Martha Mize attended the University of New Mexico and joined the US Air Force immediately after graduation in June 1973 as a second lieutenant.   ‎Her first assignment was at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC.   Her service included stints at Scott AFB in Illinois, several years in Wiesbaden, Germany, Lackland AFB in San Antonio and Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls.  

She attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and at that time managed roughly 200 staff.