Rachael Conner

Share your military spouse story:
Sixteen years ago, I began my military spouse journey as I married my high school sweetheart at 19 years old. At our first duty station, Moody AFB, I felt called to serve fellow spouses. I became the first-ever Key Spouse for the 723 AMXS, supporting over 300 spouses during our four-year tour. We then PCS’d to Charleston AFB, where our two sons were born, one with Autism. While navigating the challenges of EFMP, I found purpose in learning about the program and connecting with other families. In 2017, we received orders to JBLM in Washington state. Seattle had always been a dream for our family, but it was overshadowed by the heartbreaking loss of both my father and father-in-law within eight months of each other. This tragedy taught us to live life to its fullest, inspiring us to buy an RV and live in it full-time during our four-year tour. This strengthened our family, allowed us to save money, and helped us provide financial support to my handicapped siblings from across the country. I was determined to make them proud and carry on their strong sense of purpose. At JBLM, I continued serving families, especially during the COVID outbreak. I organized virtual events for spouses and children, building resilience in an uncertain time. I remained involved in the EFMP program and as a Key Spouse, finding ways to empower others. After four years, we PCS’d to Albuquerque for 18 months of training, where we experienced a tragic miscarriage. This fueled my passion to support others enduring similar pain. Shortly after, we conceived our daughter and made our last move at 9 months pregnant. I am a self proclaimed “DITY” mover and love helping others plan their moves. Now we are at Moody AFB again. I organize pre-deployment briefings, and Military Child Appreciation events. I promote monthly spouse events, book club, coffee gatherings, walking club, and a playgroup. My passion is creating connections and advocating for the needs of families, ensuring no one feels alone.

Share an example of your leadership experience within the military community:
At the start of hurricane season, I published a Hurricane Awareness informational packet for Moody AFB, providing key preparedness and recovery resources at local, state, and federal levels. This digital packet included embedded links for preparations, evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and financial assistance options through FEMA and Air Force Aide Society ensuring military families were equipped to face potential storms and evacuations. During a year marked by two major hurricanes, I also organized Facebook support threads to provide 3,000 spouses with AFAS emergency fund answers, helping families navigate evacuation processes. Additionally, I opened my home to those in need and coordinated supply donations, connecting donors with impacted families. My efforts strengthened preparedness, fostered community resilience, and ensured families had the resources and support necessary to recover following multiple days without power and major wind damage.

Describe your involvement in the military community:
I dedicate my time and expertise to enhancing the quality of life for service members and their families. As a participant in Community Action Team meetings, I collaborated with Moody AFB support agencies to identify and resolve critical issues affecting readiness. Through strategic integration of programs and initiatives, I addressed individual, family, and community concerns from a spouse perspective, ensuring our military community thrives in the face of unique challenges. My contributions included recommendations to improve support systems, bridge resource gaps, and foster a sense of unity and resilience among military families. These efforts reflect my commitment to empowering our community and enhancing its connectedness. I also attended several Flying Tigers Private Organization Development Team meetings where I gathered valuable insights from local businesses and Moody AFB private organizations to strengthen connections and shared these opportunities with spouses.

Describe how you support your community:
I have passionately supported my community by fostering connections, providing resources, and creating opportunities for military families to thrive. I successfully coordinated 12 base-wide meetups open to 3,000 spouses, held at both on and off-base facilities, creating a bridge between the local business community and the families. These events provided support to spouses, encouraging meaningful relationships and strengthening the bond between families. To further support families during deployments, I hosted a Deployment Story Time at a local coffee shop. I read a book to 25+ children, planned a themed craft to engage them, and collaborated with active duty members to display equipment, giving the children a tangible connection to their parents’ missions. Additionally, I partnered with Military Family Life Counselors to provide on-site support and resources to attending families. These efforts brought comfort, knowledge, and a sense of belonging to our military community.

What do you advocate for? Why?
I passionately advocate for connectedness and the empowerment that comes through knowledge, as I believe these are the cornerstones of resilience. Being a military spouse is undeniably challenging, but ignorance and isolation only deepen those struggles. Knowledge equips us to navigate military life with confidence—understanding financial resources, knowing where to seek help, and building strong support networks are vital. I am proud to be SafeTALK certified, allowing me to identify those in crisis and take action to prevent suicide. I vulnerably and selflessly strive to foster communication, provide access to base resources, and build a safety net so no one faces hardships alone. My advocacy is grounded in the belief that empowered families are strong families, and strong families are the backbone of mission success. Through connection and knowledge, I am committed to helping our military community overcome any challenge together.

How have you spread the message of your platform/advocacy?
I have spread the message of my advocacy through various channels, ensuring that military families stay informed and connected. I utilize Facebook to share updates and resources, reaching a wide audience with crucial information. Additionally, I create and distribute monthly newsletters, which provide timely updates, upcoming events for base and local opportunities, and available resources for military spouses. I have also contributed valuable feedback to the Community Action Team, a group that includes base leadership and key agencies like the Military and Family Readiness Center, Child Care Programs, and Mental Health services. By sharing insights from the military spouse community, I help shape programs and services that better meet the needs of our families, fostering a stronger, more resilient base community. Through these efforts, I am able to amplify the voice of military spouses and advocate for their needs, ensuring needs are heard at the highest levels possible.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
As the AFI Military Spouse of the Year®, I hope to further develop my leadership skills, learning from others who are also passionate about supporting military families. I want to advocate for issues that have a broad reach, connecting with key decision-makers across our nation and influencers who can help implement meaningful change within the military community. Additionally, I aim to expand my network, spreading knowledge and creating new opportunities for collaboration. By connecting with other military spouses and organizations, I hope to bring more people together, ensuring that all military spouses have a strong support system—a village that they can turn to for guidance, resources, and community. This platform would empower me to amplify the voices of military spouses and help create lasting, positive change across our community. My hope is to shine my light on this world and make it brighter for those who find themselves in a dark place—hoping that they do the same one day!