1967 is an explosive year in the Viet Nam War that culminates in the bloody Tet Offensive of 1968. Second Lieutenant Sam, United States Marine Corps, who as 1966 wound down considered himself least likely to join the military, slogs through sniper infested booby trapped rice paddies in search of the elusive Viet Cong. Painfully aware of his newness at the beginning of his 13 month tour, he wonders if he will be able to control his fear and gain the respect of the young war hardened Marines he leads. Wading through the wreckage of battle he considers how thin the veneer of civilization seems to be and while he considers its frailty his own moral compass loses its ability to find direction and leads him to his own "Heart of Darkness" moment.