Islamic State horrors have drawn some U.S. veterans back into battle, and then there’s Samantha Jay, the 25 year-old mother of three small children who left everything to fight the Islamic State.

Samantha Lois Jay Johnston, her full name according to U.S. Army records, served from 2008-2011 as a geospatial engineer. She is a divorced mother of a five year-old and a pair of three-year-old twins. She hails from Emerald Island, N.C.Jay talked with us via Facebook chat:

“It was extremely hard. I cried on the way to the airport and almost decided not to go. But if I did then I’d never forgive myself … ” Jay declined to say who is caring for her children, except to say they are in a safe place. (Jay has a sister, who independently contacted The DCNF.)

So what motivated this veteran to take up arm ... Tovább »