Boots Netflix: What Sullivan’s Letter Said – And How It Reveals What Happened to Him

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In the third episode of Netflix’s *Boots*, Drill Sergeant Sullivan, played by Max Parker, receives a surprising letter from someone identified only as ‘W,’ which holds more significance than viewers initially understand. The series establishes Sullivan as a highly respected Recon Marine with a mysterious past and extensive field experience on classified missions. He sees a younger version of himself in Cameron, recognizing they both hide their true identities, and this motivates him to be a particularly demanding instructor during boot camp.

The enigma surrounding Sullivan deepened when he discovered a letter revealing details about his time in Guam. He’d been discharged from his previous assignment at Alpha Harbor, Guam, for reasons that were previously unclear, but the letter offered a significant clue about what had actually happened.

What Did the Letter Say & Cause In ‘Boots’?

The latest episode of *Boots* concluded with Sullivan getting a strange letter from someone identified only as “W.” He appeared deeply disturbed by its contents, immediately burning the letter after reading it.

Sullivan’s letter revealed a past issue during a mission in Guam, which the NCIS is currently investigating.

“Looks like you left Guam just in time. NCIS is poking around, watch your six.” – W

The latest episode explained why Sergeant Sullivan, despite his impressive military record, is currently a drill sergeant. We learned he was discharged while stationed in Guam and needs to rejoin the Marines if he wants to continue his service. Captain Fajardo is eager for him to reenlist quickly, recognizing his potential and skills.

In the fifth episode of *Boots*, NCIS agent Blodgett questioned Sergeant Sullivan about his time in Guam. During the interrogation, viewers discovered that the mysterious “W” mentioned in a letter referred to Major Aaron Wilkinson, an officer under investigation for inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct.

Sullivan claimed he and Wilkinson had no romantic relationship, but his statements were clearly dishonest, suggesting a deeper connection than just professional respect as fellow Marines. Blodgett pressed him further, asking Sullivan to show a “Semper Fi” tattoo on his chest – a tattoo Wilkinson also has.

In Netflix’s *Boots*, Cameron Cope takes the lead, but Sullivan’s personal story of coming to terms with his sexuality is equally compelling. He’s haunted by his past, and it resurfaces in a surprising way.

What Actually Happened to Sullivan? His Forbidden Relationship & Backstory Explained

The latest episode of *Boots* revealed the truth about Sullivan’s time in Guam with Major Aaron Wilkinson. It confirmed suspicions that the two had fallen in love, meeting secretly off base and even telling each other “I love you.” This also clarified the meaning behind their matching “Semper Fi” tattoos, which were located over their hearts.

Wilkinson dreamed of a future with Sullivan once they left the military, but Sullivan was worried people wouldn’t approve of their relationship. A friend named Maitra cautioned Sullivan that rumors were circulating about Wilkinson’s sexuality and advised him to distance himself to avoid being associated with them.

Ultimately, Sullivan left Guam and falsely portrayed Wilkinson’s affection as abusive behavior. While he genuinely cared for Wilkinson, Sullivan made this difficult decision to protect his career, though he later seemed to regret it, as it meant missing an opportunity to be open about his sexuality.

Sullivan understood Cope’s struggle with hiding his sexuality because he’d experienced the same thing. Having lived with the pain of keeping his own sexuality a secret, Sullivan wanted to help Cope navigate this difficult time and avoid the regrets he himself carried.

In an interview with Out, Max Parker explained that Sullivan in *Boots* is primarily wrestling with guilt over potentially involving his partner in something problematic. His biggest worry is being forced to come out, as the society around him isn’t very tolerant of men who are secretly gay.

The show does a good job of revealing Sullivan’s past, which really helps you understand his character. Primarily, I wanted to portray him as a deeply troubled man, and that influenced his intense, unpredictable behavior. His backstory explains everything he does – he’s constantly under immense pressure, haunted by guilt over potentially involving his partner and terrified of going to prison. As his past catches up to him, that fear reaches a peak, leading to his outbursts, drinking, and violence.

Sullivan was facing intense scrutiny from an NCIS investigation into his personal life and had also broken Wilkinson’s trust. Surprisingly, it was revealed that his friend, Maitra, was the one who originally reported Wilkinson. Despite being unable to undo his error, Sullivan received unexpected support from Captain Fajardo.

I was so impressed by Captain Fajardo’s stance on Sullivan’s situation. She made it clear – and rightfully so – that someone’s personal life, like their sexuality, shouldn’t matter to the military. What *does* matter, she emphasized, is whether a person can perform their duties effectively. Knowing she’s the first female captain, it really resonated with me. She clearly understands the discrimination that exists within the ranks, and I believe that experience fueled her support for Sullivan. It was a powerful and admirable thing to see.

Even though Fajardo offered his help, Sullivan chose to search for a missing recruit named Jones on his own. With Cope assisting him, they located Jones, but Sullivan then disappeared, venturing off into an uncharted area instead of returning with them.

Sullivan told Cope he’d completed his mission – turning him into a Marine – before vanishing. Back when the story of *Boots* took place in the 1990s, being gay and deserting the military were offenses under military law. So, Sullivan risked everything by disappearing, even though his captain supported him.

The finale of *Boots* left Sullivan’s fate uncertain – unless the show gets another season. However, it showed he faced significant challenges after choosing to reveal himself.

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2025-10-14 00:06