William Prom

• Branch: U.S. Marine Corps
• Years Served: 2009–2014
• Rank: Captain
• Military Occupation: Artillery Officer, 0802
• Hometown: Franklin, WI
• Twitter Handle: @wjprom

Tell us a little about you outside of the military:

Since leaving the Marine Corps, I started writing on military history as a hobby, which developed into a career with freelance work. My work can be found in Naval History Magazine and the Center for International Maritime Security. In 2022, I was named the U.S. Naval Institute’s Naval History Author of the Year.

I currently serve as the Development Director at NextOp, a nonprofit veteran service organization, which I joined in 2022. It provides employment assistance and direct placement services for transitioning service members and veterans. My wife and I moved back to Wisconsin after 18 years of living all over the country so our three children could grow up closer to their grandparents and extended family.

Why are you joining the IAVA Cavalry?

I’ve been searching for ways to contribute more meaningfully to the veteran community, and I believe that IAVA Cavalry will help me develop professionally while supporting veterans. In my role at NextOp, my involvement in providing direct services is limited, so I look forward to being more hands-on with policy development and advocacy through IAVA.

How did your military experience shape you to be the person you are today?

My military experience gave me an outstanding education, expanded my worldview, and allowed me to lead Marines from every background imaginable. It also taught me the value of collaboration, whether within small teams or multi-national joint exercises.

After my service, I transitioned into nonprofit work and realized how lucky I was. Even with advantages, my transition was difficult, and many veterans face greater challenges. I now view it as my duty to support veterans, and my work in this space has been even more impactful than my time in the Marine Corps.

Which one of IAVA’s policy priorities do you believe is the most pressing? Why?

I believe that the IAVA policy priority focused on seeing more from America’s democracy is the most pressing. All of IAVA’s policies are crucial, but none are possible without first ensuring the security of the democratic processes outlined in the Constitution. As veterans who swore to defend the Constitution, IAVA members are uniquely suited to support this policy.

Which one of IAVA’s policy priorities do you have the strongest personal connection to? Why?

I have the strongest personal connection to the priority of ensuring the perpetuation of America’s democracy. As the only veteran in both mine and my wife’s extended families, I’ve been criticized for not supporting the January 6, 2021 insurrectionists. The growing comfort with authoritarianism in this country terrifies me, and I believe that education and advocacy are critical in overcoming it, which is where the IAVA Cavalry can help.