Destinee Lewis

CIS110_023
Interview Transcripts

First Interview with Air Force Capt. / Johnathan Cozad

Me: Before I begin with my questions, do I have consent to use this interview for public use?
Capt. / Cozad: Yes you have my consent.
Me: Is there anything or subject area that I cannot ask you, or touch on?
Capt. / Cozad: No, you can ask me anything. If I cannot answer a question I will let you know.
Me: Ok well I would like to start off by asking you what made you want to go into the military.
Capt. / Cozad: Well I was in ninth grade when 9/11 happened and I was so fascinated by the moral of my
country that I wanted to serve.
Me: Was the military your first choice?
Capt. / Cozad: Yes, after 9/11 had happened I knew from that moment on the military was something I
wanted to do.
Me: Before taking on your current job here at the University of Kentucky, what was your job in the Air
force?
Capt. / Cozad: In the Air Force I am an engineer. The proper term is a Development Engineer, and what I
am in charge in is weapon systems. There are different grades and my grade number was 62E.
Me: Can you explain the difference between military life and civilian life?
Capt. / Cozad: In the military there is a lot of commitment. And there is definitely more service traveling
involved when you are in the service, compared to a civilian.
Me: Now there is a dictionary definition for Accountability and Responsibility. Can you explain what
those words mean to you?
Capt. / Cozad: Sure. Responsibility can mean a set of things. It can start with knowing what you are
responsible for and also taking responsibility for your actions. Like when you do something incorrectly.
Accountability goes along with responsibility. They mean the same thing. In the service you must be
accountable for your actions.
Me: Being a cadet myself I understand there is a common language in the military. Can you elaborate on
the different terms used in the military?
Capt. / Cozad: Yes. In the military as well as ROTC there is different language that is used amongst
cadets. There are a lot of acronyms. For example, PFA stands for Physical Fitness Assessment, PT stands

for Physical Training, and AFOQT is the Air Force Officer Qualifier Test. There are a lot of acronyms out
there that civilians wouldnt understand just by hearing them or seeing them at a glance.
Me: Ok my final question for you is where do you see yourself in five years?
Capt. / Cozad: On a professional level I see myself an engineer in the operations field. It will take me
about four years after I station and I will be working in the weapons system office. On a personal level I
will be looking to start a family.
Me: Ok that concludes this interview thank you for your time
Capt. / Cozad: Thank You

Second Interview with C / Battalion Commander (Army JROTC) / Jonathan Berry

Me: Before I begin with my questions, do I have consent to use this interview for public use?
C/ Berry: yes
Me: First I would like to ask what made you want to join JROTC.
C/ Berry: I really dont know, but at first it was because my parents were in the military
Me: Do you want to have a future in the military
C/ Berry: Yes I am already sworn in
Me: What branch are you going in after high school?
C/ Berry: Army
Me: From A cadets point of view, can you explain the time commitment JROTC demands in order to be
successful?
C/ Berry: Oh my goodness, almost all of it. From my point of view, being a cadet takes a lot of time
depending on what needs to be done. For example, cadets need to be trained, and other jobs need to
be done
Me: What are the differences between a cadet and a regular student?
C/ Berry: A regular student doesnt get put to the challenges a cadet does. You must be able to balance
being a cadet and a student.
Me: Can you explain how JROTC has influenced your life?
C/ Berry: It makes me strive to be better then what I came in. It also made me think more of what Im
doing and prioritize what needs to be done. It also made me think about how I approach things, and the
consequences of if I approach things the wrong way.
Me: Could you imagine not being in JROTC or having a future in the military
C/ Berry: Oooh no no no no no NEEEVVVVVEEERRRRR!

Me: would you JROTC makes you who you are?

C/ Berry: Not all of me but a huge chunk of me.
Me: Is their language in JROTC that a regular student may not understand?
C/ Berry: The Phonetic Alphabet. Some cadets might not even understand.
Me: Is there anything else a cadet may understand that a civilian would not?
C/ Berry: Well the new people in my battalion has a problem with the chain of command. Or how to use
military time.
Me: My last question is where do you see yourself in five years?
C/ Berry: Probably in the army. After I graduate I go to basic. After basic I go to college. After I go to
college I go active into the service.
Me: Thank you for your time
C/ Berry: No problem Im glad to be of service to you.

Third Interview with Poolee/ Tyson Yancey/ Past Battalion Commander (Army JROTC) / recently
commissioned with the Marines
Me: Before I begin with my questions, do I have consent to use this interview for public use?
Poolee/ Yancey: Public?! So if you make money off this Im getting a cut?
Me: yes
Poolee/ Yancey: ok sure
Me: Was the military your first option?
Poolee/ Yancey: Yes, its something I have always wanted to do, I have always admired people in the
military.
Me: can you explain the difference between a civilian and a cadet
Poolee/ Yancey: A civilian lives the normal life, a cadet has an obligation to serve their country, striving
to be part of the 1% that defends the country. They place a strong emphasis on service before self
Me: could you imagine not being in the military?
Poolee/ Yancey: Absolutely not! I dont even entertain that thought.
Me: Is there a different language in the military than outside of it?
Poolee/ Yancey: Yes, the language is completely different. It places a strong emphasis on respect. For
example, the way you talk to others. Also the military vocabulary and terminology is different in each
branch.

Me: if I can remember correctly you the battalion commander?

Poolee/ Yancey: yes I was
Me: What is the difference between being in JROTC/ROTC and being enlisted?
Poolee Yancey: Being a cadet is something you do while in a school environment to get military
exposure and developing leadership skills and character. Being in the military is a full time commitment,
you must put your duty to serve your country above everything else.
Me: What job are you looking to have?
Poolee Yancey: MOS 1371 combat engineer, we are the jack of all trades in the marines.
Me: My final question is what do you see yourself doing in the next five years?
Poolee Yancey: Serving my country honorably and being the best marine I can be.
Me: Thank you for your time
Poolee Yancey: Youre welcome.