Carl Brashear lets nothing stand in the way of his dreams. After he joins the newly-integrated Navy, he spends two years writing a hundred letters before the service accepts his application for its Dive School program. Carl’s training officer, Billy Sunday, wants no part of Carl or his ambitions. Sunday, a celebrated Master Chief Navy Diver, relentlessly taunts and challenges Carl, expecting him to falter and quit. But Carl has other ideas. Nothing will stand in the way of his dream of becoming a Navy Diver. Not even Billy Sunday.

Years later, after Carl suffers a crippling injury, he and Sunday unexpectedly join forces. Never one to turn down an opportunity to flout the system, the rebellious senior officer helps Carl buck Navy bureaucracy, overcome the loss of a leg, and go on to make military history.