The story follows three extraordinary years in the life of Alan Gray, who after joining the armed forces as a bet at the age of seventeen, went on to serve in the Korean War. It tells of his training, his sporting endeavours and his conquests of the fairer sex along the way. Culminating in his agonising decision of whether to stay in the army, or go back to life as a civilian. It is a true to life insight into army life as a raw recruit, through to serving your country in a war zone.