We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Westley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.

Laura, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

War Virgin – my memoir and play.

War Virgin is my story of repression, temptation, and liberation. It’s my coming of age story. It’s the compass I wish I had before embarking upon adulthood.

I had grown up in a religiously repressive home and faced similar forces while a cadet at West Point. Then as a 24-year old junior officer in the US Army, I suddenly found myself on the brink of war – the Iraq invasion. While at war, the strict framework that I had abided by for my entire life – one of purity and perfection – began to unravel…

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Growing up, I never set out to become an author / playwright / storyteller. I was all about working in STEM, before STEM ever became a concept and term. I actually do have a day job in technology, but I identify more with my creative endeavors. For years I’ve lived the paradox of wanting to create art but not being able to transform that into a viable living, financially.

After graduating from high school as salutatorian of my class, I went to the United States Military Academy, aka West Point, and graduated from there with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Chemistry. Upon graduation, I commissioned as an officer in the US Army and served on Active Duty for five years. My speciality was Human Resources Management, and I became an expert in aviation career management. My service also included serving during the Iraq invasion of 2003, as a member of the 3rd Infantry Division.

When my Army service obligation concluded, I started my civilian career in technology, concentrating on the health care and pharmaceutical industries. This happened “accidentally,” as I knew I wanted a “good” job but wasn’t sure what to do. As I navigated this dramatic transition to civilian life, I started experiencing a lot of mental health challenges, especially with PTSD, as this condition wasn’t as well known as it is now. While seeking treatment, especially therapy, I also grappled with wanting to make meaning out of my pain and suffering. I wanted it to count for something. Eventually, I realized I needed to write my story.

Over the next eight years, I took classes and workshops in creative writing, stand up comedy, and storytelling. War Virgin was shaping up to not just be a memoir, but also a theatrical performance. The show had many iterations, starting with a one-woman show and eventually becoming a full-fledged musical comedy show. I hired a stage director and actors, including a drag queen.

Upon publication, I took the book and show on a tour up the East Coast of the United States, which included a stop at West Point for my fifteen year reunion.

I’m most grateful for the people who partnered with me to make the book and show what it is. I couldn’t have done this alone. I’m most proud of sharing the raw truth with the general public and putting my heart and soul out there for everyone to witness.

While nothing like War Virgin existed to help prepare me for my unique life adventures, I hope it helps others, not just with preparing for adulthood, but also to not feel so alone with their own unique life challenges.

I’m delighted there’s still an interest in my story, as I am still asked to do book events. And the show will come alive again in the summer of 2026.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I feel like I am constantly pivoting! The world is moving so fast!

There’s no way I could have finished publishing War Virgin and gone on a self-created tour while working full-time in technology. I took advantage of a corporate layoff to complete this creative project.

Even when my creative work isn’t as consuming, I still have to pivot in my tech career as the economy and political landscape are constantly changing. With tech also rapidly changing, I find myself having to change focus in my specialties if I want to remain employed.

I’m not one of those people who can wake up at 5am, write for a few hours, and then carpe diem on their day job. I need copious amounts of sleep, and for my health, it’s important that I also prioritize exercise. I won’t sacrifice my health or self-care for my job or my creative projects. So whatever time I can squeeze in for writing – that’s all I have. That’s adulting, no matter how frustrating it may feel.

I recently started a new job and yet again find myself shuffling my schedule to accommodate everything… It’s important to remain adaptable.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The freedom of expression!

In the military I was not allowed to “bad mouth” my Commander In Chief. I had to deny my “self” for the collective whole. As a civilian, I can say whatever the @$%& I want (within reason, especially while employed in a corporate setting).

War Virgin encapsulates me finding myself. That includes self expression. And in my writings, that’s where I feel my voice is most powerful.

Being a creative also allows me to process peculiar experiences and make more sense of them. Additionally, I get to challenge societal norms. Currently I’m writing a humorous novel about the priesthood within the Catholic Church. Stay tuned… :-)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://warvirgin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warvirgin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.westley01
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-westley
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@warvirgin