Kayla Williams

Kayla Williams is a former sergeant and Arabic linguist in a Military Intelligence company of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).  She is the author of “Love My Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army,” a memoir about her experiences negotiating the changing demands on today's military.

Kayla Williams is a former sergeant and Arabic linguist in a Military Intelligence company of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). During her deployment to Iraq, Williams was at the forefront of troops' interaction with Iraqis, while also navigating the challenges of being part of the 15 percent of the Army that is female. She is the author of “Love My Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army,” a memoir about her experiences negotiating the changing demands on today's military. Williams graduated cum laude with a BA in English Literature from Bowling Green State University and earned her Masters in International Affairs with a focus on the Middle East from American University. She sits on the board of directors of Grace After Fire, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women veterans. She currently lives near Washington, D.C. with her husband, a combat wounded veteran.