ABSTRACT
John John demonstrates the strongest commitment to the values that underpin American cultural myths and exhibits the least degree of change. At the time of this interview, he describes how he understood self and other, the United States and the enemy. John had planned to join the military all of his life, so 9/11 did not have much influence on his decision to serve, except perhaps to reinforce it. He graduated high school in Northern Virginia in 2001, joined the Air Force in 2002 and deployed to Iraq in 2004. Reflecting on 9/11 he recalls:
First, I thought it was a joke. If anything, it kind of motivated me a little bit because I didn’t want to just join and have nothing happen and kind of like I don’t get to get the full spectrum. I’m not all about fighting in a war all the time, but like I said, that’s kind of your purpose if you want to do that. So even like if you join, you’re making somewhat of a difference whether you’re helping keep people away or helping make things better.
