About growing up in a military family, including his time as a teen in vietnam during the late 1950s. He also describes his experiences as a west point that, his years teaching at military colleges, and time when Newt Gingrich audited his class. The interview is held by the west point center for a history great it is about an hour and 40 minutes. Today is 13 november 2015, and i am in the center for oral history with Esther Kenneth g carlson. How are you, sir . Col. Kenneth carlson i am fine. Could you spell your name for us. You are not the only carlson in your class. Col. Kenneth carlson there is another one in the class with the same name. I am kenneth g carlson and i was a basketball player. Did that cause any problems for you . Col. Kenneth carlson absolutely, it did. I walked in with my bag, and the people who had the roster said you have already signed in. And i said no i havent i just walked in the door. Kenneth carlson, you have already signed in. And i said i really have not.