Interview with Veteran Green Beret Chester Wong
I was so impressed with Gene Yu's book Yellow Green Beret that I wanted to do a podcast interview with him. As far as Asian American books from the male perspective, I would consider this one of my top three. Definitely give this book a read if you get a chance.
In this interview, Gene and I talk about Asians at West Point, military life (and party life) in Korea, overthrowing enemy governments, the history of the Green Berets and Robin Sage (the ultimate military role playing game).
Comments
also interesting discussion about working with host government forces. i've experienced some things in working with host country counterparts in Latin America but only from the ops support side. it kind of makes sense that a lot of guys in federal law enforcement were former military.
I guess I really want to promote Chester's book because:
1) It is a damn good book.
2) How often do you hear the stories of a Green Beret who happens to be Asian American?
I'm tired of hearing the same stupid stories in AA lit. The problem with most writers (whether they're AA or not) is that they don't have interesting stories to tell. And part of that is that many writers don't have any life experience from which to derive interesting stories.
I will take an average writer with an interesting story over a superb writer with a boring ass story any day.
Chester's got some interesting stories and he tells them well. He's got a lot of life experience for someone so young.
Also, what I found similar to Chester's experiences were the raids, kicking down the doors. Same thing with our enforcement teams, that's the fun stuff. And I get to go in after the entry team and root around someone's home or office on the search warrant, look for intelligence and evidence, interrogate the detainees or do it afterwards if they're arrested (and if they're willing to talk). And once again, there's that transition for military guys to go into law enforcement.
I've stated in previously, but I think Asian Americans can do very well in law enforcement. I think we're definitely smart enough and competent to do the job. The big key, and Chester touched upon it with the comment about "knuckle draggers and neanderthals", is that I think we're a pretty smart bunch. I've seen a lot of federal, state, local guys and gals that didn't impress me whatsoever. Some are just dumb as rocks. I'm thinking, "Man, how the hell did YOU get thru the academy? And someone gave you a gun and badge???" But I think we can make a difference and do well at it. Ironically, I didn't seek out a career in federal law enforcement--I just fell into and liked what I'm doing. I don't have a family with a history of being in law enforcement like a lot of others I've met. I do have one cousin who's with the Houston Sherrif's Office as a Sgt, I think; and he also has a military background, having gone to VMI and done his active duty and reserve duty.
Moreover, this career offered me the chance to lead an interesting life because of the international travel and the nature of the work. And guys like Chester took the road less traveled and did something pretty amazing.