Amanda Estes

Share your military spouse story:
My military spouse journey began in 2012 when I met my husband. I always respected men and women in the military and the sacrifice they make everyday so when I messaged him online the first thing I did was thanked him for his sacrifice for our country. For my husband, that made him interested in me. In June of 2013 we were married. It was a whirlwind for me to learn the lingo of the Air Force and what was all entailed with deployments. In September of 2013 my husband came home with news that he was deploying. I was sad but at the same time I knew what I signed up for and I was ready to support my husband. In 2015 we gave birth to our first daughter Madelyn. My husband then went on another deployment which left me alone with her. In 2018 we had our other daughter, Ellie. Right after she was born my husband had to leave again. As a military spouse, I have always sought out to build a military community to build relationships and help other spouses to help others in hard times.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
While I was at Hill A.F.B I was involved with the Key Spouse program. I was on the key spouse program for 6 months then stepped down due to family medical issues. In 2023 I became a member of the Davis-Monthan (D-M) Spouses Club and then took the role of Vice President in 2024. My duties as Vice President included overseeing the D-M Cookie Crunch which organized and collected cookies for the first sergeants to pick-up and deliver cookies to the dorm residents. I also promoted the spouses club on and off base as well as organizing and working fundraisers for the D-M Spouses Club. My efforts helped raise $41K which went to scholarships for military spouses and dependents in 2024 and $36.5K in 2025. In September of 2025 I stepped down as V.P and worked the grants position. I stepped down in October when I found out I had breast cancer. I currently help the different board members when I can since I was V.P such as helping with community events such as the D-M Cookie Crunch.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
Due to having breast cancer I have stepped down from my position as Grants Chairman. I am still a spouses club member and I still consult and offer support to various members. After my surgery in February I want to continue to help the spouses club board members and volunteer at the D-M Thrift store which the spouses club partners to raise money for scholarships for military spouses and dependents.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
As V.P of the D-M Spouses club, I felt that it should be not just for spouses, but for the military member as well. I felt that they should be able to work as board members and be included into board positions. With this movement, positions were filled which allowed board members to only have to focus on one role and not have to do two roles at once. We have had three military members become board members allowing for some alleviation of duties to other board members. These members are able to shed some valuable light on the needs of the military community as a whole and not just the civilian side. This has allowed a more cohesive community here at D-M. The individuals that have joined our board have been able to use their involvement in the D-M Spouses club to get awards and nominations such as the "Bob Hope Award" and the "Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal"

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My main advocacy effort is to build a bridge between military spouses and their husbands or wives who were currently serving or have served and are retired. I felt that D-M Spouses club should support not just spouses, but their significant others by increasing networking among spouses and military members. One example of that is that in August of 2024, my husband became "Out-Reach Chairman". He attended base events promoting the D-M Spouses club. As he was out connecting with other members, he was able recruit a Senior Airman to join the spouses club and then became a "Thrift Shop Operations Chairman". It then became a snowball effect and two other Senior Airman joined the D-M Spouses Club and are now serving in board positions.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
During my time as Vice President I was involved in the "Right Start" Briefings where I was able to speak to military members and their spouses who just P.C.S'd to D-M A.F.B. I also attended events like "National Night Out" which was a block party on base housing. I was able to speak to military families and promote the D-M Spouses Club. Lastly, I attended "Heartlink" in which I connected with spouses who were brand new to the Air Force and also to Davis-Monthan A.F.B.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If I were to get this award I would use it to continue to advocate for spouse cohesion as well and cohesion among the military members. After I defeat cancer, I would like to use this award and title to continue to be a voice to build military community on Davis-Monthan A.F.B and increase community and connection. Lastly, I would want to use this title to create lasting change and inspire others to step up to be a beacon the military community and ensure that families are taken care of especially when a military member deploys.