for your current job?** \n\n**A:** Two primary military background traits are being able to lead a team that comes from a diverse population and being able to think quickly on my feet. I may be different than the people I lead, but that will always be the case. The ability to connect, relate, and communicate is vital to leading a successful team. Amazon needs people who can make a decision on their toes and roll with it. The same thing applies to a combat situation. One mistake that can cost lives is to freeze and not make any decision. \n\n![Andew Johns](https://assets.aboutamazon.com/dims4/default/564a063/2147483647/strip/true/crop/840x2048+0+0/resize/767x1870!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.aboutamazon.com%2F4b%2F07%2F52c062194fb69e630d6261883252%2Fandrew-johns.jpg)\n\n**Q:** **How does Amazon support your career goals?**\n\n**A:** Amazon is deep-rooted with values. It is a very large organization that has structure. We work as a team. I would like to make an impact on everyone and in everything that I do. With Amazon, I feel that I have the opportunity to do just that.\n\n**Q:** **What's the best thing about coming to work each day? Is there a \"perk\" to your job that might surprise people?**\n\n**A:** Every day is not a bed of roses—and that is going to apply toward any job, toward any field. I came to Baltimore as a man of faith. I wanted to make an impact in people’s lives. Here, I get the smiles from associates that will make any moment a bed of roses. I am part of a team. And hearing associates tell me that work and what I have been able to help them achieve was part of their dinner table talk the night before is extremely rewarding.","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"About Amazon","url":"https://www.aboutamazon.com","sameAs":["https://x.com/amazonnews","https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon","https://www.instagram.com/amazonnews"],"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.aboutamazon.com/bd/8f/88e7b0314cc2bd05b9de3155a0fe/amazon-news.svg"},"parentOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amazon","url":"https://www.amazon.com","sameAs":["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3884","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_(company)","https://x.com/Amazon"]}}}