He previously served as the 60th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, the first African-American to hold the position.

[2] Williams graduated from the United States Military Academy in December 1983 and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Field Artillery.

[4][5] In 2014, Williams was tapped by President Barack Obama to manage the United States' response to the West African Ebola virus epidemic.

[7] Williams's military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, United States Army Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies, and the United States Naval War College.

He holds Masters’ degrees in Leadership Development, Military Art and Science, and National Security and Strategic Studies.