Politics
US Navy Appoints Drag Queen to Lead Recruitment Drive
Knowledge Nuggets:
- US Navy selects non-binary active-duty sailor Joshua Kelley as a Digital Ambassador
- The appointment is part of a pilot program aimed at attracting diverse talent and addressing recruitment challenges
- Kelley, also known as Harpy Daniels, shares their drag experience and advocates for inclusivity in the Navy
In a bid to address the ongoing recruitment crisis and promote diversity, the US Navy has appointed Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, an active-duty drag queen who identifies as non-binary, as the first of five Navy Digital Ambassadors.
The pilot program, which ran from October to March, sought to explore the digital environment as a means of reaching a wide range of potential candidates, as the Navy currently faces its most challenging recruiting environment since the start of the all-volunteer force.
Kelley, who performs under the stage name Harpy Daniels, has used platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to share their journey, explaining how they began performing onboard and advocating for those who have been oppressed in the service for years.
Kelley has been involved in drag since 2013 and started performing while deployed on the USS Ronald Reagan, where their performance helped boost crew morale and even saved a fellow sailor’s life.
The Digital Ambassador program is part of the Navy’s larger efforts to expand its size to 347,000 members by 2024, up from the current 341,736 members serving in fiscal year 2023.
As a part of the recent diversity, equity, and inclusion policy updates, the Navy is committed to recruiting and retaining personnel by fostering an inclusive culture, ensuring they feel included and connected to their mission and leaders.
The Navy’s appointment of Kelley as a Digital Ambassador highlights the importance of embracing diversity and inclusivity within the military, as well as the potential impact of digital platforms in reaching new audiences and addressing recruitment challenges.
Clear Thoughts:
I often find myself questioning the motives and methods of certain decisions made by the government and the military. The recent appointment of active-duty drag queen Joshua Kelley, also known as Harpy Daniels, as a Navy Digital Ambassador is one such decision that has caught my attention.
In an age where the military faces numerous challenges, both domestically and internationally, it is important to maintain focus on the core principles that have long served as the backbone of our nation’s defense.
Does this help the military’s primary purpose: to protect and defend our country and its citizen?
The Digital Ambassador program, which Kelley participated in, is designed to reach a wider range of potential recruits through the use of digital platforms.
While this strategy may succeed in attracting diverse talent, we must also ask ourselves whether these efforts are genuinely addressing the root cause of the Navy’s recruitment challenges.
Are we losing sight of the importance of discipline, dedication, and sacrifice that have long been the hallmarks of our military?
I believe that the Navy must ensure that our military remains an institution that prioritizes national security and military preparedness above all else. Our Navy is here to protect us from threats not create an all inclusive drag cabaret.
Susan davis
May 4, 2023 at 7:04 am
I’m sorry this program will not boaster a sense of pride or strength. “Be all you can be?” Just be a drag queen?! Are you kidding?!! Past soldiers are turning in their graves, veterans are probably so disgusted that they ever joined the navy! If we weren’t the laughing stalk of the military with other countries we are most definitely now! I’m all about live your life and I will live mine. Don’t interfere with me and i will not in yours. This is going way off the mark of what it is to be a navy man or women. The navy has completely failed on this.
Terry
May 4, 2023 at 7:19 am
all you have done is destroy the navy this will cause young men to PUKE,when will you ever learn,we must rid our country of these people who were born without morals and half a brain!.
Mike
May 4, 2023 at 7:35 am
And some say the end of America is not in sight! Just another nail in our Country’s coffin!
I bet other Country’s, all Country’s are sure laughing at the U.S. about now!
William
May 4, 2023 at 7:39 am
This is what you get with ignorant voters.
Mtcrow
May 4, 2023 at 10:00 am
THEY ARE CALLED USEFUL IDIOTS OF THE COMMUNIST DEMOCRATS. FROM THE COMMUNIST MANIIFESTO.
McFerguson
May 4, 2023 at 8:33 am
What a revolting development this is. We don’t need a bunch of pantywaists in the military. As Limbaugh used to say, “The purpose of the military is to kill people and break things.” In other words, to defeat the enemy by sinking his ships, shooting down his planes, and blowing up his buildings. We don’t need a Secretary of Defense whining about equity, diversity, and inclusion or a Chairman of the Joint Chiefs fretting about “white rage.” We need to teach our military how to win wars. Period. Hello?
Penelope
May 4, 2023 at 8:53 am
Bet we’d all be speaking German or Japanese if this had been our Navy in WWII.
Larry Abramson
May 4, 2023 at 8:58 am
This is a satire, right?
Mtcrow
May 4, 2023 at 9:59 am
THAT IS ONE SICK FREAK. THE NAVY HAS FLOPPED INTO THE TOILET FOR SURE. OF COURSE THE OTHER BRANCHES ARE HEADED THAT WAY AS WELL. GOD SAVE AMERICA! OUR ONLY HOPE.
Pia
May 4, 2023 at 10:41 am
Each branch of our military have a Uniform. They are Not clowns, nor should they dress like clowns. The adolescent moron(s) that thought this up need to be water-boarded.
Dannie
May 4, 2023 at 12:20 pm
the nail chewing terror seems to come from the MAGA crowd. Not so much from self-confident, knowledge seeking people.
1SG (Ret) Robertson
May 4, 2023 at 12:36 pm
I have always said that Miley and Austin were a waste of good oxygen. This Touchie/feely DEI crap is a joke. The military is for training individuals how to kill and survive. I hope that the next presidential administration reverses all this and get back to warfighter training.
Glad I am retired because I would not be able to handle todays WOKE military and that is why you have a recruiting problem ………
Brendan
May 4, 2023 at 1:32 pm
Destroying the best military in the world one day at a time
Kokomokid
May 4, 2023 at 3:45 pm
We can only hope that what happened to Bud Lite happens to the US Navy. It makes me sad to say that, considering all my family members who HONORABLY served in the Navy.
Duane Batchelor
May 4, 2023 at 4:54 pm
You are F______ kiddng me Ex Navy Seal I sure as hell glad he was not with me in Korea BRAIN DEAD IDOT