First Lt. Alicia Quaco works long hours managing aircraft production for the U.S. Air Force by day, but it’s her after-hours stint as a Seattle Seahawks cheerleader that has angered some in the military.

This is the first year as a Seattle “Sea Gal” for Quaco, who had to seek permission from her military bosses before trying out for a spot on the squad, according to the New York Post.

“I told them it’s good for recruitment,” Quaco told the Post. “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.”

The on-field job has similarities to her Air Force training, including standing in formation and working as part of a team, she said.

But some are critical of the 25-year-old’s choice of off-duty activities, according to comments left on Military.com.

A reader identified as “Gary” said:

What a joke. How’s that for military service, only in the Air Force, right? I’m sure her subordinates *really* respect her. My wife is active duty and I’d be ashamed if she had the same off duty activities. She has more self respect than that.

Besides, hasn’t the Air Force (especially the academy) had enough trouble with sexual assaults? Now they let one of their own prance around on TV with her breasts and butt hanging out? An officer no less. Leadership by example, way to show all the young girls what they can aspire to be: a piece of meat.

Then there was this from “Moondog”:

It must be nice to have a 9-5, M-F job, so flexible that that one can be a cheerleader on a major sports team. No worries about deployment, TDY, or field duty. For this, we sent this young lady through the AF Academy? Is she really in the military?

But others were quick to defend Quaco, like “Mike,” who wrote:

She doesn’t have subordinates. She is a liaison for the AF with Boeing. She works their schedule. M-F 9-5. That’s the job. Just because some of you want to define being in the military as only valuable or important if they are low crawling or deployed or whatever your hang up is – she’s doing her job and giving up her free time to do it. Her choice. They don’t travel with the team. They practice at night, as they all have other day jobs. Get a grip people!! BTW, the “only in the Air Force” comment is priceless. There are no good deals for people in the Marines, Navy or Army I suppose.

“Carollynn” added:

Have you thought that maybe the team supports her as a military person, and works around that instead of her time in the military working around the Seahawks schedule…..just a thought…..that would be like any of you having a full-time job then working a part-time job around that.

The Air Force decision to allow Quaco to perform as a cheerleader may have had something to do with her character.

“In uniform, you’re expected to act a certain way,” Quaco told the Post. “People are always watching.”

Watch the report here via Fox News:

Another unforgettable Budweiser Super Bowl ad; the making of ‘A Hero’s Welcome’

Watch Tim Tebow’s testosterone-packed Super Bowl ad

• Author
• Recent Posts

Cheryl Carpenter Klimek

Administration
[email protected]

Latest posts by Cheryl Carpenter Klimek (see all)

• Florida Five: DWS draws serious primary opponent, Legislators haul in $28.5 mil. pre-session - January 18, 2016
• Florida Five: Trump’s ‘Freedom Kids’ take Internet by storm, Miami seeks help with Cuban migrants - January 15, 2016
• Florida Five: Trump rallies ‘noisy as hell majority’ in Fla., Senate passes historic water bill - January 14, 2016

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.