Lincoln woman honored for her work as a military spouse mentor

Being a military spouse is often challenging… For local woman Amber Conroy, her passion is being a mentor to others.

Conroy, a military wife living in Lincoln, won the 2019 Air Force Spouse of the year award after being nominated by her husband, Matt.

She was recognized for her work as a Key Spouse Mentor for the Military Advocacy Network.

She keeps in regular contact with about 20 military families.

“It’s kind of like a military spouse best friend… We keep involved in each others lives, and I am just there as a shoulder to lean on if they need it, or if their husband or wife are going on duty, I’m here, I am here for them and they know that I have a phone number so they can call anytime, so it’s pretty awesome,” said Amber Conroy.

Conroy’s husband Matt has been serving in the Air Force for over a decade.

Their family moved to Lincoln about a year ago.

Conroy says she wanted to get involved with the mentor program after feeling isolated at times, as a military spouse.

She now juggles being a mom, wife, working a full-time job and taking the time to keep in touch with families who have a spouse in active duty.

“I will actually call my Mom and say ‘Mom, I have a live call tonight with other spouses, can you come over and hang out with our son Hudson for a little bit so I can take this call,” said Amber Conroy.

Last week, the Conroy’s accidentally ran into current huskers football coach Scott Frost during a dinner out on the town.

Frost congratulated Amber and snapped a photo with her.

Matt Conroy hopes to someday become a commissioned officer in the Air Force.

Amber says she pushes him to be the best that he can be every day.

“He always says I am his rock and some of the things I do, he doesn’t know how I can juggle everything so I think, just coming from him, seeing everything I do, he is like, wow, that is my wife.’ He’s pretty proud of me,” said Amber Conroy.

Conroy says she usually emails, texts or calls her military spouse pals.

When a group is deployed she checks in with them to see if they need anything during the spouse’s absence at home.

“I feel absolutely blessed to have this opportunity to empower, educate and help any other military family or spouse that I  can. If my personal experience can show that to anyone else, I hope that they get involved also,” said Amber Conroy.

Amber says her family has fallen in love with the Lincoln community this past year and they hope to be living here for the long run.