Two young men join the Marine Corps in early '50s and their passage through their careers is almost parallel. One though the ranks of the officer corps and the other through the enlisted ranks. The only reason both are not chosen for officer candidacy is the vision of one exceeds the limitations of 20-40.

The men experience the last throes of Korea's war with the North Korean allies of communist Russia and China. They arrive within days of the signatures on the Cease Fire. From then it is training in various parts of the Marine Corps. Lizard eating for one, counter-insurgency with a special Air Force unit in a desolate and harsh land of Louisiana, culminating in several battles in Viet Nam which prove he is all that had been expected of his training. He concludes as 0-7 on his final days in the Corps. The other through the command structure of enlisted men up to and finally concluding as Sergeant Major of Marines years later. The heroism of both is not challenged. Their dedication to one another as friends continues throughout a long and distinguished career in their beloved Marine Corps.