AllMovie

In 1963 in Cuba, a platoon of border guards is sent to a small island where exiled Cubans have been landing to stage raids on the country, or to infiltrate the population. The platoon is headed by a sergeant who is semi-literate, but faithful to his duty and well-schooled in how to train soldiers to get them into combat shape -- and this he does. As he gains the eventual appreciation of the men for the hardships he has put them through, his efforts are tested when the first attack comes from an off-shore boat. After successfully stopping that raid, the nervous soldiers accidentally attack one of their own boats, unrecognized at first because it had been painted. Although some diversion is at hand as women visit from a nearby island, the soldiers know that a major attack could come at any time.