In September 1971, as the United States faces the grim reality of losing the Vietnam War, Roland Bozz emerges as a rebellious draftee opposed to the conflict. This unruly soldier scoffs at authority and quickly forms a bond with Jim Paxton, an aspiring writer who diligently chronicles his experiences in a journal. Contrasting with Bozz, Paxton willingly enlisted, driven by a sense of purpose. Upon their arrival at Fort Polk, their commanding officer, Captain Saunders, bluntly informs the recruits that all soldiers will inevitably be sent to Vietnam, rendering any political opinions about the war completely irrelevant.
Gifted with what he calls "X-ray vision for loopholes," Bozz cleverly discovers ways for fellow soldiers to escape the rigors of military life. For instance, he helps Cantwell, a soldier with children and a disabled wife, and Miter, who originally joined to prove his masculinity, but now finds himself overwhelmed by the challenges of Army life. As tensions rise and Bozz's innate leadership qualities shine through, he is appointed as the platoon guide. However, he faces opposition from Wilson, a racial bigot and provocateur, who regularly berates both Miter and Bozz. A confrontation ensues where Bozz easily bests Wilson, solidifying the latter’s animosity toward him.
During a live-fire training exercise, the situation escalates when Wilson threatens Bozz with a pistol. In a chaotic struggle, they wrestle to the ground, and Wilson briefly gains the upper hand, pressing the gun to Bozz's head. Fortunately, the gun misfires. Captain Saunders provides Bozz with a choice regarding Wilson's punishment: either court martial him or let Saunders handle it himself, which implicitly suggests a more sinister resolution. Sensitive to Wilson's underlying emotional turmoil, Bozz opts to have him removed from the Army, recognizing the damaging impact of Wilson's failure to achieve respect and command.
The platoon is subsequently dispatched to "Tigerland," a training area designed to mimic the jungles of Vietnam. Here, during a simulation, Bozz's squad portrays villagers, with one member acting as a Viet Cong sympathizer. They face off against another squad led by Wilson, who—although spared—vows vengeance against Bozz. As the simulations progress, Bozz devises an escape plan to Mexico, only to be dissuaded by fellow platoon member Johnson, who warns him that Wilson would harm Paxton in retaliation.
In a tense climax during the final training drill, the two squads engage in high-stakes patrol missions. Unbeknownst to Bozz's squad, Wilson alters his weapon to fire live rounds. In an alarming moment, he opens fire near Paxton, resulting in an injury that earns him a medical discharge. As the platoon prepares for their imminent deployment to Vietnam, Paxton exchanges heartfelt goodbyes with Bozz, who expresses reluctance to have his story told. In a spiteful act, Bozz steals Paxton’s journal and carelessly discards it as the platoon’s bus drives away, leaving Paxton to scramble for the lost pages.
In a poignant closing narration, Paxton reflects on his unresolved fate, mentioning that he never encountered Bozz again after that day. Over the years, he hears varying accounts suggesting that Bozz either perished in Vietnam or mysteriously vanished, with one rumor claiming he was spotted years later in Mexico alongside a stunning woman.
