According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Pentagon recently issued a statement addressing Netflix’s programming in response to questions about the streamer’s popular series Boots. While officials did not directly condemn the show, they criticized Netflix’s leadership for producing what they called “woke garbage,” contrasting it with the military’s commitment to maintaining elite, uniform, and sex-neutral standards for all service members.

The statement issued by the Pentagon’s press office read as follows: “Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, the U.S. military is getting back to restoring the warrior ethos. 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. 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.”

The series Boots, based on Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine, features Miles Heizer (13 Reasons Why, As You Are) as Cameron Cope, a closeted Louisiana teen enduring the trials of Marine bootcamp in 1990. Since premiering, the show has consistently landed among Netflix’s Top 10 TV Shows. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the drama captures both the harsh realities of military life and the deep bonds formed through shared struggle. In response to the show’s popularity, the Pentagon commented on Netflix’s programming, emphasizing the military’s focus on maintaining rigorous, nonpartisan standards while criticizing the streamer’s leadership for promoting what it described as overly ideological content.

The Pentagon’s remarks were likely influenced by broader controversies surrounding Netflix content, including the canceled animated series Dead End: Paranormal Park, which featured a transgender character and prompted criticism from conservative commentators. As indicated by The Hollywood Reporter, the military’s statement highlighted a contrast between its own non-ideological standards and Netflix’s approach to programming.

Netflix is also preparing another military-themed project, the docuseries Marines, which follows the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and provides a behind-the-scenes look at their training and daily lives. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series, set to premiere on November 10, showcases both the physical demands and emotional bonds formed among young Marines in the Pacific.

Boots has received strong critical reception, earning a 93% positive critics score and an 88% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show’s portrayal of boot camp’s intense challenges, along with the personal development and brotherhood it inspires, has resonated with audiences and could even influence new interest in military service.

By examining both the military’s past anti-gay policies and the personal journeys of its characters, Boots demonstrates Netflix’s commitment to creating provocative, conversation-starting content. As stated by The Hollywood Reporter, the series succeeds in highlighting resilience, identity, and the human side of military life, cementing its place as one of the streamer’s standout releases this fall.