Steve Higgs grew up in an Army family in Kent. Following in his father’s and older brothers’ footsteps he joined the REME in 1988 as a 17-year-old apprentice mechanic. He served for close to 25 years and gained a late entry commission and promotion to captain in 2010. Hanging up his uniform in 2012, he is now a prolific author.
Adventurous lifestyle
Looking back, one of the biggest things for me was the opportunity military life presented. I got to play a lot of sport and most of it was during what civilians would call ‘the working week’. Everywhere I went there was a well-stocked gym that was free to use, and adventurous training opportunities taught me to sail, ski, rock climb and paraglide to name but a few.
Education
Beyond the physical side of things there were educational pursuits. I gained a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a plethora of vocational qualifications is arenas such as health and safety. The military not only gave me the additional time I needed to complete my studies and attend the exams, they helped to pay for it! In some instances, I gained a civilian recognised qualification for attending a military course. The net result made employment easy once my military career came to its natural conclusion.
Family
Regimental life meant I was always part of a wider family. Working and living together, there was a sense of belonging that doesn’t exist outside of the military. After work and at weekends, the same teams who spent the week alongside each other would gather in the garrison bars, further strengthening the bonds they would need when it came time to deploy. Spouses and children were embraced by the same comforting inclusion, building their support network for the inevitable periods when the regiment had to deploy.
Separation
The very nature of the job dictates extended periods of separation from loved ones. My children came along after my military career, so I can only imagine how hard it must be for a parent to say goodbye to a child that will grow and change dramatically in the time they are away. I left behind a wife and two dogs many times and it clawed at my heart to have to walk away from them.
In my opinion, the separation is easier for the servicemen and women. When they go away, they do so with all their friends and colleagues. Until things get dicey, it could even be described as fun.
Constantly moving
This is one about which I still feel ambiguous. I was posted between units every few years, constantly packing everything into boxes and driving to a new garrison, often in a different country. In this there is good and bad.
With each move my spouse lost her job and there was no guarantee of employment wherever we were going. Friends were left behind, and though there are always new ones to make, starting from scratch can be hard.
At the same time, the moves could be seen as a busman’s holiday. I was sent to live in different countries where I could fully immerse myself in their geography and culture. What other job offers that? But for families with children, losing friends and switching schools must be especially hard.