Boots

Another military post? Chingao guey. Ya already.

Thank you for stopping by gente. I had my chest and belly shaved the other day and ran on a treadmill wired up for the docs to say my PVC’s went away. I’m also marinating on how this administration plans to hijack the next election or simply not have it, resulting in Civil War. Make sure you stretch and breathe.

Maybe a month back, I scrolled and saw an image of Boots, a documentary about gays in the marines. I was elated. Shit, I almost cried. I thought finally a serious documentary on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and to the outcasts who suffered, I love you. I had so many emotions on this one image.

My book, Infidelis, is a Chicano outcast coming-of-age poetic memoir of my time in the Marines. My wife was right. Once troops got back from Afghanistan, the books would fill the shelves at every book store.

The other day, I was on Netflix and saw Boots was there. I was wrong. It was not a documentary but a dramedy. It was shot in ultra 4k Gen fkn Z which I don’t like. I glanced over to my wife and said, “one episode. “ I’m not a fan of making everything into a 10 episode per season.

I have not read Greg Cope Whites’, The Pink Marine, which Boots is based off. I looked him up right away and followed on Instagram. About 10 minutes in, I thought, I should sue them? I noticed Pink Marine came out years ago so, don’t sue me.

During the show, I muttered comments like: accurate, nope, bullshit, that would never happen, more bullshit, whatever, get the fuck outta here.

After the first episode, I realized that this is how it’s going to go and damn you Netflix for probably ruining a great opportunity. I don’t even need to buy Greg’s book (I will) to know that this was probably cut down and revamped for TV. Just pretty male actors with nice bods and “The dicks. So many dicks.”

The show takes place at Parris Island in South Carolina. I’m a Hollywood Marine. I remember thinking that marines that went to the island were real marines whereas we were too Hollywood, all thriller, no filler. Also, people from the east coast are closer, fraternal. This show definitely makes me think Hollywood marines have it tougher at Camp Pendleton over the swamp.

In the early episodes, a drill instructor hits a recruit which I wowed they would show such an authentic part of boot camp. I wanted to read reviews before I finished the rest of the episodes.

I found myself on gay Facebook groups that praised the show. All of the comments were people feeling seen, heard, and in some ways healed from the show.

On other media, reviews were hateful comments and prayers sent to save the gay community. One comment made me laugh and it has led this Substack post:

Why would they show the Marines in such a negative light?

I almost commented with “What light should they be shown? I didn’t post because once you do, the clownship enterprise shows up in defense of God and Trump. And I don’t use the energy I have to argue with them.

I watched every episode and frankly screamed at how many exaggerations there were. There had to be. There’s no fucking way any of this happened. Damn you Netflix for doing that. Thank you and damn you.

There’s a few things I’d like to go over if you’ll indulge me. A concern I had was that the author was going to receive backlash or possibly be upset with Netflix for changing the story too much. How do I know if I haven’t read the book? I’m an author too and a Marine whether I like it or not. I’d like to know how it feels to have an outcast story rendered this way. I’m a Full Metal Jacket fan. The marines were not shown in a positive light but that film is considered a classic military film with high praise. Why was Boots so comfortable with toeing the line?

So how did he let this happen? I’ve discussed it with my wife and it all came down to Ray Liotta in Goodfellas saying “fuck you, pay me.” It’s a long sigh on your couch saying, “aww fuck it, take the money.” Forget the script, the art etc, just give me the money. Times are hard and expensive.

Greg has hearted a couple of my comments but I really want to know how he’s feeling about all of this or fuck it, the check has cleared.

As an author, a pipe dream you might have is that your book becomes a TV show or film. I also thought about how my book could never be a show or film. There’s no interest in Chicanos in film or tv unless you’re playing into what Hollywood wants. My good friend Sarlos Cantana has taken the time to break down shows and films from George Lopez to Blood in, Blood out to Zoot Suit.

Marines are lunatics. Even the skinny brown ones with portholes. The Marines Corps changes you where the other branches don’t. I’ve heard this all of my life.

The Marines change you. I didn’t want the outcasts to change. I remember looking up an old military buddy on FB to see he went from punk to maga. It was devastating.

I got a little emotional watching the drill instructors place an eagle, globe and anchor in the hands of the recruits after completing The Crucible. I looked like Troy when they announced Jimmy Johnson into the hall of fame.

Why? I doubt any of you reading will try to understand me or take the time to dissect Chicano poet Marine Vincent Cooper. I’m thinking one of my kids will do so one day. There’s a trauma I can’t let go of. I was in boot camp longer than what I was supposed to be. My Drill Instructor told me how proud he was that I graduated and gave me this bio of my time in boot camp.

PTSD and other negative feelings start before you enlist. The military is full of gay men and women, people of color, rednecks, and white legacy.

If I can divide it for you, it would be white legacy 50% and outcast 50%. I’m sure that will raise an eyebrow but uncle Vinny is here to tell you that the Marine Corps was not created in Africa, Aztlan, or Asia.

The more I read about Greg, the more I fear he is a proud veteran and patriot. What’s wrong with that? In the show, his queer spirit or energy is asking him to get out of the Marines. It was a difficult scene to watch because I wanted him to not lose himself.

My uncle Rich enlisted in the marines and went to Vietnam. I asked him why and he said” if he hadn’t gone, he’d be in a gang or dead.

The marines is a gang but he didn’t die. I wish I could’ve told him in 1967,

You are raza. My beautiful bronze tio … you are worthy. Your presence matters. Your spirit is needed. You are a Chicano of the beautiful Westside of San Antonio. Be in community. You’re needed here.

I didn’t have anyone to tell me I was worth a damn, so I enlisted too.

I still remember my disgusting Master Seargent looking at gay/lesbian marines with such hatred and hazed them along with hazing me.

The looks and sneers from these hateful people.

Some of our families traumatized us in such a way that lead to decisions we made. I doubt there were many therapists for black and brown people during Vietnam.

I would say watch the show and support the actors. Buy Greg’s book. We need more stories from the outcasts.

Lyft Ride

“Tomorrow who’s gonna fuss” - The Replacements

The middle-aged Army veteran says:

I got no problems with trans in the military

but in the moment of truth

they just won’t shoot.

They’re only here for a college degree…

Can’t trust them to protect our country,

because their core isn’t to kill.

On the battlefield, with pants soaked in piss…

Talking ‘bout a college degree.

In the Army, we have crackheads

Asking to delay their urinalysis.

⬅️

recalibrate your code (primogeniture)

Your grandfathers roaming guilty in the ghost world

Can’t hurt you or keep you in thr closet anymore.

Recalibrate your code (Primogeniture)

Do BIPOC this favor

We want to see our non-binary grandchildren grow.