Seahawks cheerleader doubles as Air Force first lieutenant

Seahawks cheerleader and Air Force first lieutenant Alicia Quaco

Cheerleading is a visible profession but not a full-time one. Count Seahawks "Sea Gal" Alicia Quaco among those who use their time away from the field in highly productive ways.
Quaco, 25, is a first lieutenant in the Air Force. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, she had some work to do to convince her superiors that part-timing as a Sea Gal was a good use of her time.
“I told them it’s good for recruitment. It shows that the Air Force is well-rounded, that we can do other things, too. It’s great for women recruits to know that,” Quaco told the New York Post. “Ultimately, they ended up agreeing.”

U.S. Air Force First Lieutenant Alicia Quaco

Most of Quaco's 31 cheerleader teammates work in fields such as fitness or fashion. But Quaco came from a military family — her brother is a Green Beret — and opted for a role in the Armed Services.

Quaco's story is reminiscent of Rachel Washburn, a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader who later worked in Army intelligence. The Eagles honored Washburn earlier this season as part of their "Hometown Heroes" program.