With long ties to military service, the McCarran and the Gallagher families have been friends since the Vietnam War. Returning from a traumatizing tour in Iraq, Lt. Brian McCarran seeks solace in his friendship with Kate Gallagher. However, when Brian shoots and kills Capt. Joe D'Abruzzo, his commanding officer, who happens to be Kate's husband, in a supposed act of self-defense, old family secrets are revealed and alliances are broken.