Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is a Navy lawyer assigned to defend two men who accidentally killed a Private by asphyxiating him with a towel. Initially working out a quick and easy plea bargain with the prosecuting lawyer (Kevin Bacon), Kaffee is persuaded to investigate the case further by a determined colleague (Demi Moore). Together they take on the might of the army establishment, as the trail of evidence leads to the accused's commanding officer (Jack Nicholson).