Air Force widow speaks to Airmen about resiliency

Lt. Col. Paul Griffin, 336th Training Squadron commander, conducts an interview-style discussion with Linda Ambard, widow of Maj. Phil Ambard, on resiliency and wingmanship to students in the 336th TRS May 24, 2013, at the Welch Theater, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Ambard related the challenges she’s faced with the adversity the young Airmen will likely encounter and overcome in their careers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Air Force widow speaks to Airmen about resiliency

Linda Ambard, widow of Maj. Phil Ambard, speaks to 336th Training Squadron students on resiliency and wingmanship May 24, 2013, at the Welch Theater, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. Ambard related the challenges she’s faced with the adversity the young Airmen will likely encounter and overcome in their careers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

AF widow speaks to Airmen about resiliency

Published May 28, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman
81st Training Wing

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Lt. Col. Paul Griffin, 336th Training Squadron commander, held a resiliency and wingmanship presentation for technical training students May 24.

Special guest Linda Ambard, widow of an Air Force officer, spoke to the students on the importance of resiliency and support in the military community.

"What we do is not just a job," said Griffin. "It's a completely different profession with difficulties most Americans don't usually face."

As a military spouse, Ambard experienced much of the diversity and adversity the students may endure. From moving around to dealing with deployments, she stressed the idea of choosing happiness and treating even the unpleasant as beneficial.

"If there is no stress in your life, you don't develop strong roots," said Ambard.

Despite the death of her husband, Maj. Phil Ambard, who was killed in Afghanistan on a volunteer deployment in 2011, Ambard remained resilient. The death came as a shock to her and her family, but she couldn't let it stop her from living, she said.

"We can't live in fear," said Ambard. "If I had stayed curled up in the corner after my husband's death, the enemy would have gotten both of us."

Development of a strong foundation and strength through adversity are also important with each other as Airmen, Ambard reasoned.

"You're in for an adventure," Ambard told the students. "It's unpleasant right now, being yelled at and doing chores. But, it's good bonding time. You are brothers and sisters."