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View Full Version : Rachel Washburn, Cheerleader & Cultural Support Team


JJ_BPK
12-20-2013, 12:29
Another American Hero getting a little coverage.. :lifter

did anyone ruck with Rachel? :munchin

Former Eagles cheerleader Rachel Washburn now stars for Army,7:46 AM, Dec 20, 2013

As a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader, Rachel Washburn toted pom-poms. As an Army intelligence officer with a special ops combat unit in Afghanistan, she carried an assault rifle and pistol. She was a pioneer in a special mission to relate to local women in ways that would be culturally inappropriate for male troops - including helping deliver an Afghan baby in a snowstorm.

Washburn, 25, who recently returned from her second tour in Afghanistan, will be honored Sunday night as a "Hometown Hero" by the Eagles at their home against the Chicago Bears.

Cheerleader turned soldier? Did that turn heads when she was in military training or living in a mud hut with Green Berets in a village in Afghanistan?

"Initially, it was kind of a novelty to people I met if they ever found out," Washburn said Thursday in a phone interview from Savannah, Ga., where she was on the first day of her post-deployment leave.

"It's kind of a bit of a shock. You don't expect those two things to go hand in hand with one person."

She didn't join the Army on a whim. During her three seasons with the Eagles, Washburn was an Army ROTC student and history major at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He father was an Army helicopter pilot and an Air Force fighter pilot. She figures she moved 17 or 18 times growing up, but she calls Philadelphia home even though she just attended college there.
continued: (http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/286852/158/Former-Eagles-cheerleader-now-stars-for-Army)

MtnGoat
12-21-2013, 07:39
Well I guess no one from was on that ODA. I'm surprised the USASOC PAO didn't jump this sooner.

35NCO
12-21-2013, 18:06
I see this as a fail...

Unless she plans on getting out really soon, I find the article substance slightly frustrating. Recent pictures, Intel officer, currently stationed, current rank, served with, deployed to,..ext. I guess she is more interested in fame then furthering her career in intelligence. I cant imagine the team she served with is too pleased either. People whom like the spot light with a TS clearance seems like a bad idea. The entire article is case in point. Do we really need more "guess how awesome I am!" type people in these sectors? Maybe she served well. Would have served better saying nothing about it. IMO.

ghp95134
12-21-2013, 23:44
Nice photo ... but I wanted to see her pom-poms!

--GHP

Richard
12-22-2013, 07:19
Pro military and hometown PR piece in prep for her being recognized during the Eagles-Bears game; nothing atypical there. Sounds as if she's done well as an MI officer in a CST role - good for her. I wish her well.

Richard

The Reaper
12-22-2013, 11:06
Bless her little heart.

TR

Sdiver
12-22-2013, 11:42
Bless her little heart.

TR

Being a Yankee myself, I do know what this phrase means when uttered by Southern woman, but I'm wondering if this phrase has the same meaning when uttered by a Southern Gentleman?

1stindoor
12-23-2013, 08:18
Being a Yankee myself, I do know what this phrase means when uttered by Southern woman, but I'm wondering if this phrase has the same meaning when uttered by a Southern Gentleman?

Pretty much the same.

lindy
12-24-2013, 15:13
Well I guess no one from was on that ODA. I'm surprised the USASOC POA didn't jump this sooner.

I saw photos of her in theater wearing a ball cap. Wonder how she got away with that? ;)

ghp95134
12-24-2013, 18:07
I saw photos of her in theater wearing a ball cap. Wonder how she got away with that? ;)

She used her pom-poms as a distraction? :D

--GHP

AngelsSix
12-25-2013, 08:20
Bless her little heart.

TR

My sentiments exactly.

alelks
12-25-2013, 09:33
And how is sh getting away with wearing those earrings?

Peregrino
12-25-2013, 10:19
I see this as a fail...

Unless she plans on getting out really soon, I find the article substance slightly frustrating. Recent pictures, Intel officer, currently stationed, current rank, served with, deployed to,..ext. I guess she is more interested in fame then furthering her career in intelligence. I cant imagine the team she served with is too pleased either. People whom like the spot light with a TS clearance seems like a bad idea. The entire article is case in point. Do we really need more "guess how awesome I am!" type people in these sectors? Maybe she served well. Would have served better saying nothing about it. IMO.

In the bigger picture (desperate attempt to recruit women into the CSTs and other similar missions - or just desperate attempt to recruit) they're more than willing to sacrifice her anonymity for the greater good. I doubt seriously she had much to do with the shaping of the article. MOO - she appears to have a decent head on her shoulders and looks to match. If she makes a career of the military, she'll have no problems. There are plenty of jobs she will be able to do that don't require "secret squirrel" status. If it doesn't go to her head, a little celebrity early on will open a lot of doors down the road. Facts of life.

craigepo
12-25-2013, 10:47
Being a Yankee myself, I do know what this phrase means when uttered by Southern woman, but I'm wondering if this phrase has the same meaning when uttered by a Southern Gentleman?

When ladies at church begin a sentence with said phrase, rest assured things are about to get bad.

Pete
12-25-2013, 11:13
She's serving - a lot more than could be said of the majority of politicians.

ghp95134
12-25-2013, 11:59
She's serving - a lot more than could be said of the majority of politicians.

Well .... that is true! You could expand your statement and say, "She's serving - a lot more than could be said of the majority of politicians' children."

--GHP