Anthony "T-Rock" Rockson is trapped amid gang violence on the streets of Los Angeles. With only one option to escape, he joins the army with fellow gang members, Michael and Daemon. Heather Wilson and her African American friend, Jennie, join the ROTC with plans to become officers after college. As Julius Jackson awaits his punishment before a judge, he agrees to a unique option: four years in the army. Rob Lancaster, who is not interested in leveraging his family's name anymore, joins the military where he hopes to be judged only on his strengths and weaknesses.
Eight years later, T-Rock, Michael, Daemon, Heather, Jennie, Julius, and Rob have all created new lives for themselves. Unfortunately, the struggle between blacks and whites in the military is evident. Determined to instigate change, a group of African American soldiers creates an underground organization focused on securing military assets located in six southeastern states. As the leaders of the Black Heritage Army plan a battle against the remaining United States, a civil war begins, potentially changing the course of American history forever and embroiling T-Rock and the others in an unforgettable struggle for justice.
The Next Civil War reveals the challenges of several soldiers as they attempt to overcome strained race relations in the military via an underground organization with a mission to instigate war.