Rachel Washburn | |
|---|---|
 Cadet Washburn in 2009 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1987/1988 (age 36–37) |
| Occupation |
|
| Education | BA, Drexel U. (2010) |
| Military career | |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 2010–2016 |
| Rank | First lieutenant |
Rachel Washburn (born 1987 or 1988) is a former United States Army officer and former cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Personal life[]
The daughter of Lon Washburn, Rachel Washburn is a military brat;[1] she endured at least twelve moves while her father flew helicopters for the US Army and fighter aircraft for the US Air Force. By 2013, though, she called Philadelphia home.[2] In October 2019, Washburn was married to an active-duty soldier assigned to the United States Army Special Forces.[3]
Advised by her father to accept an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship to Ohio State University, Washburn instead accepted a "lucrative " Army ROTC scholarship to Philadelphia's Drexel University.[2] In autumn 2006, she enrolled at Drexel U. to pursue her Bachelor of Arts in history.[4] Cadet Washburn participated in 2009's Army-sponsored All-American Bowl in San Antonio alongside Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth Preston.[5]
Cheerleading[]
With a childhood background in gymnastics,[6] inspired by her friend who cheered for the Philadelphia 76ers, and with an interest in American football, Washburn was accepted by the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders in spring 2007,[4] despite having zero experience in the sport. She worked for the team for three seasons (2007–08, 08–09, and 09–10).[6] As a cheerleader for the Eagles, Washburn joined the team on a goodwill tour of Iraq and Kuwait; this reignited her passion for ROTC and military service.[4]
US Army[]
Washburn joined the United States Army in 2010.[7] After her commissioning as a second lieutenant, Washburn received paratrooper and intelligence training, and would be primarily tasked with the latter. Prior to her first deployments to Afghanistan, Washburn was trained as a cultural support team (CST) member: a female soldier attached to a special operations unit to liaise with Afghan women. Washburn wore a headscarf when working with local women, and even subbed for a midwife when she helped deliver an Afghan woman's baby. Washburn and other CST members were the first members of the program, and have considered writing a book on the topic.[4]
On her second Afghan deployment (ended 17 November 2013), Washburn led an intelligence platoon. As of December 2013[update], First Lieutenant Washburn had received a Bronze Star Medal, an Army Commendation Medal, a Combat Action Badge, and an Air Assault Badge. Then-stationed at Fort Stewart, she had a year left committed to the Army, and was considering staying for a few more.[4] Washburn left the Army in 2016.[3]
Civilian career[]
After working with a non-governmental relief organization as a regional director, Washburn was hired by the broker-dealer, Academy Securities, in 2017.[7] As of October 2019[update], she was still with the veteran-run company, applying her military intelligence skills to in the world of business. Academy Securities president Phil McConkey said of Washburn, "Rachel leads 13 admirals and generals as a junior officer. She's in charge, and she organizes all these great resources."[3]
References[]
- ↑ Almasy, Steve (2013-12-23). "Eagles honor cheerleader turned soldier" (in en). CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2013/12/22/us/cheerleader-turned-soldier-honored/index.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Smith, Alex (2013-12-22). "Rachel Washburn: An American Hero" (in en). Philadelphia Eagles. https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/article-1/Rachel-Washburn-An-American-Hero/7cdb5171-2955-4c44-8bdf-dc4f145641d8.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Shiff, Blair (2019-10-09). "NFL legend's investment firm hires veterans, helps them 'get a leg up'" (in en). Fox Business. https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/phil-mcconkey-rachel-washburn-academy-securities-hire-veteran.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Mihoces, Gary (2013-12-19). "Former Eagles cheerleader now stars for Army" (in en). USA Today. ISSN 0734-7456. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/eagles/2013/12/19/cheerleader-rachel-washburn-army-intelligence-officer-afghanistan/4134549/.
- ↑ CPT Peck, Jim (2009-01-09). "Eagles cheerleader, Army ROTC Cadet attends All-American Bowl" (in en). San Antonio: United States Army. https://www.army.mil/article/15661/eagles_cheerleader_army_rotc_cadet_attends_all_american_bowl.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Weigle, Lauren (2013-12-22). "Rachel Washburn, Cheerleader Turned Soldier: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know" (in en). Heavy.com. https://heavy.com/news/2013/12/rachel-washburn-hot-sexy-pics-army-photos-cheerleader-soldier/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Boyd, Michael (2017-10-18). "Academy Securities Adds Rachel Washburn to Its Geopolitical Strategy Team" (in en). New York City: Business Wire. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171018005889/en/Academy-Securities-Adds-Rachel-Washburn-Geopolitical-Strategy.
The original article can be found at Rachel Washburn and the edit history here.