In order to persuade new recruits to join the military, the U.S. Navy approached a "drag queen influencer".
Joshua Kelley, who goes by the stage name "Harpy Daniels," was announced as the Navy's "Digital Ambassador" in November 2022.
A historic recruitment crisis is forcing the Navy to increase interest among young people. According to a survey conducted by the Ronald Reagan Institute, only 13% of 18-29-year-olds are "highly willing" to join the military. Twenty-five percent are "somewhat willing" and 26 percent are "not willing at all."
Drag queens in the military are part of a broader battle over gender ideology among all branches of the U.S. military.