Kaylan Harrington, US Air Force, US Army  and US Army National Guard (CW3) - Mentor

Kaylan (Chief) Harrington joins VCR again for 2021 as a Lead mentor. Kaylan first joined VCR as a rider in 2018 and returned in 2019 as a mentor. Kaylan said, “I was left speechless at the kindness and gratitude of complete strangers we met. It reminded me again and again how truly amazing this country is! I came home re-energized, realizing that motorcycles and riding, something I’ve always loved, can be used as this incredible platform to help Veterans here at home!” She hopes to once again share her own VCR experience with the new riders and continue to learn from other Veterans ways to help.
A natural leader, Kaylan excelled as lead mentor. We are honored to have her join us again in 2021.

Kaylan was born and raised in San Jose, California. She comes from a long line of incredible veterans from WWI to present. Kaylan had just started her first semester of college when the twin towers fell. After watching 9/11 unfold from her college classroom, she dropped out that very day and found the nearest recruiter… joining the Air Force just two days later. She spent 8 years in the Air Force as an Intel Analyst and Interrogator, deploying three times to Iraq attached to various U.S. Army and Marine units in locations including Camp Bucca, Al Qaim and Al Asad, Iraq. Realizing that she loved being around Soldiers and wanting a new challenge, she transferred to the Army in 2009. Kaylan graduated Warrant Officer School and served in 2BDE, 25th Infantry Division, deploying to Diyala, Iraq for a year in 2010. In 2013, she moved to the Maryland Army National Guard and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Special Operations, serving as a female engagement team member in austere locations throughout eastern Afghanistan. It was here she discovered her love and passion for the women &children of the country. In 2017 she returned to Afghanistan as a member of the NATO Special Operations Detachment and continued her work with the local children, working to build schools, expand educational opportunities for girls, and treating battered and abused Afghan women at local clinics throughout the country. ​

Kaylan has been passionate about riding since before she can remember. She bought her first bike on her 16th birthday: a Kawasaki Ninja EX500. She rode her Ninja religiously, never going a day without heading somewhere along the California coast. Along the Pacific Coast Highway, she discovered the feeling of absolute freedom and happiness that the bike gave her. An avid rider for over 20 years, Kaylan completed Yamaha’s racing school and multiple advanced rider clinics throughout the country. She eventually made the move to cruisers. After Veterans Charity Ride in 2018, she brought home her first Indian, a Scout Bobber. She is a member of the Black Hill American Legion Riders and American Legion Auxiliary.