Kim Johns, known by his moniker Captain Kujo, is a U.S.-based author whose life defies convention and comfort. Losing his father at the age of seven and facing violence early on, Kim’s life took a defining turn as a teenager when he survived a brutal dog attack; an event that forged both his name and his resolve.
About the author
At just seventeen, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, setting the foundation for a career that would span military service, law enforcement collaboration, government investigations, and international operations. In 1976, he founded a U.S. Investigative Agency, transforming street-level skip tracing into a multimillion-dollar enterprise operating across multiple countries.
As a combat dive instructor, investigator, and whistleblower, Kim exposed corruption in fire districts where nepotism cost lives, challenged broken systems, and fought high-profile legal battles, including deeply personal custody wars for his daughter, Aggie.
Kim writes for those who understand discipline, sacrifice, and the cost of truth; especially members of the military, law enforcement, and government communities.
About the book
Set against the gritty backdrop of Portland and unfolding across international arenas, the book traces the making of Kim Johns — a man who refused to be shaped quietly by loss or circumstance.
From childhood trauma and a near-fatal dog attack (earning him the name Captain Kujo) to enlisting in the Air Force at seventeen, the story follows his rise through military service, investigations, and founding a U.S. Investigative Agency in 1976 that grew into a multimillion-dollar global enterprise.
The book exposes institutional corruption; fire districts where nepotism cost lives and systems protecting themselves over the public; backed by FBI FOIA documents, legal settlements, and verified records.
At its heart, this is a personal story of brutal legal battles and custody struggles over his daughter, Aggie. Captain Kujo presents the truth as he lived it: sharp, documented, and unapologetic for readers who respect grit, accountability, and standing alone.
Our Chapters
Chapter 1
From the iron lungs of Butte, Montana, to the biting winds of North Dakota, the Johns family was forged in hardship long before Kim arrived. As the “unexpected gift” born late in his parents’ lives, Kim’s world in Portland is defined by a 40-year age gap and the echoing silence of a house where siblings are already adults. But the peace of a Catholic schoolboy’s life is shattered at age seven by a sharp note, a somber car ride with a nun, and the sudden, world-ending void left by his father’s death.
Chapter 2
Escaping a fractured home and a controlling brother, seventeen-year-old Kim forges a signature to claim his independence. He trades the “rainbow” tie-dye of civilian life for the buzzed scalp and bleach-scented starch of the U.S. Air Force. Between the “padlock hustle”—a bizarre, bone-chilling trick involving a perforated septum—and the toxic, tar-like stench of jet fuel at Mountain Home AFB, a kid from Portland is hammered into “steel.” It is a journey through the “chemical graveyard” of the 70s, where the air tasted like poison and the training felt like a war that had already begun.
Chapter 3
The uniform changes from Air Force blue to “Reserve Steel,” but the mission remains the same: holding the line against chaos. Rising to Command Chief Warrant Officer in the State Defense Force and donning the badge of a Reserve Deputy, Kim finds himself in the crosshairs of danger—from repelling into illegal cartel grow-ops in the Oregon backwoods to the high-stakes tension of SWAT medic duty. But the ultimate test of his resolve arrives with a single, devastating phone call on a September morning, leading him toward a crime scene that would haunt his psyche and pierce the veil between this world and the next.
Chapter 4
In Depths of Duty: Dives and Rescues, Captain Kujo turns his passion for diving into a life-saving calling. From training USMC Marines in re-breather stealth techniques at Coronado to high-risk ops with Egyptian frogmen, every plunge sharpens his skills. The climax hits during the 1996 Oregon Great Flood, where as marine operations chief he and Lt. Bill Downey launch daring jet-ski rescues in Clatskanie’s raging waters—until a submerged log flips their PWC, sending them hurtling toward a deadly bridge. Their heroism earns the Medal of Valor, proving Kujo’s underwater expertise saves lives on the surface.
Chapter 5
In An Eco-Warrior’s Journey, Captain Kujo redefines environmental stewardship through discipline and nature’s fiercest guardians. He traps and trains his red-tailed hawk “Hollywood” as a novice falconer, learning patience and control from the skies. Parallel to his early scuba career, this ethos expands when his maritime expertise leads him to captain two former U.S. Coast Guard cutters for Sea Shepherd—from frozen Chesapeake Bay ice through the Bermuda Triangle to Key West. Navigating treacherous seas and vegan crew tensions, Kujo’s sky-to-sea adventures forge an unbreakable “bite back” warrior spirit.
Chapter 6
In Global Escapades – Middle East Brotherhood, Captain Kujo represents U.S. trade interests across Istanbul, Riyadh, and Cairo, blending into Saudi culture in traditional thawb while witnessing raw justice in “Chop Chop Square.” Deep military bonds form with Egyptian leaders, sealed by Lebanese cuisine and paratrooper wings. During the 2011 Arab Spring he forges brotherhood with Unit 777’s Hasham Wadan amid Tahrir Square unrest, training frogmen, running Nile patrols, and surviving a Mediterranean dive rescue—until revolution’s fire consumes headquarters. Alliances forged in crisis prove one man’s grit can bridge oceans and conflict.
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Clients Reviews
Thought-Provoking and Unfiltered
“Picked up ‘Biting Back’ out of curiosity, and what struck me most was how raw and unapologetic Captain Kujo’s voice is. Absolutely LOOOOVED how the author doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of his life, even from trauma as a child to intense military and investigative experiences. I think as someone with a background in veterans’ issues, i found his perspective powerful and honest. You don’t get the typical polished memoir. However, you get someone who lived it and isn’t afraid to expose the grit and contradictions along the way ”
Strong Story, A Bit Disjointed
“So, in simple words, Kim Johns has lived a life most people will never see, and if that doesn’t make for fascinating reading, I don’t know what does. There are parts of the book that feel like gripping true-crime narrative, and others that read more like stream-of-consciousness personal reflection. I admired the courage to dig into institutional corruption and legal battles.. Worth the read if you enjoy autobiographies with edge.”
Inspiring, and Full of Grit
“This book grabbed me from the first chapter. I wasn’t sure what to expect with a military story to be honest? A whistleblower’s manifesto? A personal journey?
It was all of those and more. Captain Kujo’s resilience and refusal to back down from injustice made this a standout memoir for me. I don’t usually read such memoirs but wow there were moments that literally gave me chills, especially when the narrative shifts to personal sacrifice and fighting for what’s right!! If you like stories that confront adversity head-on and don’t sugarcoat anything, pick this up!!.”
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