US Navy hires drag queen influencer to diversify recruitment.

Navy taps drag queen influencer to attract diverse talent amid recruitment crisis

The Navy is taking a unique approach to increase recruitment by inviting a drag queen, Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley (aka Harpy Daniels), who is an active-duty sailor, to join its pilot “digital ambassador” program. This new tactic is intended to broaden the Navy’s reach of potential recruits through digital and social media platforms, according to a report.

Advocating for diversity and inclusion

Kelley, who has been performing on board since 2018, has grown to become an “advocate” for those who “were oppressed for years in the service.” Through social media posts, Kelley highlights his journey and experiences as a queer sailor, bringing much-needed representation to the Navy.

“Our Navy is committed to enabling a workforce demographic similar to that of the nation it serves,” the Navy’s latest diversity, equity, and inclusion policy update reads. “With nearly 50% of recruitable talent coming from diverse talent, the Navy must be deliberate to create a culture where every person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to succeed.”

Assessing the effectiveness of the initiative

The Navy reportedly did not compensate Kelley or the other digital ambassadors. With the initiative ending in April, the Navy is now evaluating its effectiveness and future implementation.

Recruitment crisis in the military

The Navy’s recruitment crisis is not unique. A recent poll conducted by the Heritage Foundation found that 65% of active-duty personnel were concerned about growing politicization in the military. Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti recently submitted written testimony to the House Armed Services Committee, noting fiscal year recruitment for 2023 was projected to miss its goal for enlisted sailors by 8,000 recruits.

The Heritage Foundation’s National Independent Panel on Military Service and Readiness report released in March suggested poor recruiting success was, at least in part, a result of social policies that have been imposed on the military. The study found that diversity, equity, and inclusive initiatives have risked “supplanting the U.S. military’s culture of warfighting with a new culture of DEI promotion and compliance.”

Conclusion

The Navy’s decision to tap a drag queen influencer to attract diverse talent is a bold move that highlights the importance of representation and inclusion in the military. As the Navy evaluates the effectiveness of this initiative, it’s clear that the military must continue to find innovative ways to attract and retain diverse talent to meet its recruitment goals.