 When New York City cab driver John Winger is fired from his job, his car is repossessed, he loses his apartment, and his girlfriend leaves him -- all in the same day -- John and his best friend Russell Ziskey decide to join the army. After enlisting, John and Russell are sent to Fort Arnold to undergo basic training under tough drill sergeant Hulka. Hulka is injured by a mortar bomb during basic training, and John has to lead the group in completing their training on their own. After graduation, General Barnicke Assigns Winger, Ziskey, and their platoon to Fort Milano, Italy, to man the EM-50 urban assault vehicle. By this time, sergeant Hulka has recovered from his injuries and has rejoined John, Russell, and the other men. When John and Russell decide to take the EM50 to Germany to pick up their girlfriends, MPs Stella Hansen and Louise Cooper, for a night on the town, the rest of the platoon searches for them because Captain Stillman wants the EM-50 to be put back where it was at. While searching for the EM-50, Stillman and the unit are captured by hostile Russian troops, who take them into Czechoslovakia. Now John, Russell, Stella, and Louise must venture into Czechoslovakia and rescue the guys.