The story, opens in the office of Congressman Joe Norton from a (fictitious) district in Ohio. Concerned about reelection, he attends a state veterans convention to gather support for his campaign. In the Q and A following his address, a reporter asks him about murder charges against a Marine squad in Iraq. An opponent of the conflict, he replies that he has information proving that they are indeed guilty.The scene shifts to Iraq and the encounter of the Marine squad with insurgents who kill one member of the squad.Sergeant Carmichael, squad leader, calls for help and the unit is extracted. However, the investigators find "evidence" planted by other insurgents indicating that a man and a woman were murdered. Seeing an opportunity for advancement, the senior Marine legal counsel ("JAG") lays the ground work not only for prosecution of the enlisted men, but also the platoon, company and battalion commanders for dereliction of duty. The enlisted Marines are sent home for confinement by the NCIS and later trial; the officers are to be tried in Iraq. The Commanding General attempts to ensure justice but is blocked by the lawyers.Members of the press, both American (New York) and British (London), scramble. for scoops on the stories. It is the British couple, one of whom is on the scene in Iraq, to be first to get the story into print.The squad and its superior officers are eventually acquitted but not before more violence, both in Washington and Iraq. They also uncover more corruption.Even through the turmoil; and confusion love evolves in Iraq. The junior JAG, Lieutenant Katie McDonnell, and the acquitted platoon commander, Lieutenant Craig Gordon become engaged, while the British team, Colin and Liz also plan their marriage.