The United States Navy changed its social media profile photos and header images on Thursday to reflect the first day of the LGBTQ+ community’s Pride Month before changing them back to generic logos and military images by Friday morning. While the Navy briefly focused on the start of Pride Month, other U.S. military branches turned their attention to issues like PTSD Awareness Month, recruitment and education.
The U.S. Navy’s new profile pictures on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram featured the Navy’s eagle, shield and anchor logo with rainbow wings. The logo also included the colors found on the transgender flag and the colors associated with LGBTQ+ people of color.
The Navy’s header photo displayed the word “Pride” six times in rainbow colors. It also featured two images of warships and one image of an aircraft over “progress pride” colors.
By Friday, the Navy changed its Pride Month profile photos and header images on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram back to the Navy’s neutral logo and generic military images.
In addition to Pride Month imagery, the Navy’s social media profiles also featured an image of “an aircraft flying over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.”
The United States Marine Corps did not make any changes to its social media profiles for Pride Month and instead focused on PTSD Awareness Month.
“During PTSD Awareness Month, the #MarineCorps continues to raise awareness and offer unwavering support to those impacted by PTSD. #Marines must continue to look out for one another and extend a helping hand to those impacted. Together, we can make a profound difference,” the Marines tweeted.
“You can learn more about PTSD at the National Center for PTSD at http://ptsd.va.gov or call (802) 296-6300. For immediate assistance call the Military Crisis Line at (800) 273-8255 – press 1, or access the online chat by texting to 838255,” the service added.
The U.S. Army posted a recruitment image celebrating “248 years of endless #ArmyPossibilities.”
“Let’s get this birthday party started! We’re still 13 days away from the #ArmyBday but we’re starting now to celebrate 248 years of endless #ArmyPossibilities when you #BeAllYouCanBe,” the Army tweeted.
The Air Force did not make any changes to its profile photos or header images for Pride Month, either, and posted about the service’s upcoming plans for the F-15C Eagle Formal Training Unit.
“ICYMI — USAF plans to convert the F-15C Eagle Formal Training Unit at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, into a third F-35A Lightning II FTU, providing additional training capacity to the fifth-generation aircraft,” the Air Force tweeted.
Similar to the Air Force, the U.S. Space Force posted about the service, writing, “#DYK that Space Launch Delta 30 manages DOD space and missile testing, and launches satellites into orbit from the West Coast? Learn more about the Delta here: https://vandenberg.spaceforce.mil/Units/#:~:text=SLD%2030%20manages%20Department%20of,Atlas%20V%20and%20Delta%20IV.”
While the Coast Guard and the National Guard made posts in recognition of Pride Month, neither service changed its profile pictures or header image.
Some military branches appear to have distanced themselves from the start of Pride Month. Last year, the U.S. Marines posted a photo on June 1 showing a Marine helmet decorated with six rainbow-colored bullets.
In a caption along with the photo, the Marines said, “Throughout June, the USMC takes #Pride in recognizing and honoring the contributions of our LGBTQ service members. We remain committed to fostering an environment free from discrimination, and defend the values of treating all equally, with dignity and respect.”
The U.S. Air Force shared a photo last year showing an airman with a black-and-white filter except a rainbow-painted hand overlayed with the #CelebratePride hashtag.
“Happy Pride Month! We are the best #USAF by leveraging the diverse backgrounds & strengths of each member of our total force. We are committed to making the #AirForce a place where all can reach their full potential,” the post said.
The U.S. Space Force kicked off Pride Month last year by tweeting an interview with Maj. Gen. Leah Lauderback, director of the LGBTQ Initiative Team, on efforts to “change policy, change minds, and create opportunities for LGBTQ+ members of the military.”
