18th SFS employs first Japanese female civilian guard

Shoko Higa, 18th Security Forces Squadron reports and analysis administrator specialist, became the first female civilian guard in the security forces squadron in August 2003. After being a civilian guard for five years, Higa became the first Japanese civilian in the reports and analysis section of the squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins/Released)

18th SFS employs first Japanese female civilian guard

Shoko Higa, 18th Security Forces Squadron reports and analysis administrator specialist, draws a picture of a security forces civilian guard for his birthday on Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 23, 2013. Before becoming a civilian guard with the security forces squadron, Higa was a contractor with the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins/Released)

18th SFS employs first Japanese female civilian guard

A picture of Brig. Gen. Molloy, former 18th Wing commander, was drawn by Shoko Higa, 18th Wing Security Forces Squadron reports and analysis administrator specialist, on Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 26, 2013. Higa likes to draw and is requested to draw pictures of individuals who are leaving the squadron or Kadena as a going-away present. (Courtesy photo/Released)

18th SFS employs first Japanese female civilian guard

Shoko Higa, former 18th Security Forces Squadron civilian guard (center), poses for a picture with her fellow co-workers on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 3, 2005. Before becoming a civilian guard with the security forces squadron, Higa was a contractor with the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron. (Courtesy photo/Released)

18th SFS employs first Japanese female civilian guard

Published May 29, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Ten women line up to show their strength. She's nervous and wonders if her petite frame will be enough to complete the task at hand.

Sweat runs down her nose as she completes a round of push-ups and is one step closer to her prize -- civilian guard.

Shoko Higa, 18th Security Forces Squadron reports and analysis administrator specialist, began her journey as a contractor with the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron.

As her four-year contract began to run out, she knew she wanted to remain employed on the base, so she began the search for another job. With her security major background and a variety of security licenses, she set her eyes on becoming the first female civilian guard on Kadena.

"I like their style," said Higa, now a 10-year security forces veteran. "Everyone works together and it is a good work environment. We are like one big family."

Higa faced a variety of challenges, ranging from self doubt to the first time handling a weapon.

"I was surprised when they called me for an interview," Higa said. "I thought I couldn't make it because I'm not a big lady. I thought they wanted a tough lady that could do judo or karate or something."

After completing the physical portion of her test, it was time for her to qualify with a weapon. Although this was Higa's first time, she showed her competitive nature and scored an excellent, which is a score of 45.

Once she began her duties, Higa knew she wanted to give members entering the base a joyful, friendly experience.

Higa said when she would come to the gate before she became a civilian guard, she saw a lot of Japanese guys -- never a female -- and they would not talk to her; they just did their job.

"I thought they were not friendly. I said 'Okay, I'm going to do my style and be friendly'," Higa said. "I always made it fun, but during an exercise or serious case I was serious."

After working as a civilian guard for five years and joking with the patrons of the base, a new position opened up in the reports and analysis section in the squadron.

She then became the first Japanese female in that section and plans to remain with the squadron as long as she can.

"I like this squadron and I don't want to leave," Higa said. "I will challenge myself with different things, as long as it's within the security forces squadron."