Tigerland

In September 1971, the U.S. faced a dire situation in the Vietnam War. This backdrop leads Roland Bozz, a draftee opposed to the conflict, to confront the harsh realities of military life.

At Fort Polk, Bozz quickly forms a bond with Jim Paxton, an aspiring writer who is documenting their experiences. Unlike Bozz, Paxton willingly enlisted, motivated by a sense of duty amidst the growing anti-war sentiment.

Upon their arrival at the base, Captain Saunders delivers a stark message to the recruits. He emphasizes that all soldiers will eventually be sent to Vietnam, rendering discussions of political opinions irrelevant.

Bozz exhibits his resourcefulness by finding loopholes that allow him and fellow soldiers to evade the difficulties of military training. He notably aids soldiers like Cantwell and Miter, who struggle with personal issues.

As tensions mount within the platoon, Bozz's leadership traits come to the forefront, earning him the position of platoon guide. This role, however, sparks animosity from Wilson, a provocateur within their ranks.

A physical confrontation occurs between Bozz and Wilson after a series of provocations. Bozz emerges victorious, which only deepens Wilson's hostility and rivalry.

During a live-fire training exercise, Wilson escalates tensions by threatening Bozz with a loaded pistol. In a dangerous struggle, Bozz escapes injury when the gun misfires at a critical moment.

Captain Saunders presents Bozz with a choice regarding Wilson’s punishment after the incident. Bozz, understanding the deeper issues at play, chooses to have Wilson removed from the Army rather than face court martial.

The platoon is sent to Tigerland, a training area mimicking the jungles of Vietnam. This setting brings further challenges as they prepare for the intensity of real combat scenarios.

As the training progresses, Bozz devises a plan to escape to Mexico. However, he is warned by fellow soldier Johnson that Wilson would seek revenge against Paxton if he acted on the plan.

During the climactic final training drill, Wilson's squad engages in dangerous patrol missions. Unbeknownst to Bozz's squad, Wilson rigged his weapon to fire live rounds, escalating the risk of injury.

The tension culminates when Wilson opens fire, injuring Paxton and granting him a medical discharge. This betrayal deepens the division between the two squads as they approach deployment.

As the platoon prepares for deployment, Paxton shares an emotional farewell with Bozz. Paxton wishes to document their story, but Bozz, in a moment of anger, steals and discards his journal.

In the closing moments, Paxton reflects on his unresolved fate after never encountering Bozz again. He hears various rumors about Bozz's fate, suggesting he either died in Vietnam or disappeared mysteriously.

Over the years, Paxton learns of conflicting stories regarding Bozz's fate. Some say Bozz was seen later in Mexico, adding to the mystery surrounding his life after the war.