Let me tell y’all something: one of the things I truly enjoy about going to a Washington Commanders game is watching the Command Force do their thing!

These performers get out there and WORK! And when I say work, I mean WORK!

Because let’s stop acting like cheering is just standing on the sideline, smiling and shaking some pom-poms. Baby, there is some serious ATHLETICS happening out there! They’re dancing, jumping, kicking, turning, smiling, moving and somehow they still look like they’re having the time of their lives.

Meanwhile, I’m sitting in the stands getting tired just WATCHING them!

I’m like, “How y’all still got energy?!”

I remember growing up when the cheerleaders were called the Redskinettes. I always thought that was such a cool name. I loved it then, and I’ll be honest I still love that name today. But times change, names change, and now we’ve got the Command Force. And while the name may be different, that energy and talent are still very much there.

What I really appreciate about the CommandForce is the athleticism. These performers are GOOD! You can tell they put in work. The choreography is sharp, the movements are synchronized, and the energy they bring into the stadium is contagious. And now that men have joined the Command Force, I’m all for it!

Why not?

If you’ve got the talent, athletic ability, discipline, personality, and passion to get out there and perform, COME ON OUT! Bring it!

As long as everybody contributes to the overall energy of the team, I’m here for it. Because when I’m at a Commanders game, I want the whole experience. I want the football. I want the fans. I want the music. I want the excitement. And Yes I want to see the Command Force perform!

But I do have some questions.

After watching some of the conversations surrounding professional cheerleading especially the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders I started wondering about the standards that professional cheerteams have.

Do the Command Force have specific physical fitness requirements? Is there a particular level of athletic conditioning they have to maintain? Are there specific requirements for the uniforms….

THOSE UNIFORMS ARE TIGHT!

I’m not judging anybody. I’m just curious!

I’m sitting there thinking, “ How are y’all jumping, kicking, dancing, turning, and doing all of that without having to stop and pull something back into place?!’’

Because I would need a whole wardrobe department following me around!

And let’s be clear: I’m not saying that somebody has to look a certain way to be talented. I’m asking because I’m genuinely curious about what goes into becoming a member of the Command Force and maintaining the level of fitness needed to perform at that level.

Because this is athletic work. You’ve got to have strength. You’ve got to have flexibility. You’ve got to have endurance. You’ve got to have coordination. And you’ve got to have ENERGY!

Lots and Lots of energy.

That’s why I enjoy watching them so much. You can see the joy they bring to the field. They’re not just performing they’re entertaining the fans and helping create the atmosphere inside that stadium. And I’ll tell you something else. I would LOVE to interview the Command Force one day.

That’s actually something I’d love to do for both my blog and podcast. I want to sit down and talk to them, not just about the dancing, but about what it really takes to become a member of the team. I’d want to know about auditions.

The training.

The friendships.

The pressure.

The athleticism.

What it’s like performing in front of thousands of people.

And yes……

I’m ASKING ABOUT THE UNIFORMS TOO!

Because y’all already know Velvet is going to ask the questions other people might be thinking but aren’t saying!

I’d love to hear directly from the performers about what they love about being part of the Command Force and what they want fans to understand about what they do. And who knows? Maybe one day I’m going to get that interview. I’m putting it out into the universe right now:

Command Force, when you’re ready, Ask Velvet wants to talk to you! 🎙️

So, shout – out to the Command Force! Keep dancing. Keep performing. Keep bringing that energy to the stadium because there are fans like me who genuinely appreciate what you do. And to the men who have joined the team welcome! I’m here for it. Bring the energy, bring the talent, and lets see what you’ve got!

As for me, I’ll be sitting in those stands watching, cheering, and probably wondering how y’all still have enough energy to WALK after the performance. And yes, I’m still going to be looking at those uniforms thinking:

“Baby, how are we keeping everything in place?!”

But that’s a conversation for my future interview. Because one day, I hope I’m not just watching the Command Force from the stands. I hope I’m sitting across from them with a microphone, having a real conversation about what it takes to do what they do. And when that day comes, you already know I’m going to have questions!

Until then, I’m going to keep enjoying the Command Force because they are talented, athletic, energetic part of the Washington Commanders game day experience.

And who knows?

Maybe the next time you hear about the Command Force, it’ll be right here on Ask Velvet.

Now that would be something to talk about from the front porch!