Critics lambasted the U.S. Navy Wednesday over its use of a “drag queen influencer” to help persuade new recruits to join the military amid a massive recruitment crisis.

News broke earlier in the day that Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, who goes by the stage name “Harpy Daniels” and identifies as non-binary, was a “Digital Ambassador” in the Navy’s pilot program to attract new recruits.

The revelations set off explosive reactions from lawmakers and former members of the U.S. military alike.

“Woke, partisan officials are projecting weakness abroad and divisiveness at home. The recruitment shortage is a serious crisis that we must address with serious solutions. TikTok videos of drag queens are just making a bad problem worse,” Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., who serves as the chair of the House Military Personnel Subcommittee, told Fox News Digital.

A staff member for Banks told Fox that the congressman reached out to the Navy over Kelley’s account in March, but didn’t hear back from the branch on its use of the drag queen until recently.

“Maybe the Navy should talk to Bud Light marketing and exchange notes about what NOT to do,” Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, a former Navy SEAL, wrote on social media, referencing the recent controversy with the beer brand over its use of transgender personality Dylan Mulvaney in a marketing campaign that backfired.

Maybe the Navy should talk to Bud Light marketing and exchange notes about what NOT to do. https://t.co/Gk1xwLITjG

— Dan Crenshaw (@DanCrenshawTX) May 3, 2023

Former Republican Senate candidate and combat veteran Sean Parnell wrote on Twitter, “The Navy is using a drag queen to boost sinking recruitment numbers…& wondering why numbers are in the tank. This woke BS is destroying our military,” while former Republican congressional candidate Hung Cao, a Navy veteran, said he was “at a loss for words.” . . . . (read more on Fox News)

Alright. The U.S. Navy is now using an enlisted sailor Drag Queen as a recruiter. I’m done. China is going to destroy us. YOU GOT THIS NAVY. I can’t believe I fought for this bullshit.

— Robert J. O’Neill (@mchooyah) May 3, 2023

Now the military is using drag queens for recruitment? How many tax dollars were used for this vitally important effort to improve national security, I wonder https://t.co/QgLckYWP0B

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) May 3, 2023

Will this be the “Bud Light” moment for the military? Does any one really want a drag queen representing our men and women in service. #courageousdiscourse @USNavy @DeptofDefense https://t.co/930BK5eW6y

— Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH™ (@P_McCulloughMD) May 3, 2023

It is difficult to see how a drag queen is improving our Navy’s readiness or solving our recruiting crisis. These kinds of divisive social issues have no place in the U.S. military, especially during a time where we need to focus on deterring China. https://t.co/jGGdRAISHc

— Senator Roger Wicker (@SenatorWicker) May 3, 2023

Navy recruiting will fall 6,000 sailors short this year.

Maybe its “digital ambassadors” should focus on service & winning wars instead of drag queen shows? https://t.co/BO8vYNd7wF

— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) May 3, 2023

As a Navy Vet I’ll tell you it is very stupid for the @USNavy to try recruiting with a drag queen. The people that this ridiculous marketing strategy would appeal to would never join the military. Know your audience is basic.

— Conservative Soapbox (@alexconserv) May 4, 2023