PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — Rachel Washburn’s journey from NFL cheerleader to U.S. Army intelligence officer and combat veteran has earned her a place among the nominees for the 2026 NFL Salute to Service Award. After two deployments to Afghanistan and six years on active duty, the former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader is now using her experience to support veterans and encourage young women pursuing military service.

Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers and airmen at Philadelphia Eagles training camp military appreciation day
Pennsylvania National Guard members at Military Appreciation Day at Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp, August 5, 2013. U.S. National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Ted Nichols; public domain.

From The Eagles Cheerleading Squad To Army Service

Washburn was part of the Eagles Cheerleaders from 2007 to 2010 while studying at Drexel University, where she also participated in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). She balanced university studies, military training and dance, demonstrating an unusual commitment to both professional performance and military leadership.

Her connection with the military community began early. In 2008, while still an Eagles cheerleader, she joined a team visit to U.S. service members stationed in Iraq and Kuwait. The two-week goodwill tour brought support and a connection to home to more than 1,000 deployed personnel, according to the Philadelphia Eagles.

After completing her education and military training, Washburn served six years on active duty as an Army intelligence officer, eventually reaching the rank of captain. Her first Afghanistan deployment was with the pioneering Cultural Support Team programme, which selected women to work alongside Special Operations forces. Her second deployment was as an intelligence platoon leader.

Two Afghanistan Deployments And A Historic Role

During her first deployment, Washburn spent nine months living in a remote village in southern Afghanistan with a Special Forces team. Her work included training local security forces, engaging with Afghan women and supporting more than 100 combat operations.

The Cultural Support Team programme was significant because women were not yet formally permitted to serve in all direct-combat roles. Female soldiers were able to engage with local women in settings where cultural restrictions often limited interaction between Afghan women and male service members. Washburn was among the early women selected and trained for this demanding assignment.

Following her deployments, she received the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge. Her military experience placed her among women who helped expand the visibility and operational contribution of female service members in environments traditionally dominated by men.

Turning Military Experience Into Support For Veterans

Washburn’s commitment to service continued after she left active duty in 2016. Following work with a relief organisation focused on global security and instability, she joined Academy Securities in 2017. The veteran-owned investment bank has a stated mission of training, hiring and mentoring post-9/11 veterans.

In her role as vice president of geopolitical intelligence and capital markets, Washburn helps connect veterans with professional networks and career opportunities, particularly in financial services. She has spoken about the challenges former service members can face when moving into industries where conventional recruitment pathways may not recognise military experience.

Her work focuses on helping veterans translate their military skills into civilian careers, access professional networks and build a successful next chapter after active service. It is this continued commitment, alongside her military record and community engagement, that forms a central part of the Eagles’ nomination.

Emma Conrad: The Next Generation Inspired By Her Story

One of the clearest examples of Washburn’s influence is Emma Conrad, a current Eagles cheerleader, Delaware Army National Guard member and senior Army ROTC cadet at the University of Delaware.

Conrad enlisted in the Delaware National Guard at 17. Like Washburn, she grew up in a military family and pursued ROTC while continuing her passion for dance. When she wondered whether she could balance military responsibilities with the demands of being an NFL cheerleader, she discovered Washburn’s story.

Conrad has said that learning about Washburn made the ambition feel attainable and was a major reason she decided to audition for the Eagles Cheerleaders. Their parallel experiences show how representation can influence the choices of younger women who may not have seen military service and professional cheerleading as compatible paths.

Washburn has described the connection as especially meaningful because the two women are now able to demonstrate that leadership, athletic commitment and military service can exist together. She has also credited the Eagles organisation and the women she cheered alongside for helping shape her understanding of teamwork and servant leadership.

One Of 32 Nominees For The 2026 Award

The NFL and USAA announced 32 nominees for the 2026 Salute to Service Award, with one representative selected from each NFL club. Washburn is the Philadelphia Eagles’ nominee in the league-wide recognition programme, which honours people across the NFL who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to supporting service members, veterans and military families.

Washburn is the only female veteran among this year’s nominees, according to the Eagles and ABC News. Her nomination also places a spotlight on the contributions of women who served in demanding military roles at a time when opportunities and recognition were more limited.

Fan voting is open through November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Fans may vote once per nominee per day. The voting process will help determine three finalists, expected to be announced in January 2027. The award recipient will be recognised during NFL Honors in the week of Super Bowl LXI.

Why Her Story Matters Beyond Football

Washburn’s nomination is more than a sports recognition story. It brings attention to the transition many veterans face after leaving active duty, the importance of employment pathways and the value of mentorship. Her work at Academy Securities reflects a practical effort to help former service members turn their experience into opportunities in civilian life.

Her influence on Conrad adds another dimension. A veteran’s legacy is not measured only by medals or years of service, but also by the people encouraged to follow, lead and contribute because they saw someone like themselves succeed. In this case, Washburn’s example helped another young woman see that military service and a place in the NFL cheerleading squad need not be mutually exclusive.

As the Salute to Service Award voting continues, Washburn’s story gives the Eagles and the NFL an opportunity to recognise both her own service and the wider contribution of women in uniform. Whether or not she wins, her path from the sidelines to Afghanistan and into veteran mentorship has already made a lasting impression on the next generation.

Sources And Further Reading