Primarily documents the life of Michele "Mitzi" Manning, her service with the United States Marine Corps, post-military work as a chaplain. Manning describes her decision to join the U.S. Marine Corps as a way to connect with her father, and how she believes being an older woman in the military helped her in situations with men that would have been more difficult for a younger woman, and how the females had to prove themselves. Manning recalls never failing a selection board but expresses her frustration with never being promoted early (i.e. "below the zone.")