Eagles NFL cheerleader trades in pom-poms for army service

Former Eagles NFL cheerleader (2007 to 2009) Rachel Washburn opted to trade in, her pompoms for an M4 carbine. Today, she is a first lieutenant in the United States Army.
Rachel served in two tours of duty in Afghanistan. She went through a dangerous and stressful task of going around the area, searching and talking to Afghan women and children.

Washburn told media regarding the mission she was in:

We could be their voice during missions for engagement to ensure security on objectives, and we could help search and secure the females and the children during missions

The 25 years old Rachel Washburn also participated in other civic works in Philadelphia, wherein she used to go on trips to hospitals, including a USO trip to Iraq.

The used-to-be cheerleader said, Cheerleading is more than just dancing and staying pretty for the audience.

We're all beautiful women who are there to be entertaining at games, but also, we are incredibly involved in the community, which is something that I am incredibly proud of

Rachel is a graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia. She was raised in a military family.