The U.S. Navy employed Joshua Kelley, also known as “Harpy Daniels,” a drag queen influencer, as one of its “digital ambassadors” to enlist new members. According to Breitbart, Kelley participated in the Navy’s ambassador program from October 2022 to March 2023. Although Kelley had previously performed as a drag queen, his role as a digital ambassador gained more public attention this week after a video of him went viral on social media, which sparked controversy as many questioned the motives behind this recruiting strategy along with many questioning they’ve taken a hyper left-wing approach.
The Navy brought a drag queen 'Harpy Daniels' who is an active duty sailor to participate in a pilot program aimed at targeting a wider array of potential recruits through digital platforms.
China and Russia are laughing their asses off right now. pic.twitter.com/o00x5SYiVc
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) May 2, 2023
Kelley, who identifies as non-binary, expressed gratitude to the Navy for allowing him to share his experience in the Navy and advocate for queer sailors. According to Kelley, he first performed drag for fellow sailors during lip sync shows on a deployment in 2017 and 2018, and video footage of his second performance was released on “international platforms.”
The Navy defended the pilot initiative, stating that it was designed to reach a wide range of potential candidates as the Navy faces its most challenging recruitment environment since the start of the all-volunteer force. The pilot program has ended, and the Navy is currently assessing the program and how it will continue in the future.
According to Navy Times, the Navy requested a $255.8 billion budget for the 2024 fiscal year, with $53.2 billion for the Marine Corps. Recruiting challenges include costly medical screenings, low civilian unemployment, and fewer eligible Americans. The Navy proposed increasing its active naval force to 347,000 mainly through adding more enlisted personnel. The proposed force would have 56,506 officers, 286,144 enlisted personnel, an increase of 5,470 sailors, and 4,350 midshipmen. The budget request is subject to approval by Congress, where the Navy stated:
“Faced with a challenging recruiting environment, the Navy increased enlistment bonuses in FY 2022 and will continue to do so as necessary… Retention has also been difficult with a strong national economy, so bonuses and incentives to retain our current naval force [are] a priority. To attract the most talented and diverse workforce, the Navy continues to evaluate its compensation package and admission requirements, and how it reaches potential recruits through advertising and career events.”
The Navy has encountered difficulties in meeting its recruitment targets due to a mere 13% of young Americans being “highly willing” to enlist in the armed forces. The Digital Ambassador program was implemented to address this challenging recruitment environment by targeting a broader range of potential candidates. However, many people are questioning whether LGBTQ ads are the most appropriate solution, as they believe that the backlash is greater than the benefit.
Hell hath no fury like a man in a dress…
What the literal f**k! You think a guy dressed as a woman would really make normal men want to sign up for the navy? Now I know everyone at the Pentagon has got a lot of screws loose. Totally disgusting, Biden and his administration of misfits is totally destroying our country
How stupid can you get (not meant as a challenge)? Is the Navy the only one who didn’t learn from Bud Lights screw up? The Trans gender bs IS NOT WANTED in the US by a very vast majority! It’s just another of Bidens steps to destroy the country!
Another AB great idea.This has to be a joke.
I cannot believe this is what the Navy has resorted to for recruiting! It used to be “Join the Navy and See the World” and now it seems to be “Join the Navy and See your Male Shipmates Pose as Women”
Disgusting. They won’t give up their efforts to destroy America until the Chinese have complete control.
The Navy has their head up their rear end. This will only deter normal Americans from signing up for Navy duty. I cannot believe how woke this country has become. A real DISGRACE. Our forefathers are turning over in their graves.
I guess this is the Navy’s answer to “We need women with Balls” to go fight our wars.
This site is not allowing a negative comment imagine that. I used no vulgarity and they wouldn’t post. Another woke website.
Just what we need
If they’re trying to get sailors who are undecided about reenlisting to NOT reenlist or if they’re trying to get potential enlistees to consider any branch BUT the Navy, this stupidity will succeed admirably.
This site is not allowing a negative comment imagine that. I used no vulgarity and they wouldn’t post. Another woke website.
Each branch of the U.S. Military has a Uniform… It is Not a Costume. Sailors, Soldiers and Marines are not clowns and do not dress as clowns.
For the first time I am ashamed that I am a navy veteran, we sure as hell don’t need a drag queen to boost recruiting. Shame on the Navy for doing so.
Gonna lose manpower
Just what the military needs, more drags, fags and trannys! Where are the REAL men? Guess they don’t want to be bunked with the freaks aboard ship! This is so stupid on the navy’s part, no wonder recruitment is down!
The military wears U-N-I-F-O-R-M-S not costumes. The military is not a show or a play, it’s very serious business.