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Master Sgt. Sharita Johnson (left) and her daughter, Airman 1st Class Kareema Palmer-Johnson, were promoted together Aug. 1. U.S. Air Force photo by Joel Martinez
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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) — An Air Force mother and daughter shared a unique moment when they were promoted together.
Kareema Palmer-Johnson pinned master sergeant stripes on her mother, Sharita Johnson, then she received airman first class stripes of her own after her graduation from basic training earlier that day.
Four years of high school ROTC earned Palmer-Johnson the graduation rank of airman first class. Her graduation date coincided with her mother's promotion ceremony.
"We got lucky -- she pins on two stripes the same day I get to pin on master," said Johnson, superintendent of the local area network for Air Education and Training Command Directorate of Plans and Programs. "Who would have known that it would have worked out like that? It's amazing."
With both parents in the military, it came as no surprise Palmer-Johnson followed in their footsteps and enlisted in the Air Force. Her father, Master Sgt. Barney Johnson, is assigned to the AETC Computer Systems Squadron.
"We've always talked to our kids about the benefits of the military, how it teaches independence, gives a little time to grow up while providing some guidance and supervision but not under the safety net of mom and dad," said Palmer-Johnson's mother. "We really think it is a good thing and would like all of them to go in and learn something while serving their country, because they are getting as much out of it as the Air Force, if not more."
Palmer-Johnson even carried on her uncle and mother's family tradition as a member of the 322nd Training Squadron at basic training by filling the role of guidon bearer.
Concerning her graduation from basic, she said she was "very relieved."
"Basic was a really big challenge for me," she said. "I had to step out of my comfort zone, and I'm just glad I pushed myself to get through and I love being promoted on the same day as my mom. It's really special. I didn't realize she was planning something like this."
According to Johnson, with retirement now an option after completing 20 years of service, she was not sure if she should take the stripe.
"I got re-motivated when I found out my daughter was getting promoted the same day I was and that we would have the same date of rank," said Johnson. "Once I found out she was getting her (stripes) that day, I got really excited about pinning on master."
Her advice to her daughter on her new career: Ask a lot of questions, be ahead of the game by always studying for your stripe, and remember the Air Force is an extended family, from your supervisor to first sergeant. There is always someone to talk to.
Palmer-Johnson will be leaving shortly for Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, to begin her optometry apprentice technical training.
"I'm very pleased with her decision, excited for her and excited to see what she's going to do and how well she going to do it," Johnson said about her daughter. "She says she wants to stay in four years, get her degree then go to Officer Training School. But I believe whether she stays enlisted or goes OTS, I think she will do very well. I'm proud of her already (as an airman first class)."
© 2005 Defend America. All opinions
expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect
those of Military.com.
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