Home from Iraq, a lieutenant kills his commanding officer - was it self-defence or pre-meditated murder? The McCarrans and the Gallaghers, two families with deep ties to the military, have been close for decades. Now, Lt. Brian McCarran returns from a harrowing tour in Iraq. Traumatized by war-time experiences he will not reveal, Brian depends on his lifelong friendship with Kate Gallagher, who is married to Brian's commanding officer in Iraq, Capt. Joe D'Abruzzo. But D'Abruzzo also seems changed - he's become secretive and remote. Tragedy strikes when Brian shoots and kills D'Abruzzo on their army post in Virginia. Brian pleads self-defence, claiming that D'Abruzzo accused him of interfering with his marriage.