The Royal Wessex Rangers are on tour in Northern Ireland and are determined to catch a bomber working in the area.
Given a fortnight furlough, the men of the Royal Wessex brag to one another what a great time they're going to have. But the reality is very different.
The platoon return home under the temporary command of an NCO. One of his men has gone AWOL after beating up a soldier from another platoon during exercises and he has to show his superiors he can handle it in true military fashion.
Back on duty in Northern Ireland, the Royals frustrated at having to treat the hostile local youth with kid gloves, especially since one among them may be helping a sniper.
For assaulting a fellow soldier and going AWOL, Adams must now face a court-martial. If he pleads not guilty, as he intends, he will drag some comrades down with him. Can he be persuaded to change his mind?
A soldier with a rebellious streak and a drinking problem is posted to the Royals for one last chance to prove himself. Shortly after his arrival, the barracks are hit by a spate of thefts.
With Adams back from military prison and belligerent newcomer Stephens now apparently an accepted part of the squad, Platoon 6 heads off to the Welsh mountains on exercises. But an unreformed Stephens stirs up antagonisms and threatens the team's unity.