Netflix’s “Woke Garbage” Military Dramedy Slammed by the Pentagon, but Leaves a Big Mark on the Global Streaming Chart

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Donald Trump’s Pentagon is unhappy with the popular military drama, focusing on a gay high school student’s experience in the Marine Corps during the 1990s. While the show has been well-received by both critics and viewers, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson strongly criticized it, calling it “woke garbage.”

The new series *Boots* quickly became popular on Netflix, reaching the top spot globally and number three in the U.S. Strong reviews and positive buzz from viewers helped it gain traction. Here’s what the series is about:

In 1990, Cameron, a high school student who was bullied for being gay, enlists in the Marine Corps alongside his straight friend, Ray. This was a risky decision, as being gay in the military at that time could lead to imprisonment or much worse. The two friends begin the challenging experience of Marine Corps boot camp, facing both physical and emotional obstacles as they and their fellow recruits undergo a difficult transformation.

Wilson recently told *Entertainment Weekly* that their response to the LGBTQ+ series wasn’t a surprising one, given the criticism it’s received. Wilson stated:

The U.S. military, under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, is refocusing on traditional values of strength and skill. Military standards are consistently high for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, because physical challenges don’t care about someone’s identity. Leaders are committed to maintaining these standards and won’t lower them to promote a particular ideology, a contrast to Netflix, which consistently produces content considered by some to be overly focused on social or political issues, even for children.

‘Boots’ Is Walking All Over the Netflix Chart


Netflix

Even though the Pentagon doesn’t seem to like the new Netflix show, most people do. Because the show is based on real events, it’s difficult to dismiss it as completely made up – the story likely happened in a way similar to what’s shown. Many viewers even feel the show is important and needed.

Callie Hanna from FandomWire praises the series as a well-made show with a strong cast, and Jen Chaney of the New York Times notes that it highlights the diversity of people who can contribute to the military and, ultimately, to America as a whole.

Regardless of what the Pentagon meant by its statement on “warrior ethos,” the series *Boots* is clearly a hit. It’s received positive reviews – 93% from critics and 87% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes – and is proving popular with Netflix subscribers, who are adding it to their watchlists.

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2025-10-17 02:16