Bud receives a promotion from lieutenant (junior grade) to full lieutenant; then Bud Sr. enters in uniform, announces that the Navy has recalled him to active duty to try him at a court-martial (for larceny and wrongful disposition of government property), and he asks Bud to defend him. Harm prosecutes, Bud defends, and Bud Sr. assaults and batters a government witness. Bud proves to be a vigorous and aggressive adversary at trial. Bud and Harriet throw a wetdown party at Murphy's Tavern.

The admiral gets help from the gang to prepare him to argue a case before the Supreme Court of the US, but the case suddenly becomes moot. Meanwhile Clark Palmer plays head games with Harm, involving LCdr. Jordi Parker as well; Harm wins.