Casper Marine veteran Sherry Johnson to lead college veterans club

Sherry Johnson, a Casper resident and former United States Marine, will soon assume the role of president for the Veterans Club at Casper College. Johnson plans to use the position to help veterans pursue higher education and build community connections. She has served in the military since 1987 and returned to civilian life in 1991 after a four-year career.

During her service, Johnson was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, where she worked as a military police officer and later as a dog handler. She patrolled bases and searched for narcotics and explosives alongside five working dogs: Pearl, Judas, Bruno, Carlo, and Fiskis. Johnson described her time with the animals as the best part of her career, noting that she allowed her dogs to ride in the front seats of trucks and share her bunk.

Johnson’s commitment to mental health advocacy began during her service in Okinawa. She recounted an incident where she saved a young man who had climbed onto the roof of a building. Johnson sat nearby to appear unthreatening, then tackled the man and dragged him to safety with the assistance of five other servicemen. For that action, she received a Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, an honor she said was rarely given to women at the time.

Since returning to the United States, Johnson has focused on supporting veterans dealing with invisible injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. She noted that the Department of Veterans Affairs reported an average of 17.7 veteran suicides per day in 2024. Johnson believes the actual number is likely higher and aims to create an organization that guides veterans through the process of finding mental health support.

Johnson has been involved in Casper’s Toys for Tots program for the past 15 years. She is currently enrolled in the Geographic Information Systems program at Casper College. She intends to apply her studies to assist Natrona County Weed and Pest with invasive species and to help in search efforts for missing persons. Johnson stated she is aiming for a 4.0 grade average in her coursework.

The new role at Casper College marks the next step in Johnson’s long-standing effort to serve her community. She will work with younger veterans to provide them with a space for support and education. Johnson continues to maintain the standards of integrity and service she developed during her four years in the Marine Corps.

Johnson currently lives in Casper with three pets: Willy, Kirby, and Rüna. She said she remains a lifelong dog lover, even though she has not worked with a military dog in decades. Her next public engagement will be as the incoming president of the college veterans club.