US‑China Competition: Col. Gregory on Law & Military Culture

In this episode of Inside West Point: Ideas that Impact, we welcome Colonel John Gregory, Deputy Head of the West Point Department of English and World Languages. Colonel Gregory shares his extensive background, including his roles at West Point, his education, and his experiences in Taiwan and China. Ever wondered how studying 18th‑century Chinese law feeds into modern military insight? To draw these connections, Gregory shares stories of his Voice of America Mandarin media debut and archival discoveries at Academia Sinica.The conversation delves into the differences between Chinese and American legal and military systems, the impact of historical narratives on military strategy, and the importance of critical thinking in the U.S. Army. Gregory also provides insights into China's military modernization efforts and offers advice for new professors. The episode concludes with Gregory sharing his views on the perception of West Point in China and his best leadership advice.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:11 Colonel John Gregory's Background 00:53 Understanding Philology 01:41 Media Encounters and Gitmo Discussion 02:38 Fulbright Experience in Taiwan 04:22 Research on Chinese Law and Archives 06:55 US-China Legal System Comparison 12:40 Cadet Development and Language Studies 16:15 Cultural Differences in Military Practices 21:03 China's Historical and Political Context 23:03 US-China Competition and Modernization 38:08 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion Loved this episode? Remember to rate, review, follow, and share this podcast with others.Resources found in this episode:Learn more:Website: https://www.westpoint.edu/academicsInterested in Teaching at West Point? Join us: https://bit.ly/TEACHWPBooks Mentioned in the Episode:Stillwell and the American Experience in China by Barbara TuchmanThe Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich EngelsTruth and Method by Hans-Georg GadamerMimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature by Erich AuerbachWorks by Michel FoucaultConnect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Dean.USMA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usmadean X: https://www.twitter.com/deanusma Threads: https://www.threads.net/@dean.usma YouTube: https://bit.ly/INSIDEWP-YOUTUBECredits:Guest: Colonel John Gregory Host: Brigadier General Shane Reeves: (http://linkedin.com/in/shane-reeves-7950a31b3)Recording: West Point Public Affairs-Visual InformationProduction: Growth Network Podcasts: (https://growthnetworkpodcasts.com) Publisher: West Point Press (https://westpointpress.com)This episode does not imply Federal endorsement.