BAGHDAD — A group of American intelligence specialists held a panel discussion here, Sept. 18, for the first class of Iraqi women to attend the Basic Military Intelligence Course.

“We are in awe of your willingness to take your place in the Iraqi security forces,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mary Legere, Multi-National Force - Iraq director for intelligence.  “You will, along with the men and women of the Iraqi security forces, work with us to take the fight to the enemy.”

Legere and five other women on the panel discussed the challenges they faced during the last two decades in the field of military intelligence. Several of them were the first women to arrive at their respective commands in the 1980s.

During a question and answer session, they offered the new recruits some technical insights gained from their years of experience with intelligence practices and processes.

“Know that what you are doing is really important to your country and you really are a part of the future,” said U.S. Army Maj. Italia Carson, an advisor to the Intelligence Transition Team.

“This week marks an important event for the new Iraq as we begin training women in the intelligence specialty,” said Steve Bond, director of the Intelligence Transition Team at Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq. The important message we want to send is that the Iraqi security forces are becoming stronger and women are a part of that.”