Lt. Gen. Johnny K. Davis was commissioned from New Mexico Military Institute in 1989 through the ROTC Early Commissioning Program and earned his Bachelor of Science from Cardinal Stritch University.
He began his career with the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. After the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, he served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, as a company commander and aide-de-camp. Davis was then assigned to Fort Myer, Virginia, as the commander of Delta Company, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard.” After attending the Command and General Staff College, Davis was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served as a battalion and brigade operations officer and brigade executive officer. He went on to serve as the aide to the vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and joint staff J8 staff officer. Davis returned to Fort Campbell to command 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment and deployed to Afghanistan – Operation Enduring Freedom 10.
Following command, Davis deployed to Iraq – Operation New Dawn and after deployment he served as aide to the army vice chief of staff. Davis attended the National War College at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., before serving as the director of the U.S. Wounded Warrior Program.
In June 2014, Davis assumed command of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” at Fort Myer, Virginia. After command, he served in Korea as the executive officer to the U.S. Forces Korea commanding general. Following, he served as deputy commanding general for operations for the 25th Infantry Division.
Davis then served as the commanding general of U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command at Fort Bliss, Texas. Afterward, he served as chief of staff, U.S. Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas.
In 2021, Davis served as commanding general, U.S. Army Cadet Command. He then assumed command of U.S. Army Recruiting Command in 2022.
Promoted to lieutenant general in January 2025, serving as the first commanding general of the elevated U.S. Army Recruiting Command, responsible for all Army officer and enlisted talent acquisition and Army marketing.
His operational deployments include Kuwait – Operation Southern Watch; Sinai, Egypt; Haiti; Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-06; Afghanistan – Operation Enduring Freedom 10-11; and Iraq Operation New Dawn 11. He has earned the Airborne Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Army Recruiter Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Combat and Expert Infantryman’s Badge.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Valorous Unit Award.