A serving drag queen has been hired by the US Navy as a “Digital Ambassador.” This was put into place as part of recent initiatives “to attract the most talented and diverse workforce” and end a hiring freeze.
Second-Class Yeoman Transgender guy Joshua Kelley was one of five participants in an experimental program that went from October to March.
Kelley, who goes under the moniker Harpy Daniels, has commented on the subject across many social media platforms. Former crew bar singer became “advocate” for those who “were oppressed for years in the service.”
“From joining in 2014 to 2016 and being able to share my drag experience with my fellow sailors in my free time has been a blessing,” Kelley said to their more than 8,000 Instagram followers in November after finding out they had been picked as a digital ambassador.
I appreciate the Navy for helping me out so much. Although my Navy experience was rewarding, I cannot represent the armed forces as a whole. “Hooyah, and let’s go Slay!” they yelled.
Kelley was a member of a program called “Digital Ambassador” from October to March. Missions of this nature were “conceived to probe the online terrain for abundant applicants.” As reported by Fox News, a Navy official recently called the present atmosphere for military recruitment “the most difficult recruiting environment it has seen since the start of the all-volunteer force.”
The insider also mentioned that five active-duty service personnel will be part in the still-in-the-works operation.
“Neither YN2 Kelley nor anyone else was paid by the Navy to be a Navy Digital Ambassador,” the official said.
Kelley and her pals were doing well in the drag queen business when she enlisted in the Navy.
The sailors of the USS Ronald Reagan had a blast during Harpy’s lip sync competitions in 2017 and 2018.
I went to my first drag show in 2013. Joining the Navy was not influenced by the fact that I am a drag queen. “I thought the Navy would have made me stop doing drag,” Kelley said to Herzog.
In the world of drag, I’ve finally discovered a place where I can be myself, meet fascinating people, and have a nice time. Not everyone is cut out for the rigors of ocean life. In addition to the idea that “every day is the same,” they argued that stress and concern may make anyone feel terrible and, in the worst cases, lead to suicide thoughts and actions.
Kelly suggests that the Ronald Reagan’s team may have avoided disaster by a hair’s breadth because to their quick thinking and actions.
One Second Class Yeoman observed him perform and made the remark, “this individual was gay, felt lost and alone, and was ready to leave.”My antics had the desired effect of lowering tensions and helping them see that “our troubles and poor morale are temporary.”
They thanked me personally, saying that I had made them temporarily forget their troubles. The sailor commented on the effects of a long deployment, stating, “It’s something we all have to deal with, and everyone loses themselves for different reasons.”
Speaking with Herzog, Kelly said, “My goals as a sailor are to keep working hard, make first class, and become the first officer in my family.” Kelly intends to keep up her drag shows while serving in the military.
Their mission is to become the first serving member of the armed services to win RuPaul’s Drag Race. To achieve their goal, they want to continue doing drag shows in more and more welcoming venues.
The Navy Times predicts that the organization’s membership will grow from 341 736 at the present to 347,000 by the year 2024, which is a primary motivation for launching the ambassador program.
The Daily Caller reports that the company has revised its diversity, equality, and inclusion policy in an effort to make all employees feel “included and connected to the mission and leaders at all levels.”
During an appearance before the House Armed Services Committee on April 19, Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti stated that the Navy expects a shortage of 6,000 recruits, or 16%, in regular sailor training in fiscal year 2023.
As stated in the projected 2024 Navy budget, “the Navy continues to evaluate its pay package and admission requirements, as well as how it reaches potential recruits through advertising and career events.”
Despite “the most challenging recruiting environment since the start of the all-volunteer force,” the Navy is reaching out to underrepresented communities through its ambassador program.