Veteran Medic Reacts to Netflix Boots Drill Instructor Scene

Veteran medic and former Canadian Armed Forces member reacts to the Drill Instructor scene from Boots on Netflix, inspired by the book The Pink Marine by Greg Cope White.

In this video, I break down the first time the recruits meet their drill instructor and compare it to my own basic training experience in the Canadian military. From the screaming, the bunks, the shock of civilian-to-soldier life, and the fear of that first encounter with authority — I talk about what’s accurate, what’s exaggerated, and what it actually feels like to be there.

We also touch on:

LGBTQ+ in the military and serving in silence

The reality behind boot camp culture

How basic training shapes your mental health, identity, and resilience

Why stories like The Pink Marine and Boots matter for representation

If you’ve done basic, love military shows, or you’re just curious what really happens behind the screaming and spit, this one’s for you.

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I’m Matthew Heneghan — a former military and civilian medic, now a sober writer sharing raw stories about trauma, grief, addiction, and healing.
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