Higgins Martha - Cold War Veteran Interview

Cold War Veteran, Martha Higgins, was interviewed on August 8, 2021, in Norman, Oklahoma. A1C Higgins served with the 4600 Airbase Group with the U.S. Air Force from 1951 through 1954. A1C Higgins was a disbursement officer and coder for intelligence at Ent Air Force Base and Inchiklik Air Force Base (Turkey). A1C Higgins discusses her background growing up in Florida and her military service's impact on her life. @MakingHistoryProject

Summary:

Martha Higgins, born on January 15, 1931, in Clearwater, Florida, shares her vivid memories of a childhood filled with outdoor activities, community bonding, and early exposure to finance through helping her mother with insurance policy spreadsheets. This early exposure influenced her eventual career path in finance.

After graduating high school and attending Florida A&M as a music major, Higgins enlisted in the military, inspired by a visit to a recruiting station. Despite her family's mixed feelings, her decision was driven by the appeal of military benefits, education, and travel opportunities presented by the recruiter.

Higgins recounts her basic training experience at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, emphasizing the discipline, camaraderie, and rigorous schedule that shaped her and her peers into soldiers. This period was marked by a transition from civilian to military life, where she learned the importance of following orders, teamwork, and self-reliance.

Post-basic training, Higgins was assigned to finance and accounting roles within the Air Force, where she gained respect and responsibility quickly. Her military career also allowed her to travel as a dependent when her husband was stationed overseas, providing her family with a broad exposure to different cultures and experiences.

Reflecting on her service, Higgins expresses no regrets, highlighting the personal growth, opportunities, and experiences the military afforded her. She also mentions her post-military life achievements, including joining the Columbus Symphony and contributing to music education, underscoring the lasting impact of her military discipline and training on her civilian life.

Видео Higgins Martha - Cold War Veteran Interview канала Making History Project