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2018-09-01 -Signs, Portents, and the Weather-

Sailor by day, performer by night — meet the Navy’s drag queen, ‘Harpy Daniels’

[NAVYTIMES] Years before he became a yeoman 3rd class in the United States Navy, Joshua Kelley was entertaining exuberant crowds under his drag name, "Harpy Daniels."

The 24-year-old Berwick, Pennsylvania native, who currently serves as an administrative supervisor aboard the forward-deployed aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, brought Harpy along for the ride when he decided to join the Navy in February 2016, a choice he said was heavily inspired by his father.

"I’ve heard many stories of the Navy from my father," Kelley told Navy Times. "He’s a 24-year senior chief Navy counselor, so it was something I always had insight on. I grew up with the service, so knowing the benefits of it made it an easy path to take."

One of those benefits was financial stability, something Kelley was struggling to maintain while pursuing drag.

"With drag being my number one passion, it quickly became costly," he said. "On top of just struggling to make ends meet and then pay college loans, the Navy became a great option to get myself situated in life."

Now, despite the furious operational tempo the Navy demands of its personnel, Kelley manages to find time to perform as Harpy Daniels on ship during MWR-sanctioned events designed to give sailors a much-needed break from daily burdens. He even took home a $1,000 Navy Exchange card for a second place finish in a recent lip sync competition.

Posted by Fred 2018-09-01 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11146 views ] Top

#1 Fabulous!

Posted by Raj 2018-09-01 00:27|| 2018-09-01 00:27|| Front Page Top

#2 ...Five minutes with the shade of Ernest J, King and this guy might change his mind.

Hell, what am I saying? Ernie King wouldn't have lasted thirty seconds in today's Navy.

Mike

Posted by Mike Kozlowski 2018-09-01 07:13|| 2018-09-01 07:13|| Front Page Top

#3 Also available for line crossing ceremonies.

Posted by charger 2018-09-01 13:23|| 2018-09-01 13:23|| Front Page Top

#4 Yet more reasons for me to not recommend most military service anymore when asked. What has become of the warrior ethos?

Posted by Injun Bucket8891 2018-09-01 14:12|| 2018-09-01 14:12|| Front Page Top

#5 Yet more reasons for me to not recommend most military service anymore when asked. What has become of the warrior ethos?
Posted by Injun Bucket

You are not alone IB. I am hearing disturbing backchannel reports about a troubling trend of soldier abuse within the Army. Nothing seen in the media just yet. I wonder when it will break wide open ?

Posted by Besoeker 2018-09-01 16:24|| 2018-09-01 16:24|| Front Page Top

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