The US Navy appointed an active-duty drag queen as a “Digital Ambassador” in an effort to increase recruitment and attract a diverse workforce.
Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, whose stage name is Harpy Daniels, identifies as non-binary. He was selected as one of five Navy Digital Ambassadors.
A U.S. Navy spokesperson said the recruitment initiative was an attempt to “explore the digital environment to reach a wide range of potential candidates.”
The spokesperson added that the program had finished in April and the ambassadors did not receive compensation for their work.
“We are now evaluating the program and how it will exist in the future,” the spokesperson said.
According to Kelley’s TikTok and Instagram, he became an “advocate” for people who “were oppressed for years in the service.”
Kelley wrote on Instagram in November, “From joining to 2016 and being able to share my drag experience on my off time with my fellow sailors has been a blessing. Thank you to the Navy for giving me this opportunity! I don’t speak for the Navy but simply sharing my experience in the Navy! Hooyah, and let’s go Slay!”
Kelley has over 1,300,000 likes on TikTok.
@harpydaniels Was Hand Selected as one of four Navy Digital Ambassadors! Follow now to join me on this journey! #fyp #Navy #lgbt #military
Despite the many campaigns and drives to bolster military numbers, it seems young people don’t view the institution favorably.
It is possible the Navy is exploring new recruiting methods due to a survey conducted by the Ronald Reagan Institute. The survey found that a mere 13 percent of people aged 18 to 29 are “highly willing” to join the military.
Additionally, 25 percent are “somewhat willing” to join the armed forces and 26 percent are “not willing at all.”
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla, expressed his frustration with the military’s current initiatives. He said in a statement to Fox News Digital that Biden has turned the US military into a “woke social experiment.”
He added that it is a stupid way to protect the nation.
“We need to spend more time thinking about how to counter threats like China, Russia, and North Korea and less time thinking about pronouns,” he said.
On the other hand, Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif, said, “Anyone willing and able to serve our country should be able to serve authentically.”
The debate about gender identity rages across the United States as more people focus in on what is, and isn’t acceptable, in the workplace, and in advertisements. Time will only tell how it pans out.
