Gunnery Sergeant Jack Burns (Fred Dryer) is selected by his mentor, Colonel Halloran (Brian Keith), to be in charge of the Marine Security Guard detachment at a United States embassy in the Middle East.

However due to the views of the Ambassador (Paul Winfield), the marine security detachment he is in charge of is severely restricted in their functions and presence to avoid upsetting the host government.

As a result, when terrorists attack the compound, they are able to kidnap hostages and escape with little opposition. Burns ignores the Ambassador’s restrictions, and throws the rule books out the window, as he becomes a one man army in an attempt to rescue the hostages, and wipe out the terrorists.