The latest military drama from Netflix, “Boots,” has sparked controversy, drawing sharp criticism from the Pentagon. The show, which revolves around a closeted teenager enlisting in the U.S. military, has been accused of promoting a “woke agenda” by the Department of Defense.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson expressed disapproval towards the series, featuring Miles Heizer of “13 Reasons Why” fame. In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, Wilson declared that the Department of Defense does not endorse what he described as Netflix’s ideological stance.
Wilson did not mince words, labeling the content as “woke garbage” and criticizing the streaming giant for its perceived agenda.
He emphasized the current administration’s focus on reinforcing a “warrior ethos” under President Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth. “Our standards are elite, uniform, and sex-neutral,” Wilson asserted, noting that the military’s requirements do not change based on gender or sexual orientation, as “the weight of a rucksack or a human being doesn’t care if you’re a man, a woman, gay, or straight.”
Wilson further stressed that the military would not lower its standards to meet any ideological demands, contrasting this with what he perceives as Netflix’s tendency to produce content that aligns with a particular agenda aimed at their audience and children.
Wilson didn’t hold back, adding: ‘We will not compromise our standards to satisfy an ideological agenda, unlike Netflix whose leadership consistently produces and feeds woke garbage to their audience and children.’
Netflix has not yet publicly responded to the Pentagon’s remarks. The Daily Mail has approached Netflix for comment.
The newly released series follows closeted gay teenager Cameron Cope, played by Heizer, as he enlists in the Marines alongside his straight best friend during the 1990s.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson slammed the series, starring 13 Reasons Why actor Miles Heizer, telling Entertainment Weekly that the Department of Defense ‘does not support Netflix’s ideological agenda.’ Pictured: Miles Heizer as Cameron Cope in Netflix’s Boots
The Pentagon slammed the company calling it’s newly released series ‘woke garbage.’ Pictured: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
The story unfolds under the US military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy – which banned openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual people from serving between 1993 and 2011 – and pits Cope against the harsh discipline of boot camp under the brutal Sgt. Sullivan.
Only weeks before the streaming service’s new drama premiered, Hegseth had told troops at Quantico Marine Corps Base that the Pentagon was abandoning ‘woke’ practices.
‘No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses. No more climate change worship. No more division, distraction or gender delusions,’ he said.
‘We became the woke department. But not anymore.’
The Pentagon’s criticism comes amid a broader culture clash under current leadership.
Back in June, the Secretary of War ordered the removal of slain gay rights icon Harvey Milk’s name from a Navy ship and has pushed to oust transgender service members.
Hegseth announced that the USNS Harvey Milk would be renamed after a World War II sailor, stripping the ship of the name of the activist who served during the Korean War.
The defense secretary said he was ‘taking the politics out of ship naming’ by rebranding the vessel to honor Navy Chief Petty Officer Oscar V. Peterson.
The series, released on October 9, follows closeted gay teenager Cameron Cope, played by Heizer (right), as he enlists in the Marines alongside his straight best friend during the 1990s. Pictured: Liam Oh as Ray McAffey and Miles Heizer as Cameron Cope in Netflix’s Boots
Wilson doubled down on the Pentagon’s stance, writing: ‘Our standards across the board are elite, uniform, and sex-neutral because the weight of a rucksack or a human being doesn’t care if you’re a man, a woman, gay, or straight.’ Pictured: US Army soldiers to arrive in Europe on February 6, 2022
The Pentagon’s criticism comes amid a broader culture clash under current leadership. Back in June, the Secretary of War ordered the removal of slain gay rights icon Harvey Milk’s name from a Navy ship and has pushed to oust transgender service members. Pictured: US Navy replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk
The decision is one of Hegseth’s moves to wipe away names of ships and military bases that were given by President Joe Biden’s administration. Pictured: Harvey Milk, a gay political leader in San Francisco
Peterson was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions during the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea in the Pacific.
The decision is one of Hegseth’s moves to wipe away names of ships and military bases that were given by President Joe Biden’s administration, which in many cases chose to honor service members who were women, minorities, from the LBGTQ community and more.
It follows earlier actions by Hegseth and President Donald Trump to purge all programs, policies, books and social media mentions of references to diversity, equity and inclusion in the military and elsewhere.
Hegseth’s announcement comes during Pride Month – the same timing as the Pentagon’s campaign to force transgender troops out of the US military.
‘People want to be proud of the ship they’re sailing in,’ Hegseth said of the change.
‘We’re not renaming the ship to anything political. This is not about political activists, unlike the previous administration,’ insisted Hegseth.
He said Peterson’s ‘spirit of self-sacrifice and concern for his crewmates was in keeping with the finest traditions of the Navy.’
A Defense official said the renaming was an attempt by MAGA to ‘reestablish warrior culture’ and the timing of the announcement – during Pride Month – was intentional.
