Robert J. ONeill, a decorated Navy SEAL veteran who was part of the mission that killed Osama bin Laden, has expressed his disapproval of the Navys new recruitment campaign.
ONeill took to Twitter to criticize the Navys hiring of an active-duty drag queen to help recruit the most talented and diverse workforce for the military branch.
Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, who identifies as non-binary and goes by the stage name Harpy Daniels, is the first of five new Digital Ambassadors for a new program the Navy piloted from October to March. Kelley has shared their journey of being a non-binary drag queen with the Navy through their Instagram and TikTok accounts.
Alright. The US Navy is now using an enlisted sailor Drag Queen as a recruiter. Im done. China is going to destroy us. YOU GOT THIS NAVY. I cant believe I fought for this bulls-t, ONeill wrote to his 590,500 followers.
The Navy spokesperson told Fox News that Kelley was an ambassador of a program designed to explore the digital environment to reach a wide range of potential candidates as the Navy battles the most challenging recruiting environment it has faced since the start of the all-volunteer force.
ONeill, who was self-credited with delivering the fatal blow to bin Laden during the May 2, 2011 raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan, has published two books since leaving the military in 2014.
ONeills comments were met with mixed reactions, with some siding with the Silver Star recipient while others labeled him a hypocrite.
This is beyond disturbing. Im a former military officer, and I just cant believe what our brass is doing, one former officer said.
Not this Navy veteran. Im ashamed of the Navy, wrote another veteran. Its an insult to every veteran. The army kept making me go to trans EO-type classes before I retired. Nope. Didnt go.
As a Navy veteran, I am ashamed on behalf of the US Navy. I hope that goes over as well as Bud Light did, a reference to the beer companys ad controversy over partnering with influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Some commenters did push back on ONeills comments, saying its suitable for the Navy.
Honor, Courage & Commitment I stand with the US Navy and their choice. Bravo Zulu, another commenter wrote.
We have an epidemic of gun violence in this country. Thousands of innocent victims. Yet, this bothers you? Grow up, rebuked another user.
Local man angry he fought for freedom of expression, a third comment read.
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