Navy cancels digital recruiting program due to enlistees’ disinterest in drag queens.
The U.S. Navy has made the decision to discontinue an online recruiting initiative that featured an enlisted drag queen. The goal of the initiative was to attract new sailors to the service.
In May, The Daily Caller revealed that the Navy had enlisted Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, also known as Harpy Daniels, an active-duty drag queen who identifies as non-binary, to be a ”Navy Digital Ambassador.” The Digital Ambassador Pilot Program, which ran from October 2022 to March 2023, aimed to explore the digital environment for military recruitment.
In a letter sent to Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., on Tuesday, the under secretary of the Navy confirmed that the Digital Ambassador Pilot Program will not continue. The Navy has learned valuable lessons from the pilot program that will shape its future digital engagement and outreach efforts.
Tuberville, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, previously sent a letter to Admiral Michael M. Gilday, the chief of Naval Operations, demanding information about the funding and promotion of drag queen shows on naval vessels. The letter was sent on the same day that Tuberville and his Republican colleagues submitted a separate communication to Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro regarding the Navy’s embrace of Daniels and its use of TikTok.
In response to Tuberville’s letter, the under secretary of the Navy stated that the branch followed existing guidelines regarding the use of TikTok and that personal social media presence on TikTok was not supported by government devices. The Navy will continue to educate its members about the national security risks associated with using TikTok on personal devices.
The Navy’s decision to embrace Daniels has faced backlash from many military veterans. This controversy arises as the Navy struggles to meet its recruiting targets, with an expected shortfall of approximately 7,000 sailors for fiscal year 2023. The Air Force has also announced that it will miss its active-duty recruiting goals for the first time since 1999.
The U.S. Army and Coast Guard are also projected to fall short of their respective recruiting targets for fiscal year 2023.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. His work has been featured in various outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
What were the concerns raised by the Med Services Committee regarding the inclusion of a drag queen in the Navy’s online recruiting initiative?
Med Services Committee, had written a letter to the Navy expressing concern about the inclusion of a drag queen in the online recruiting initiative. He argued that this goes against the military’s mission to maintain readiness and lethality.
In response to Tuberville’s letter, the under secretary of the Navy, in a letter of his own, stated that the Navy acknowledges the concerns raised and understands the importance of maintaining the trust and confidence of the American people. He assured that the decision to discontinue the Digital Ambassador Pilot Program was made after careful consideration and evaluation of its effectiveness.
The Digital Ambassador Pilot Program was an innovative approach to recruiting new sailors by exploring the digital environment. It aimed to reach a wider audience and attract individuals who may not have considered joining the Navy otherwise. The inclusion of a drag queen was meant to reflect the Navy’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
However, the decision to include a drag queen in the program sparked controversy and criticism from some lawmakers and conservative groups. They argued that it undermined the traditional values and image of the U.S. military.
The Navy’s decision to discontinue the program does not mean that it is retreating from its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The under secretary of the Navy reiterated that the service remains committed to attracting individuals from all backgrounds who are qualified and motivated to serve. The Navy will continue to explore new and effective ways to engage with potential recruits in the digital space.
The lessons learned from the Digital Ambassador Pilot Program will inform the Navy’s future digital engagement and outreach efforts. The under secretary of the Navy emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with the values and expectations of the American people. The Navy will always strive to maintain its readiness and lethality while adapting to evolving recruitment strategies.
In conclusion, the U.S. Navy has made the decision to discontinue an online recruiting initiative that featured an enlisted drag queen. The decision was made in response to concerns raised by lawmakers and the need to maintain the trust and confidence of the American people. The Navy remains committed to diversity and inclusion while ensuring its readiness and lethality. The lessons learned from this pilot program will shape the Navy’s future digital engagement and outreach efforts.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...