Pentagon criticises Netflix for making ‘woke garbage’ after gay military drama

Pentagon Slams Netflix for 'Woke Garbage' Over Gay Military Drama

The US Department of Defense has come under fire after criticizing Netflix for producing a gay military drama, labeling the show "woke garbage" that aims to satisfy an "ideological agenda". The comments were made by Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson in a statement shared with Entertainment Weekly.

According to Wilson, the US military is working to restore its "warrior ethos" and uphold "elite standards" that are now "sex-neutral", implying that the recent surge of LGBTQ+ representation in the military's culture is compromising those values. The show, "Boots", which premiered on Netflix, tells the story of a closeted teenager who enlists in the US Marine Corps in the 1990s and explores themes of identity, acceptance, and belonging.

The Pentagon's criticism has sparked debate among critics, with some arguing that the show is an important representation of LGBTQ+ experiences in the military. "Incredibly powerful", The Guardian described the series as a "critical commentary" on the military's anti-gay policies during the 1990s.

However, Wilson took issue with Netflix's leadership for allegedly prioritizing "woke garbage" over traditional values. This criticism comes amidst ongoing tensions between conservative politicians and media outlets, who have increasingly targeted LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream entertainment.

The backlash against Netflix is not new, as many on the right have been vocal about their disapproval of the streaming platform's diverse content. In June, former Fox News pundit Pete Hegseth, now US Secretary of Defense, ordered the removal of Harvey Milk's name from a US Navy ship due to concerns over "restoring the warrior culture".

The Pentagon's stance on LGBTQ+ representation in the military has been a subject of controversy, with some critics accusing them of trying to suppress progress. In response to the criticism, many leading news organizations have pulled their accreditation or resigned in protest over the new policies restricting press freedom.

As Netflix continues to be the market leader in streaming, the ongoing debate highlights the delicate balance between artistic expression and societal values. While some see "Boots" as an important representation of LGBTQ+ experiences, others view it as an example of "woke garbage", sparking a wider conversation about identity, culture, and what it means to serve one's country.

OMG u guys i cant believe the pentagon is being so extra about this gay military drama on netflix "Woke Garbage" indeed - sounds like they're more worried about their warrior ethos than actual people serving in the military . I mean, what's wrong with representation and acceptance? It's not like the show is promoting chaos or anything . And honestly, i think its awesome that netflix is pushing boundaries and having a conversation about identity and culture. We should be celebrating diversity and progress, not trying to silence it . The more we talk about this stuff, the better off we'll be

I'm not surprised by the Pentagon's reaction ... I mean, we've seen them try to tone down diversity efforts in the past . It's like they think the military is just a place for straight, cisgender men who have always fit into traditional roles . Newsflash: it doesn't work that way anymore . The more we push against those outdated views, the more they're going to try to shut us down .

But at the same time, I'm glad "Boots" is getting so much attention ... it's a powerful show that needs to be seen by as many people as possible . Representation matters, especially for those who have been erased or marginalized in the past . We need more stories like this one, not less .

The thing is, though, we can't just expect Netflix to create content that checks off every box of conservative outrage ... if that's what you're looking for, go watch a History Channel documentary on straight America . The question is, are we as a society ready to accept the complexities and nuances of human experience?

Ugh , this is so depressing... the Pentagon is literally trying to erase all the progress made in acceptance and inclusion for LGBTQ+ individuals. A gay military drama on Netflix is being called "woke garbage" by them, which is just ridiculous . Like, what's wrong with people serving their country who happen to be LGBTQ+? It's not like they're compromising national security or anything . And to make matters worse, there are conservative politicians and media outlets already calling for the removal of Harvey Milk's name from a US Navy ship because it goes against "traditional values" . This is just a huge step back for equality and freedom of expression. I mean, can't we just focus on being a more inclusive and accepting society instead of constantly fighting over what's considered "acceptable"?

lol what is wrong with people at the Pentagon? they're trying to label an entire TV show as 'woke garbage' just because it has gay characters... like what's wrong with that? the US military should be welcoming to all its soldiers, regardless of their identity. I think "Boots" is a great way to showcase the complexity and humanity of the LGBTQ+ experience in the military. The fact that they're trying to 'restored the warrior ethos' just sounds like code for 'we don't want people who are different'. news organizations pulling accreditation over press freedom issues is pretty concerning too... shouldn't journalists be able to report on anything they want without being threatened?

lol what's next? the government's own sitcom ? seriously though, who do they think they are? trying to dictate what art should be made or not. like, if you don't want to watch a show about a closeted teen in the military, that's your prerogative, but don't try to force it on everyone else.

and btw, "warrior ethos" sounds like just an excuse for some dudes being grumpy . i mean, come on, the military is getting more inclusive and they're over here complaining about it? maybe they should focus on actual warrior stuff instead of trying to suppress people's identities.

anyway, it's not like this is the first time we've seen this kind of thing happen. remember when Harvey Milk got his name removed from a ship? some people have no problem with representation, but others just get butt-hurt because they don't agree with it. oh well, at least there's "Boots" to watch if you want to see some actual representation on screen

I'm so done with this whole thing . Can't the Pentagon just focus on actual national security issues instead of policing Netflix's content? It's like they're trying to erase all the progress made in LGBTQ+ representation. I mean, come on, a show about a closeted teenager in the military is not "woke garbage" – it's a powerful story that needs to be told . The fact that they're trying to undermine it just shows how out of touch they are with reality. And what's with all this talk about "restoring warrior culture"? Who decided that was even a thing? It's time for the Pentagon to get its priorities straight and stop picking fights over something as personal as identity.

Can you believe this? The Pentagon is basically saying that serving in the military is all about being tough and not 'weak'... meanwhile they're worried about some TV show making people think it's okay to be gay! It's just so messed up. They need to focus on what's really important - like actually preparing our soldiers for real-world situations, not policing their personal lives.

And another thing, what's with this 'restoring the warrior ethos' nonsense? Newsflash: people have been serving in the military for decades and they've all had to deal with their own struggles and biases. Just because it's become more accepting of LGBTQ+ folks doesn't mean we're losing our values.

I'm so tired of this 'woke garbage' label being thrown around like it's some kind of insult. It just shows how out of touch the Pentagon is. They need to get with the times and focus on supporting all their soldiers, regardless of their identity.

I'm just worried that we're losing sight of what's truly important in our society - people's lives and stories . The Pentagon's comments on Netflix's gay military drama are a huge red flag for me . If they're trying to "restore the warrior ethos" by suppressing diverse voices, that's not progress, that's regression . As someone who's lived through some tough times in my life, I know what it's like to be marginalized and silenced . Artistic expression should never come at the expense of someone's identity or humanity . We need to find a way to balance our values with empathy and compassion .

I'm so late to this thread lol . But honestly, I think the Pentagon is way out of line with this criticism of Netflix. Like, who gets to decide what's "woke garbage" anyway? The show looks like it's trying to tell an important story about identity and acceptance in the military - those are values that should be celebrated, not shut down.

And I'm also so tired of the whole "restoring warrior ethos" thing. Like, what even is that supposed to mean? It sounds like they're just using it as a euphemism for "we don't want any diversity or representation". Newsflash: the military needs to adapt to changing times and include people from all walks of life.

It's also wild to me that they're criticizing Netflix for being diverse, when really it's just progress. The fact that there are shows like "Boots" is a good thing - it helps to humanize people who might not be visible otherwise, and it's an important step towards understanding and inclusion.

I don't think the Pentagon has the right to tell Netflix what's acceptable or not. Maybe they should focus on their own policies instead of trying to police other companies' content?

I don't get why the Pentagon is getting so worked up about this show . It's just a story about someone's journey, you know? And it's not like they're forcing anyone to watch it or participate in it. The military has its own values and traditions, but that doesn't mean people can't express themselves freely . I think it's actually kinda cool that Netflix is using their platform to tell more inclusive stories and challenge some of the outdated norms in our society . We should be celebrating diversity, not trying to squash it .

OMG, are you kiddin me?! The Pentagon thinks they can dictate what we watch on Netflix? Like, come on! It's just a show, folks! Not everyone has the same values or background, so why should some TV drama be "woke garbage" just because it features a gay character? I mean, I get that not everyone is down with that sorta thing, but let's not take away someone else's right to express themselves. And what's with this "warrior ethos" business? Can't we still have strong, brave soldiers who happen to be LGBTQ+ too?

I'm so tired of people being so close-minded . Can't they just watch the show without judging everyone involved in its creation? It's just a story, for crying out loud! The fact that it's about a gay character doesn't mean it's not a great drama. And yeah, I get where Pete Hegseth is coming from, but some things need to change and we need to accept people for who they are . The military needs to catch up with the times and allow its members to be themselves without fear of retribution. It's not about 'woke garbage' it's about being inclusive and respectful .

I think the Pentagon's stance on this is super weird . Like, isn't the whole point of having a diverse military that everyone can feel comfortable serving without being judged for who they are? But instead of celebrating that, they're trying to push back against it and say it's "woke garbage"? That just doesn't add up to me.

Here's a simple diagram to represent my thoughts:
```
+---------------+
| Military |
| Values |
+---------------+
|
|
v
+---------------+
| Woke Garbage |
| (Netflix drama)|
+---------------+
|
|
v
+---------------+
| Alienating |
| Servicemembers|
+---------------+
```
I mean, what's next? Are they gonna say that having a diverse team at the Pentagon is bad for "team morale"? That just shows me that they're not thinking about the bigger picture here. It's all about pushing back against progress and being close-minded .

i think its a big lesson in being open minded & accepting. the pentagon is trying to enforce their traditional values but they're not considering the impact on people who are different from them . we need to have empathy & understanding towards others, even if we don't agree with their lifestyle or choices. it's not about "woke garbage" its about representation and human rights . we should be proud of our diversity & celebrate it . the question is, are we truly ready to accept ourselves & others for who we are?

I'm telling you, something fishy is going on here. The Pentagon thinks they can just trash Netflix for showing some representation of the LGBTQ+ community in their military drama? That's not just about "woke garbage", that's about controlling what we watch and think. I mean, what's next? Censoring books or movies that don't fit their ideal of "warrior ethos"? The government is trying to dictate what we're exposed to and it's getting more and more ridiculous by the day. They're just trying to silence anyone who dares to challenge their views on identity and culture. But let me tell you, I'm not buying it. This is all about power and control, and they think they can get away with it by labeling people "woke" or "transphobic". Give me a break!

idk why they're being so extra about this show but like seriously the US military is supposed to be all about protecting ppl's rights & freedoms, right? instead of trying to erase LGBTQ+ identities from history & culture. i mean, come on, it's not like the show is forcing anyone to watch it... ppl wanna see themselves represented in media, that's what it's all about . and btw, what's with this whole "warrior ethos" thing? isn't that just a fancy way of saying "we're gonna kick some ass & make everyone else conform"? the military needs to get its priorities straight & focus on serving ppl, not enforcing outdated values .

I'm so down with Netflix for taking a chance on shows like 'Boots' that showcase the complexities of our society . The Pentagon's response is just another example of how some folks get uncomfortable when their values are challenged . I mean, we're living in 2025 and LGBTQ+ representation is still not as common as it should be in mainstream media . It's time for us to have more conversations about identity, acceptance, and what it means to be a part of our communities . And let's be real, "woke garbage" is just code for "I don't want to see myself reflected back at me" . We need more shows like 'Boots' that inspire empathy and understanding .

the pentagon is trying to suppress progress they're all about that "warrior ethos" but it's just a bunch of outdated nonsense if you're gonna criticize netflix for being inclusive, at least be honest about why the military needs to get its act together and accept LGBTQ+ soldiers in the first place

omg this is so unfair the pentagon is always trying to control everything but can't they just chill? like, LGBTQ+ people have been fighting for their rights for decades and now they're finally getting some representation on tv and the pentagon is over here being all judgy about it . boots sounds like an amazing show and i think it's so cool that netflix is pushing boundaries and creating content that reflects our diverse world . can't we just appreciate good storytelling without having to weigh in on politics?