In investigating the circumstances they butt heads with the Base Commander, Colonel Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson).
No good will come of this.
Rob Reiner and Aaron Sorkin take courtroom drama and shake things up a little by basing it on military rather than criminal justice.
Known for Nicholson's ranty "you can't handle the truth" monologue it's notable that he's the rightful villain of the piece, something fans of the clip generally gloss over.
This is a really solid example of the breed. Cruise's Kaffee is a showboating glory hound looking for an easy 'win' plea bargain who has to be reigned in by the more diligent and ethical Galloway to get actual justice. There are the usual setbacks and reveals but the most surprising thing is how suddenly it's over. Nicholson isn't in court until the very end (it's almost a cameo role) and then before you know it there's the verdict and the titles are rolling. Stuff isn't made like this any more.
By modern standards everybody overacts and it's a bit stagey but this doesn't stop it being excellent 9/10.