 Johnston was appointed Commander Border Protection Command in December 2011, and the next month made a Member of the Order of Australia for "exceptional service" in senior staff appointments and awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service in recognition of his leadership on Operation Slipper.Johnston was promoted vice admiral and appointed Chief of Joint Operations on 20 May 2014.After four years in the post, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on 16 April 2018 that Johnston would succeed Vice Admiral Ray Griggs as Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July.