Leys joined the Army in 2001 with the goal of paying for her college education. After serving in Iraq, she returned to Maryland, where she is attending Prince George’s Community College while raising her 6-year-old son. You joined the Army just months prior to Sept. 11. How did that event shape your military experience?

I was in training on Sept. 11. All of the sudden, they had us standing on guard with our M-16s. It was such a monumental moment. I just knew nothing was going to be the same; I knew at some point I was going to war.

Recommended Stories

Some of Chicago’s crimes are merely widespread immigration fraud

Will Republicans distance themselves from Trump after the midterm elections?

DC’s most pressing post-midterm question: What to do about Social Security’s pending insolvency?