Cameron Cope, a closeted gay teenager from Louisiana, is convinced by his best friend Ray McAffey to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Ray, the son of a decorated Marine, wants to follow in his father's footsteps, while Cameron seeks purpose and escape from a life of bullying and neglect. They join the Marines together under the buddy system, which promises recruits will not be separated during training.

At boot camp, Cameron and Ray are assigned to a platoon led by Drill Sergeant Sullivan, a stern but observant instructor who has recently been transferred from Guam. The recruits endure grueling physical and psychological challenges, including constant inspections, exhausting drills, and harsh discipline. Cameron struggles to adapt, facing both the rigors of training and the constant fear of being discovered as gay in an environment where homosexuality is strictly forbidden.

Early in training, Cameron is targeted by a bully named Slovacek, who singles him out for his perceived weakness. Ray stands by Cameron, but tensions rise as the platoon's dynamics shift. Cameron's secret is nearly exposed when he is caught in a compromising situation, but he manages to deflect suspicion. Meanwhile, Ray is under pressure to live up to his father's legacy, and his relationship with Cameron becomes strained as the demands of boot camp intensify.

The Bowman twins, John and Cody, emerge as central figures in the platoon. Their complicated relationship is revealed through flashbacks, showing a history of rivalry and unresolved trauma. John and Cody receive terrible news during training: their father has died. The news devastates them, and their performance begins to falter, affecting the entire platoon.

As the recruits progress through boot camp, Cameron's resilience grows. He begins to earn respect from his peers, especially after standing up to Slovacek during a confrontation. The entire platoon is punished for the incident, but Cameron's act of defiance shifts the balance of power. Even Sullivan takes quiet notice of Cameron's courage.

The platoon faces a final test: the obstacle course, a grueling rite of passage that demands endurance, teamwork, and willpower. Cameron performs well, as do the Bowman twins, Slovacek, and Ray. The final challenge is the rope climb, a test of pure exhaustion and determination. Cameron completes the climb, as do Cody and Slovacek. Ray powers through, but John loses his grip and falls. The failure has immediate consequences.

Sullivan demotes Ray from squad leader, citing not only John's poor performance but also Ray's distracting glances and open cheering for Cameron throughout training. To Ray's shock, Sullivan names Cameron the new squad leader. The promotion weighs heavily on Cameron, who has fought every day to keep his secret and survive. Now, as a leader, he is exposed to greater scrutiny, and the fragile bond with Ray is tested.

Sullivan, in a rare act of compassion, hands out alcohol to the recruits. They pour one out in memory of Ochoa, a fellow recruit who did not make it through training. The platoon begins to let their guard down, sharing jokes and apologies. By night's end, the group feels like a family again, bruised but bonded.

Captain Fajardo confides in McKinnon that NCIS is investigating Sullivan, suspecting he is gay. McKinnon responds bluntly, stating he does not care about Sullivan's private life and is outraged that a Marine with a Silver Star is being judged for his sexuality.

A new recruit, Jones, arrives at the barracks. He gives off quiet signals that he, too, might be gay. His arrival serves as a reminder that the cycle of secrets and belonging continues.

As the end of boot camp approaches, the recruits face a final test that relies on brotherhood to make it past the finish line. John and Cody receive more terrible news, further straining their relationship. Cameron learns a surprising revelation that threatens to jeopardize everything he has worked for. Sullivan makes a life-altering decision that impacts the entire platoon.

The newly minted Marines celebrate at a bar. Cameron and Slovacek finally make peace. On a nearby TV, news breaks that Iraq has invaded Kuwait. President George H.W. Bush announces that U.S. air and ground forces will deploy to Saudi Arabia. The question hangs in the air: will this end the conflict or escalate into something worse?

The series closes with a quiet tribute in memory of Norman Lear.

In the final obstacle course test, Cameron, the Bowman twins, Slovacek, and Ray perform well, but John loses his grip and falls during the rope climb. This failure leads to Sullivan demoting Ray from squad leader and promoting Cameron to that position, which brings new challenges and scrutiny for Cameron.

Cameron's promotion to squad leader places him in a position of authority but also exposes him to new scrutiny. It complicates his friendship with Ray, who is demoted and must now salute Cameron, his best friend. The promotion reflects both recognition and the fragile nature of their buddy system.

Jones's arrival signals the continuation of the cycle of new faces and secrets within the platoon. He gives off a quiet signal that he might also be gay, highlighting ongoing themes of identity and belonging in the military environment.

Captain Fajardo confides in McKinnon that NCIS is investigating Sullivan, suspecting he is gay. McKinnon responds bluntly that he does not care about Sullivan's private life and is outraged that a decorated Marine with a Silver Star is being judged for it, showing support for Sullivan.

After the obstacle course, Sullivan hands out alcohol in a rare act of compassion, and the recruits pour one out for Ochoa. They begin to let their guard down, jokes return, apologies are made, and the platoon starts to feel like a bruised but bonded family again.