Part 1: Get Some
In the northern desert of Kuwait, the elite specially trained U.S. First Recon Marines prepare to invade Iraq as the "tip of the spear" for Operation Iraqi Freedom. While awaiting orders from Commander of First Recon Lt. Col. Stephen "Godfather" Ferrando, they welcome writer Evan "Scribe" Wright from Rolling Stone magazine. Wright will be embedded with Bravo's five-vehicle Platoon 2 unit, riding in a Humvee with Team Leader Brad "Iceman" Colbert, driver Ray Person and LCpl. James Trombley. After an unexpected and portentous mass delivery of pizza, the soldiers finally break camp, pack up their Humvees and cross the northern border into Iraq – and into an uncertain future.

Part 2: The Cradle of Civilization
Along with the rest of First Marine Division, Bravo busts north towards Nasiriyah, where their sister company Alpha gets its first taste of combat at a bridge outside the city. Bravo crosses the Euphrates and ends up entering Nasiriyah by day, driving through the city with minimal gunfire. Heading north to Mesopotamia - the "Cradle of Civilization" - Bravo chomps at the bit for action, finally getting "lit up" in a violent but successful skirmish in Al Gharraf - and Trombley scores his first kill. Reflecting on the day's successes, Ferrando admits his biggest fear isn't fighting the Iraqis, but doing something his general won't like. For one night, he'll have no such fear.

Part 3: Screwby
Scoping out a roadside hamlet, Bravo watches in horror as a regimental combat team arrives with guns firing and obliterates the area. After Alpha Company shells Ar Rifa, Ferrando issues an urgent order: capture an airfield defended by Iraqi Republican Guard tanks. After a supply truck is hit by friendly fire, Ferrando orders Bravo to treat all Iraqis as hostile. Trombley takes the order to heart and fires, later discovering he shot two Iraqi boys and their camels. Bravo ends up taking the airfield without a single casualty, though "Captain America" does his best to cripple its abandoned hangars. Afterwards, the wounded boys are evacuated to a trauma unit. While Trombley, told to prepare for an investigation, expresses concern only over the fate of Colbert, who had given him orders to fire.

Part 4: Combat Jack
Having raced to capture the airfield, First Recon has some time to rest and regroup. The abandoned supply truck, looted and destroyed, leaves the company down to one meal a day. A grumbling Alpha team is tasked with recovering the body of a captured Marine murdered in Ah Shatra. Meanwhile, Bravo pushes north, eventually setting up a roadblock outside of Al Hayy. The men debate the proper protocol to stop cars, but it's a fine line between being cautious and putting oneself at risk. Alpha returns from Ah Shatra, having raised more questions with their mission than they answered.

Part 5: A Burning Dog
The men of Bravo are frustrated by the capricious nature of the war, while Colbert struggles to defend the actions of the higher-ups. First Recon finally gets a chance to use their skills and learn from Iraqi locals about an ambush at a bridge ahead. For once, First Recon gets to rest and watch as better armed LAVs assault the bridge. With the ambush thought to be quelled, Colbert's team is ordered to lead Bravo across, only to discover the enemy still has some fight in them. The following morning, First Recon examines the bodies of the men they fought, discovering their enemy is not who they imagined - the inexactitude of the war weighs heavily on the men.

Part 6: Stay Frosty
Outside of Al Kut, "Captain America" is over-eager in his attempts to subdue a prisoner, while his men's disillusionment with his command is growing more apparent. First Recon's next mission is to escort civilians fleeing from Baghdad down the highway. Colbert and the others realize that with Baghdad being the next stop for the American forces, their war has probably come to an end. Later, First Recon heads to Baqubah, a town north of Baghdad, to go up against Iraqi armor. Despite some mishaps, the mission is successful, but leaves First Recon unsure of what their role will be back in Baghdad.

Part 7: The Man Comes Around
Bravo reaches Baghdad, where the men are shocked by the sheer size and scope of the city. While on patrol, First Recon discovers the list of problems the Iraqis face is much greater than the Marines could imagine. Their attempts to help are thwarted by ever-changing assignments, a lack of necessary supplies, unruly locals and cultural misunderstandings. The men learn their final night in Baghdad is upon them and celebrate in a soccer stadium. The Marines take inventory and reflect on their time in Iraq, and tensions that have been simmering throughout finally boil over during a friendly football game. "Scribe" says his goodbyes and has an interesting conversation with Ferrando before heading off. One of the Recon Marines shows the movie he's put together from footage he's shot. The men enjoy the sights and sounds before drifting off.