Rachel Beierle: Founder of The Mil Project
Rachel Beierle is a military spouse originally from Buffalo, New York (GO BILLS)! After leaving the East Coast, she and her boyfriend (now husband), Connor, moved out west for graduate school where Rachel studied Architecture and Design. Rachel finished school and launched her career into world of design while Connor became a pilot in the National Guard, their first introduction to the military community.
Navigating Change
During Connor’s pilot training, the couple’s journey took them to Laughlin Air Force Base (AFB) near Del Rio in Texas.
And if you’re not familiar with Del Rio, it is fairly remote. “I knew I was about to jump into a whole new type of life, but I definitely underestimated exactly what I was getting into,” she recalls. She realized her San Francisco career in design needed to pivot and Rachel wasn’t going to let these lonely bases stump her creativity. She found her way into E-design! “Being a military spouse sort of forced me to build my own thing, which honestly is a total blessing.”
Eventually, they found their way to Joint Base Andrews in Washington D.C. Their family grew, and now Rachel was balancing being a mom of two, working and adding in yet another move back out west to Edwards AFB. During this time, her entrepreneurial spirit led her to launch her own firm, Beier Le Design, allowing her to merge her passion for creativity with the flexibility her family life required.
At Edwards, she was drawn to the tight-knit community. “I think when you’re stuck in a remote location like this it’s important to lean on that community,” she goes on to say “since I’m hanging with the spouses all the time I started noticing a lot of the same pain points brought up-lack of things to do, long drives into town, typical fast food options, nowhere for family to stay.”
The Birth of The Mil Project
This is when The Mil Project was born, an idea that combined her impeccable design background with her love for the military community.
The Mil Project will be a collective of micro-resorts near those remote installations that need it most and will serve as a bridge connecting the local community with the nearby military base. “I want to use my background and skillset to modernize and improve the lodging, dining, and retail experiences around the military.”
The project is taking root at Edwards AFB, with the vision to grow across our nation, integrated into all branches, not just the Air Force.
Reimaging Base Life
Rachel laughs as she references a skit by comedian and military spouse Ashley Gutermuth from her last tour here, joking about military base reviews, the opening line is ‘welcome to the pit of despair’. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about,” she says. “The Mil Project is working to change that.”
She’s currently building a network of founding members who will have access to early updates, discounts, and design input as the project takes shape.
“We truly want to build this with our community in mind,” she says.
If you’re interested in supporting the mission or getting involved, you can fill out this quick survey.
Rachel’s key to Resilience
Rachel’s perspective on resilience is rooted in reframing challenges.
“If something sucks, think of how you can reframe it.” Yes, there are definitely moments of frustration that come with jumping feet first into military life. “When Connor was deployed just weeks after having our first baby I was scared to death, but then I started thinking what other time in my life would I ever be able to bond more closely with my little girl.”
Rachel has chosen to look at what the military has given her, instead of what it has taken away. Places like Del Rio or the Mojave Desert might not have been her first choice, but they’ve offered unique experiences and lifelong friendships.
No matter where you are on your journey, whether a seasoned spouse or new to this world, Rachel’s story is a reminder that creativity and community can grow anywhere. Her ability to reframe challenges into opportunity has not only shaped her path but is now reshaping how military families experience the places they call home. Through The Mil Project, she’s proving that resilience isn’t just about adapting, it’s about building something beautiful in the process.
To learn more about Rachel and The Mil Project, use the links below:
