Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Pat Williams, center, encouraged women to pursue careers in intelligence
at the group's first organizational meeting.
 
By Nirvana Bhatia
Master's candidate in Human Rights
Josef Korbel School of International Studies
 
After a two-year hiatus, the Denver Women in International Security organization is back in business.
 
Retired U.S Navy Capt. Pat Williams helped re-launch the group with a passionate presentation. Speaking mostly about her personal experience, Williams touched on a number of insider issues including women in the force, securing an intelligence position and military benefits.
 
"The career potential as a woman was one of the main reasons I joined," she said. "I was never discriminated against in order to progress in my career."
 
Williams shared that only 1 percent of the entire force deals with intelligence, and so analysts have a high level of responsibility early on. To be an intelligence analyst, an individual needs solid briefing, research, analytical and writing skills, in addition to a calm demeanor.
 
"Navy should be jack-of-all trades; they train us in everything so we can adapt more easily to changing environments," Williams said, mentioning that naval officers were currently fighting on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq. "The intelligence picture has totally changed: We're now dealing with things we can't necessarily see."
 
Williams cultivated most of those skills while she was on active duty, serving in the Pentagon in Washington D.C., the Philippines and Japan before joining the reserve units.
 
Although attendance at the event was small, group president Heather Beebe was pleased with the turnout.
 

"We have some great resources here, and it's nice that Pat can provide us with a picture of the professional environment considering some of us will have internships in the field this summer," Beebe said.
 
After retiring in 2008 following 26 years of service, Williams is now pursuing a master's degree in Homeland Security at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. She is also an intern at the Denver mayor's office, where her briefing skills have been an invaluable asset.
 
"I thoroughly loved my career," Williams said. "I had the most interesting jobs at a young age, and many responsibilities. I wouldn't change a thing. Not many people can say that."