Netflix's recently released military comedy series Boots, based on Greg Cope White's memoir The Pink Marine, is a solid representation of the U.S. Marines' life and the Brotherhood between them. The shared camaraderie in the corps is further reiterated by a small symbol, the Semper Fi tattoo on Sergeant Sullivan's chest.Semper Fi is a short form of the Latin phrase “Semper Fidelis,” meaning “always faithful” or “always loyal.” The phrase has been the official motto of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) since 1883. The phrase is smartly (and literally) incorporated in Boots as a dark-colored ink tattooed on Sullivan's chest.In addition to Semper Fi being a symbol of Marine Brotherhood and their promise of loyalty to their mission, it becomes an extended scar of guilt for Sergeant Sullivan.More on this in our story.Semper Fi in Boots: Decoding Sergeant Sullivan's scar of guilt View this post on Instagram Instagram PostSergeant Sullivan was introduced as Cope's platoon's new drill instructor and he took an instant dislike towards him, even distancing him from his only friend at camp. But beneath his hard exterior lies a closeted gay man plagued by his own internalized homophobia. Sergeant Sullivan's initial harshness towards Cope was not because of the recruit's lack of skills, but because he identified his orientation and was thus reminded of his own guilt.Boots Episode 6 finally revealed the true meaning behind Sergeant Sullivan's Semper Fi tattoo, teased early on. The tattoo was not just a symbol of his unwavering determination, loyalty and service to the U.S. Marines, but also a secret reminder of his romantic relationship with Major Aaron Wilkinson (W).A key flashback in Boots Episode 6 revealed how Sergeant Sullivan and Major Wilkinson secretly met in hotel rooms and even did matching Semper Fi tattoos on the left side of their chests. The tattoo (originally a motto for the U.S. Marines) becomes the couple's secret mantra, a low whisper that binds them together in love. But when rumours about Wilkinson's sexuality start making the rounds, Sullivan chooses to separate himself from his secret lover and transfers out of Guam.Sergeant Sullivan remembers how he not only fled from the scene without informing Wilkinson but also reported him, effectively kick-starting an NCIS investigation against him. Once this truth was revealed, the meaning behind Sergeant Sullivan's Semper Fi tattoo shifted. The tattoo (once a symbol of loyalty and bold love) becomes a mere scar of survival and guilt.The Uniform Code of Military Justice (which criminalized homosexuality) pushed Sergeant Sullivan to the edge in the worst way possible.Semper Fi: Brotherhood in the Marines View this post on Instagram Instagram PostNothing in Netflix's Boots was by accident and each plot thread was beautifully interconnected. While Sergeant Sullivan fiddled with the burden of his guilt and Semper Fi tattoo in Episode 6, the entry included a rare bonding moment for Cope's platoon.When Sullivan leads his recruits through a near-fatal training accident, he later confides in his second-in-command, saying:“We’re only as strong as our weakest Marine. Semper Fi isn’t a slogan. It’s a promise we make to each other.”This message reverberated loudly in Boots Episode 6 when Cope's platoon finally united as one after Ochoa's tragic death, drinking and celebrating his memory. While Sergeant Sullivan still fiddled with his guilt, the Semper Fi tattoo became a quiet symbol of Marine brotherhood and camaraderie.Semper Fi carries dual meaning for Sergeant Sullivan: the weight of service and the permanence of love lost. In the world of Boots, it becomes a living contradiction for him, the Marine who must be “always faithful” to his Corps but who secretly remained faithful to a man he could never publicly love.Boots is streaming on Netflix.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.