The true story which unfolds in Once a Soldier is as timely and gripping as todaying and desperation he joins the military during the Vietnamese War, goes through basic training and is shipped to Europe serving with the Army of Occupation where his life takes a complete turn of events.
Sexually violated and later befriended by his platoon sergeant while on basic training, Master Sgt. Paul Landis becomes his friend and mentor, guiding him through his military training as well as introducing him to a world he knew little about. This occurrence takes place at a time when donot and seriously wounded in an outbreak of violence during a Communist May Day demonstration while on temporary Military Police duty in Trieste, Italy. Because of his injuries, the need for a blood transfusion almost costs him his life; his Commanding Officer, 1st Lt. Douglas Heaton donates his own blood. Working with Lt. Heaton, his Commanding Officer married, father of two children, Tony falls in love with him. Their relationship and experiences working and living together and the insecurities in the private life of his Commanding Officer makes the basis for the unusual startling true story.