Newly commissioned Ensign Willis Seward "Willie" Keith reports to the Destroyer minesweeper USS ''Caine,'' commanded by William De Vriess, also meeting executive officer Stephen Maryk and communications officer Thomas Keefer. De Vriess, popular with the men but disliked by Keith, is relieved by Phillip Francis Queeg, who immediately attempts to instill strict discipline on the ''Caine's'' lax crew.