What Is In the Army Now About?
The premise of In the Army Now in 326 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In a sun‑splashed corner of Glendale, California, two amiable underachievers drift between jokes and broken TVs at a discount electronics shop. Bones Conway dreams of a modest storefront of his own, while his best friend Jack Kaufman shares the same vision, even if their day‑to‑day antics often bring them closer to disaster than success. Their camaraderie is built on shared schemes and a mutual longing for a bigger break.
When a flyer promising “one weekend a month, two weeks a year” catches their eye, the pair see a shortcut to the capital they need for their entrepreneurial plans. Signing up for the Army Reserves, they gravitate toward a water‑purification specialty, hoping the role will keep them out of the line of fire and give them a respectable badge to hang on a future shop wall. Basic training introduces them to a ragtag crew of fellow newcomers, including the determined Christine Jones who craves infantry action, and nervous dental student Fred Ostroff who is in over his head. Together they adopt the tongue‑in‑cheek moniker “waterboys,” a badge that reflects their uneasy blend of earnestness and mischief.
Just as their training winds down, a sudden overseas call sends them far from Glendale’s familiar streets. The shift from a controlled reserve schedule to an uncertain deployment hints at a world where even the most mundane military job can become pivotal. Here, the contrast between the bright‑eyed reservists and the hardened professional—embodied by the seasoned Sgt. Stern—sharpens the comedic tension, promising a clash of attitudes as the “waterboys” confront the realities of a far‑flung theater.
The film plays with the absurdity of well‑meaning slackers thrust into a serious arena, mixing light‑hearted banter with the underlying pressure of a mission that could matter more than they ever imagined. Its tone balances goofy, buddy‑comedy moments with a subtle undercurrent of military satire, leaving the audience curious about how far these unlikely heroes will go when the stakes rise beyond the shop floor.
What Happens in In the Army Now?
The complete story of In the Army Now, from the first scene to the last, in 470 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Bones Conway and Jack Kaufman are the kind of slackers who work at the Crazy Boys discount electronics store in Glendale, California, where they spend as much time joking around as they do fixing things, always dreaming about someday opening their own shop. Their shared ambition isn’t enough to keep them from a firing, as they’re dismissed after destroying a rack of television sets, a mistake that sets them both on a new path.
Seeking a quick start-up fund, they sign up for the United States Army Reserves, lured by the famous slogan, “One weekend a month, two weeks a year.” Bones chooses water purification for their field, hoping a safer, less combat-heavy role aligns with his brother’s pool-man background, while the two friends head back toward Glendale with a sense of reckless optimism. During training, they cross paths with Christine Jones, a determined recruit who longs for infantry, and Fred Ostroff, a dental student who is visibly nervous about the whole enterprise. The quartet nicknames themselves the “waterboys,” a tongue-in-cheek badge of their unconventional unit.
Unbeknownst to them, Libya has plans to invade Chad, and the Reservists are suddenly called to serve overseas. They first attempt a discharge by pretending to be homosexuals, a plan that backfires and leaves them still in uniform. In Chad, they struggle to fit in with the full-time soldiers, especially Sgt. Stern, whose expertise and demeanor highlight the difference between the two groups. On a routine resupply mission, their convoy is ambushed by a Libyan commando squad, and the Reservists are presumed killed in action.
The men find themselves captured and spending a night in a Libyan POW camp, where they cross paths with Stern, who has been shot and captured as well. He briefs them on his mission to rendezvous with two HALOed Fast Attack vehicles and to destroy mobile Scud launchers armed with chemical warheads aimed at American bases. After an airstrike, the foursome and Stern escape, locate the missiles, and coordinate with American forces to finish the mission. They face a brutal battle, painting the missiles with a laser for an incoming airstrike, and when the strike goes off-target, the Reservists are forced to take matters into their own hands.
Bones wields an AT4 anti-tank launcher and destroys the Scud launcher base in a single, decisive strike, though a misfire sends one rocket spinning backward, leaving them to rely on their last remaining rocket. The group returns home as heroes, and they end up opening an electronics shop next to an Army recruiting station—where two men who resemble their earlier selves stand with wary looks about joining the reserves.
A fleeting moment of recognition caps their journey, including a cameo by the uncredited Link during the film’s action, a reminder of how far they’ve come from their days at Crazy Boys.
In the Army Now Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Fired from Crazy Boys; choose to join the Army Reserves” to “Final image: skeptical new recruits”. 11 events name a place, across 4 locations.
- 1
Fired from Crazy Boys; choose to join the Army Reserves
Bones and Jack are fired after destroying a rack of televisions at Crazy Boys in Glendale, California. They decide to pursue a quick start-up for their own electronics store by joining the Army Reserves, lured by the slogan 'One weekend a month, two weeks a year.' The incident kicks off their unlikely military path.
Where:Glendale, California
- 2
Reserve training begins; meeting future teammates
They begin basic and specialized training, with Bones choosing water purification as their field. During training they meet Christine Jones, a recruit who longs to serve infantry, and Fred Ostroff, a dental student who is skittish about the future. The group adopts the nickname 'waterboys' and prepares to return to Glendale when the assignment begins.
Where:United States Army training facilities
- 3
Deployment to Chad; discharge attempts fail
Unaware of Libya's plans, Bones and Jack are called to service overseas in Chad. They initially attempt to obtain a discharge by pretending to be homosexual, but their ruse is discovered and rejected. The plan to avoid combat is dashed as orders set them on a dangerous tour.
Where:Chad
- 4
Arrival in Chad; tensions with full-time soldiers; ambush
The reservists struggle to integrate with the full-time soldiers, especially Staff Sergeant Stern. On a routine resupply mission, their convoy is ambushed by Libyan commandos and thought to be killed in action, leaving them to survive in the desert. The misfit unit's survival instincts kick in as they navigate hostile territory.
Where:Chad
- 5
Captivity and briefing in Libyan POW camp
After several days, they are captured by Libyan forces and spend a night in a POW camp. There they meet Staff Sergeant Stern, who has also been captured and is wounded. Stern briefs them on his failed mission to link up with HALO Fast Attack vehicles and destroy mobile Scud launchers carrying chemical warheads.
Where:Libyan POW camp, Chad
- 6
Escape during an airstrike; rejoin with HALO assets
During an airstrike, Bones, Jack, Christine Jones, Fred Ostroff, and Staff Sergeant Stern escape Libyan forces and locate the HALO Fast Attack vehicles. They contact the American headquarters and are ordered to finish the Special Forces mission. The escape marks a turning point from mere survival to active combat operation.
Where:Chad
- 7
Locating missiles and preparing the strike
The team locates the mobile Scud missiles and fights to hold off a Libyan battalion while preparing for an airstrike. They paint the missiles with a laser designator, coordinating with the upcoming strike and rallying around each other to survive a heavy assault.
Where:Chad
- 8
Airstrike misfires; missiles destroyed
The airstrike goes off-target, forcing Bones and the others to take matters into their own hands. Bones uses an AT4 anti-tank rocket to obliterate the Scud launcher base, but a ricocheting rocket is fired backward, leaving them to expend their last remaining rocket in the fight.
Where:Chad
- 9
Return home as heroes
The mission is completed, and the four reservists return to the United States as heroes. Their survival and decisive actions in Chad elevate their status among peers and locals alike, marking a dramatic transformation from misfit soldiers to celebrated veterans.
Where:Glendale, California
- 10
Open an electronics shop next to a recruiting station
Back home, Bones and Jack realize their dream and open an electronics shop adjacent to an Army recruiting station. The shop becomes a symbol of civilian life finally taking root after their grueling tour. The juxtaposition raises questions as new recruits nearby watch them with skepticism.
Where:Glendale, California
- 11
Final image: skeptical new recruits
In the film's closing moment, two men resembling the 'waterboys' stand near the recruiting station, clearly unsure about joining the reserves. The ending underscores the thin line between the thrill of enlistment and the reality of commitment. Their story leaves the door open for a similar arc in the future.
Where:Glendale, California
Who Are the Main Characters in In the Army Now?
5 characters, among them Christine Jones (Lori Petty), Bones Conway (Pauly Shore) and Jack Kaufman (Andy Dick): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Christine Jones (Lori Petty)
Played by Lori Petty
A determined female recruit who longs to fight in infantry, Christine brings grit and focus to the group. She challenges the male-dominated dynamic and pushes others to take their service seriously. Her resolve helps steady the team during the overseas mission.
- 💪 Determination
- 🎯 Ambition
- 🧭 Resolve
-
Bones Conway (Pauly Shore)
Played by Pauly Shore
Bones is a laid-back slacker who nonetheless has street-smart instincts. His humor masks insecurity, but his loyalty grows as he fights to protect his friends and complete the mission. He symbolizes how unlikely heroes can emerge under pressure.
- 😎 Slacker
- 💥 Humor
- 🤝 Loyalty
-
Jack Kaufman (Andy Dick)
Played by Andy Dick
Jack is a goofy, improvisational partner in crime with a tendency for impulsive schemes. His zany energy lightens dangerous moments while revealing a surprising capacity for courage when it matters most.
- 😂 Comic Relief
- 🎯 Focus
- 🤝 Teamwork
-
Fred Ostroff (David Alan Grier)
Played by David Alan Grier
A skittish dental student who becomes part of the quartet, Fred brings nervous humor and unexpected competence to the group. He grows more confident as the mission unfolds, proving that courage comes in surprising forms.
- 🧠 Nervous
- 🧭 Growth
- 🛡️ Courage
-
Staff Sergeant Stern (Esai Morales)
Played by Esai Morales
A tough Special Forces sergeant who mentors and clashes with the reservists. Stern provides critical mission briefings and demonstrates the weight of real military operations behind the jokes. He positions the reservists to test their limits and prove their worth.
- 🎖️ Leadership
- ⚔️ Expertise
- 🧭 Guidance
Where and When Is In the Army Now Set?
In the Army Now is set in Glendale, California and Chad. Here is why the place matters to the story.
When
The story unfolds in the late 20th century, reflecting a peacetime U.S. Army Reserve mindset and a recruitment slogan like 'One weekend a month, two weeks a year.' The characters travel from Glendale to a foreign sandbox, turning a routine drill into a high-stakes mission. The timeline centers on contemporary modern-day events rather than historical wars.
Where
Glendale, California, Chad
Glendale, California serves as the film's everyday backdrop, centering on a discount electronics store where Bones and Jack dream of starting their own business. The overseas action takes place in Chad, a harsh desert region where Libyan forces threaten the area and the reservists are thrust into combat. The contrast between the suburban storefront and the desert battlefield highlights the film's comic take on military life.
- 🏙️ Glendale
- California
- 🏜️ Chad desert
What Are the Themes of In the Army Now?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Camaraderie, Duty and Humor.
-
01
Camaraderie
A core thread is the bond among Bones, Jack, Christine, and Fred as they improvise their way through boot camp and a dangerous overseas mission. The misfit group learns to rely on each other despite clashing personalities. Their humor and shared goals strengthen their loyalty when faced with danger. The film uses this camaraderie to punch up moments of tension with warmth.
-
02
Duty
The characters respond to the call of duty despite reluctance and misgivings about military life. They trade easy comforts for a sense of purpose, even when the mission seems improbable. The story explores how ordinary people can rise to responsibility under pressure. It also satirizes the gap between recruited fantasies and real-world obligations.
-
03
Humor
The film leans into comedy to temper action, using the reservists' bumbling personas to lampoon military bureaucracy. Slapstick moments sit alongside tense firefights, creating a tonal blend of laughs and danger. The humor arises from character dynamics, miscommunications, and ironic contrasts between planned operations and chaos in the desert. It ultimately underscores resilience through laughter.
What Kind of Film Is In the Army Now?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A fast-paced, silly military comedy where two incompetent slackers bumble their way through basic training and an accidental wartime adventure, propelled by slapstick humor and an overall goofy tone.
- silly
- lighthearted
- slapstick
- goofy
- adventurous
- optimistic
- fish out of water
- military satire
- slacker heroes
- comradeship
Content notes: war violence, POW camp.
Quiz
How well do you remember In the Army Now? Test yourself on the story.
Where to Watch In the Army Now
Rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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