Pentagon downplays Navy’s drag queen program.

The Navy’s Use of Drag Queen to Recruit Younger Americans Sparks Controversy

The Pentagon recently downplayed the Navy’s use of a drag queen to recruit younger Americans, but the controversy surrounding the issue continues to grow. According to a Pentagon spokeswoman, the program has concluded, and the Navy is evaluating its future.

The Navy’s Digital Ambassador Program

Joshua Kelley, an active sailor, announced on TikTok last year that he was a “digital ambassador” for the Navy. Kelley, who performs in drag under the stage name Harpy Daniels, has been entertaining Navy personnel on ships since 2018. He claims to be an “advocate” for people who “were oppressed for years in the service.”

The Navy’s digital ambassador program ran from October 2022 to March 2023. Despite the Pentagon’s claim that the program was “not a recruiting effort,” a Navy spokesperson told Fox News that the program was intended to “explore the digital environment to reach a wide range of potential candidates.”

The Controversy

The controversy over the Navy’s use of a drag queen influencer comes as the branch struggles to meet recruitment goals. The Navy is projected to fall 8,000 short of its recruitment goal this year, and the Army is expected to miss its goal again after only filling 45,000 slots out of its goal of 60,000 last year.

Conclusion

While the Navy’s use of a drag queen influencer may have been intended to reach a wider audience, it has sparked controversy and raised questions about the effectiveness of such programs. As the military branches continue to face recruitment challenges, it remains to be seen how they will adapt to changing times and demographics.

• Will the Navy continue to use digital ambassadors?
• Will other branches of the military follow suit?
• Only time will tell.

One thing is for sure, the debate over the Navy’s use of a drag queen influencer is far from over.

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