In a small Texas town, decorated Iraq War soldier Brandon King returns home alongside his best friends, Steve and Tommy. They try to readjust to civilian life while grappling with traumatic memories from their service. Brandon, looking forward to resuming normalcy, receives orders that shock him: he is "stop-lossed" – a policy that involuntarily extends a soldier's enlistment. Frustrated and feeling betrayed, Brandon decides to defy the order and goes AWOL, setting off on a journey to find a way out.

As Brandon navigates through personal and legal challenges, he relies on the support of Michelle, Steve's fiancée, who understands his predicament. Simultaneously, Steve and Tommy struggle with their own post-war battles; Tommy's self-destructive behavior escalates, causing tensions in their tight-knit group. The film intensely examines the impact of war on soldiers' mental health and relationships, showcasing Brandon's determination to reclaim his life against a backdrop of loyalty, friendship, and the harsh realities of military duty.