After John Winger (Bill Murray) loses his job, is kicked out of his apartment, and his girlfriend leaves him it's a television commercial of all things that changes his life forever. Upon hearing the jingle, "Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines: what a great place! It's a great place to start!" he is inspired to join the U. S. Army in an effort to change his luck. He even convinces his friend, Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis), to join along with him. In basic training, they and the rest of their platoon meet their match in Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates). Hulka's brand of discipline doesn't mesh well with the rag-tag group of troops he's been given. After Hulka is injured (in hilarious fashion) during basic training, his platoon finds a way to complete the training on their own in time for the graduation ceremony, impressing enough of the higher brass to earn a plum assignment for themselves in Italy after they leave basic. Once in Italy, John and Russell's hijinks cause their old platoon, including a rejuvenated Sgt. Hulka, to fall into enemy hands. Will the boys rescue them in time? And if so, how?