In January 2000 , Williams enlisted in the U.S. Army to train as an interpreter . She was an Arabic linguist/interpreter and SIGINT operations specialist . At the time of the September 11 attacks , Kayla Williams was studying Arabic within the Army . Although she did not support the invasion of Iraq , she took part in one of the earliest invasions in March 2003 . Kayla Williams was an Arabic Linguist as well as a SIGINT operations specialist for 5 full years . This includes a full year of deployment ( 2003/2004 ) in SWA ( Iraq & Kuwait ) during the buildup to and during the invasion of Iraq . She continued to serve in Iraq until February 2004 . She served in the 101st ABN Div ( Air Assault ) , 3rd BCT , ( 187th Inf Regt ) " Rakkasans "
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Kayla Williams (author)