Malynda Cameron

Share your military spouse story:
I worked for a DOD contracted airline that provided transportation for families pcsing to overseas locations as well as military members on their way to and from deployments. I would be the last person they saw when starting a new chapter in their military careers as well as leaving their family behind for six months as they support and defend our nation from those that wish to do us harm. It was during one of these flights that I met my husband. We only saw each other for a few hours each week as I flew in to his location and he assisted with unloading the passengers. But during those few short hours we both felt a spark between us. We had been speaking for only a few months before our contract abruptly ended and we ended up not seeing each other for 6 months until his deployment was finally over. Over that time our love only continued to grow. He finally came home and we’ve been together ever since. But only about a year and a half after arriving at Dover he was tasked to deploy again and my heart sank. We had been apart more than we had been together but I we were determined to be together. The deployment wasn’t easy but love prevailed and came out stronger because of it. Shortly after arriving at Dover I accepted a job with the Joint Personal Effects Depot. It is an organization that processes, inventories and prepares personal effects to be returned to loved ones of those that have passed while serving. It is humbling experience to be a part of that mission and to be able to proved some closure to those families in their time of grievance. The following year we got married and the military life has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs but we’ve never given up on each other because the moment we saw each other, it was love at first sight and we were wanted to be together no matter where the Air Force sent us.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
I became a key spouse at our squadron because I didn’t receive any support during the deployment and it was extremely challenging for me to get through it without a support system. I did not want anyone else to have to go through that experience alone, away from their family and support. I reached out to spouses of deployed members to let them know they are not alone and are alway here to provide guidance, mentorship and support. I hosted events to bring us closer together and provide a sense of comfort during difficult times of military life. We recently organized, planned and executed a spouse welcome and orientation day which spouses could spend a day in the life of their military spouses, learn what they do, and experience what their day to day life is like.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I volunteer my off time for an organization called Veterans United Outreach of Delaware and they provide awareness of education, medical and support opportunities to veterans across the entire state of Delaware. If there’s a veteran late on a utility payment, needing a place to stay, looking for a job, or just struggling with the stressors of post military service, the organization can and will provide support for all of those things, no questions asked. It is extremely rewarding to be able to give back to the veteran community in Delaware. I’ve been part of many events hosted by the outreach program including the most recent called Operation Feed the Troops where we fed over 900 military members and their families a thanksgiving meal, providing a piece of home and easing the stress of having to cook a large meal during the holidays.

Describe how you support your community:
I support the community through the local organizations I volunteer for. I also volunteer for a non profit organization called pursuit for peace. At pursuit for peace we are dedicated to spreading joy and peace through our character ambassador programs. Our services are only available to children and children’s communities that are medically sensitive. We will dress up as their favorite movie characters and visit them when they are most vulnerable. We also raise money throughout the year and give back to families that are facing financial hardships due to their children needing extensive medical care. I actively recruit military spouses and encourage them to give back to local community.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I advocate for every spouse having the support they need to get through the rigors of military life. A military spouse will experience things no other spouse in the civilian world will from moving every few years deployments, being away from family for extended periods of time, etc. Everyone should have someone they can turn to for help, support and guidance and I want to be that person. From the new spouse that just got married to the spouse that’s been married to someone in the military for 10+ years. There’s no limit to who I want to help.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I spread my message during our quarterly commander’s meetings in front of a squadron of 450 members and use that time to bring up issues affecting our military spouses and bring awareness to support programs and upcoming team building and community events they can participate in. I want everyone to feel like they are a part of the community and leave no one behind.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
I hope to continue my work within the community and with military spouses within the squadron and collaborate with other key spouses across the base to work on those challenges affecting our military spouses.