In the late 1960s, Australia and the United States share the struggle for Vietnam. A hard-edged Special Air service Corporal meets a new company of soldiers during his second tour in Vietnam. There's the naïve Bill, the easy-going Bung, the blunt Rogers, the pragmatic Dawson, and the youthful and innocent Scott. Because of their training as professional soldiers from Australia's toughest Army unit, these men believe they can deal with any situation. They pass the time playing practical jokes, getting into drunken brawls and humoring themselves to keep their minds off the war. But when the first shot rings out, and an enemy mortar barrage hits their camp causing many casualties, the men realize their protective shield of humor is no defense against the hard realities of armed combat.