Full Metal Jacket

In 1967, a new group of recruits arrives at the United States Marine Corps training facility at Parris Island. They are immediately met with the intensity of military life, setting the tone for their upcoming challenges.

The recruits are introduced to Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, their Senior Drill Instructor. Hartman employs extreme and harsh methods to mold the young men into battle-ready Marines, igniting fear and discipline within the ranks.

Among the recruits, Leonard Lawrence, nicknamed 'Gomer Pyle,' struggles to adapt to the rigorous training. His clumsiness draws Hartman's ire, which only exacerbates his difficulties and leads to further ridicule from fellow recruits.

After Hartman finds a contraband jelly doughnut in Pyle's locker, he enacts brutal collective punishments for the platoon. This punishes the entire group for Pyle's mistakes, deepening the rift between Pyle and his fellow Marines.

In response to the collective punishments, the platoon conducts a hazing ritual known as a 'blanket party.' They restrain Pyle and beat him with bars of soap wrapped in towels, further alienating him from the group.

Following the harrowing hazing experience, Pyle undergoes a dramatic transformation and becomes a model Marine, impressing Hartman. However, Joker begins to notice alarming signs of Pyle's deteriorating mental health.

On their final night at Parris Island, Joker encounters Pyle in the bathroom, where Pyle behaves erratically and prepares his rifle. This culminates in a tragic confrontation where Pyle shoots Hartman and then takes his own life.

Fast forwarding to January 1968, Joker has become a Sergeant and a Marine War correspondent in Vietnam. He now works alongside Rafterman, who seeks to capture the gruesome reality of war through photography.

As the Tet Offensive begins, North Vietnamese forces increase their assaults on Marine bases, including the one where Joker is stationed. This escalates the tension and urgency among the Marines on the ground.

Following reports of enemy advances, Joker and Rafterman are deployed to Phu Bai to join the Lusthog Squad. Here, they reconnect with Cowboy, who has risen to the rank of Sergeant within the squad.

During the intense Battle of Hue, Joker witnesses the death of platoon leader Touchdown. The brutal realities of combat challenge Joker's and Rafterman's perceptions of war and heroism.

While on patrol, Cowboy takes command after Crazy Earl is killed by a booby trap. The squad faces increasing danger as they navigate the treacherous combat environment in search of safety.

In a tense encounter, Joker faces a Viet Cong sniper and risks his life as his rifle jams. Rafterman intervenes, killing the sniper, and the incident sparks a moral debate about the value of life and death among the Marines.

After subduing the wounded sniper, Joker is confronted with a moral dilemma as she begs for a merciful end. Ultimately, he decides to pull the trigger, reflecting on the harsh realities of war and the weight of his actions.

As the surviving Marines march back toward camp, they sing the Mickey Mouse March, juxtaposing the innocence of their childhood with the brutality of their experiences. Joker reflects on the terror faced but finds solace in being alive.