Liam Oh as Ray McAffey, left, and Miles Heizer as Cameron Cope in Netflix’s new television series, “Boots.” (Alfonso “Pompo” Bresciani/Netflix)

Marine veteran Greg Cope White joined the Corps in 1979, a time when being gay in the military was illegal. He carried the heavy burden of his secret throughout his time in service.

“I wasn’t able to be my authentic self with my fellow Marines,” White told Stars and Stripes.

White’s decision to enlist in the military at this time was especially risky, but his determination to survive boot camp and earn the title of Marine outweighed his fear of exposure.

White says his military career helped make him a better person and inspired him to write a bestselling memoir about his experience, “The Pink Marine.”

“The Marine Corps changed my life, and I wanted to honor the institution that took a chance on me,” said White, who served for six years.

Netflix’s series “Boots,” a comedy/drama based on White’s memoir, made its debut on Oct. 9. Executive produced by Jennifer Cecil and Andy Parker, the eight-episode series sheds light on a rarely seen part of the military and LGBTQ+ service members.

Marine veteran Greg Cope White, left, and Miles Heizer behind the scenes of the Netflix show, “Boots.” (Patti Perret/Netflix)

“While equality wasn’t built in a day, and I know we have ways to go, I’m hoping that people will look at this beautiful world that all of our creators have built with the show, and feel the desire of authenticity and depiction of this fantastic institution that shaped me,” White said.

The show follows White’s story as Cameron Cope, a closeted teenager played by Miles Heizer, who goes through boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., alongside his best friend, Ray McAffey, played by Liam Oh. Ray’s character is inspired by Cope’s real-life best friend, Dale Kiker.

“Dale has been such a champion of the book and was so excited about this huge show it inspired,” White said. “It was really helpful for me to relive the story with him, and to fill in the memories that he had that I had forgotten.”

Set in the 1990s, the series captures the era when Marines wore M81 Woodland camouflage and black leather combat boots.

Each episode features a different phase of Marine Corps boot camp — recruit receiving, drill training, combat water survival, martial arts, the gas chamber, marksmanship training and The Crucible — and follows the recruits as they transform from civilians into Marines.

Along the way, the show captures the intense emotions, drama, humor and bonds that form over the 13-week journey, while also exploring the mindset of Cope, who hides his identity.

Miles Heizer as Cameron Cope in the Netflix show, “Boots.” (Courtesy of Netflix)

From left to right: Max Parker as Sgt. Sullivan, Brandon Tyler Moore as Cody Bowman, and Kieron Moore as Slovacek in the Netflix show, “Boots.” (Courtesy of Netflix)

From left to right: Nicholas Logan as Sgt. Howitt, Liam Oh as Ray McAffey and Zach Roerig as Knox in the Netflix show, “Boots.” (Courtesy of Netflix)

Miles Heizer, left, as Cameron Cope and Dominic Goodman as Nash in the Netflix show, “Boots.” (Alfonso “Pompo” Bresciani/Netflix)

“I love how we captured the really dramatic moments of military life,” White said. “To be in the environment of the Marine Corps where I was yelled at, screamed at, and called every slur in the world, I survived it and became stronger. I want to share that with people looking for validation that they will be OK if they hang on.”

One of the show’s military advisers, Leon Ingleright, was discharged from the Marine Corps under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in 2002 after his commanders discovered an email he wrote to a male partner.

“Don’t ask, don’t tell,” a law enacted in 1993, banned disclosure of sexual orientation. Service members could be discharged if they were discovered to be homosexual. The law was repealed in 2011. 

Though the series doesn’t directly depict his story, Ingleright helped give voice to the experience that he and others lived through by sharing his own insights.

“It was really cathartic for me,” Ingleright said. “I was able to look back at my own experience objectively. It helped me come to peace with a lot of those moments and times that were very hard for me back then.”

Sammy “Gunny” Wray and Travis Neuman, other military advisers on the show, also brought their real-world military experience to ensure authenticity on set — from Marine discipline and behavior to how boot camp is conducted.

The advisers spent a lot of time with the actors, on and off set, helping them deliver authentic performances as Marines and drill instructors.

Nicholas Logan as Sgt. Howitt in the Netflix show, “Boots.” (Courtesy of Netflix)

Cedrick Cooper, left, as Sgt. McKinnon and Ana Ayora as Captain Fajaro in the Netflix show, “Boots.” (Courtesy of Netflix)

From left to right: Max Parker as Sergeant Sullivan and Miles Heizer as Cameron Cope in the Netflix show, “Boots.” (Courtesy of Netflix)

Johnathan Nieves, left, as Ochoa and Nicholas Logan as Sgt. Howitt in the Netflix show, “Boots.” (Courtesy of Netflix)

“They (the actors) spent hours practicing on their own time,” Neuman said. “Each and every one of them spoke about how they wanted to honor what it means to be a Marine. I couldn’t find a better cast or crew to have worked with on the show.”

Wray, who served in the Army and Marine Corps, was in the platoon right after Platoon 2032, the one featured in the series. He brought real experience from that time, providing gear such as laundry bags, PT uniforms and the “Green Monster” recruit guidebook.

He also donated his old uniforms, spit-shined the actors’ boots then taught others how to do it and helped replicate the barracks from that era.

“We were there during that time period,” Wray said. “Everything we did was designed to show this snapshot of Parris Island at that time, and I think it really came across.”

White hopes the detailed production will spark conversations among veterans and service members, helping them connect through shared experiences or memories from boot camp.

“If people watch and maybe see their own story reflected, or something that they were thinking at the same time, or a similar experience, that can help people heal, come together and understand [each other],” White said.