Episode 3 of *Boots* kicks off with an intense crash course on Basilome, a celebrated Marine hero. The Drill Instructors (DIs) drill it into the recruits' heads that grit and confidence are the ultimate keys to success. Meanwhile, a storm is gathering on the horizon, leading to the cancellation of outdoor training. However, the assistant DIs aren't deterred; they simply order the recruits to scrub the barracks spotless.
As the days pass, a sense of camaraderie begins to bloom among the recruits. They've started to form tight bonds, with Cody, Hicks, and Slovachek forming their own little clique. Ochoa takes it upon himself to write letters for Mason, while Nash can't help but flirt shamelessly with Cameron. Slovachek, ever the competitor, tries to stir up a rivalry with Nash, but Nash isn't biting.
Ray has mended fences with Cameron, who's now consumed with worry over Sullivan's apparent vendetta against him. To make matters worse, Cameron hasn't been able to use the communal toilets for a week, leaving him in a rather precarious situation. Enter Santos, a new recruit sent to replace John. He struts in like he owns the place, cracking jokes and making demands. He forces Cody to switch bunks and even swipes Cameron's shoelace.
As Cameron is busy filing something away, Sullivan receives a letter from Guam that throws him into a tizzy. He unleashes his frustration on Cameron, trashing the dorm and ordering the recruits to clean it up without any cleaning supplies. Even the stoic Howitt is taken aback by Sullivan's outburst. Cameron, at a loss for what to do, is saved by Santos, who steps in and helps them devise a plan to tackle the mess together.
Meanwhile, Barbara has found solace in the arms of Pitowski. He picks up on her longing for Cameron and suggests they attend Marines Mom, a support group for loved ones of Marines.
For the Confidence Course, the recruits are plunged into a muddy training session. Cameron's shoe is hopelessly unlaced thanks to Santos' earlier prank, making every step a struggle. Sullivan, ever the taskmaster, forces Cameron to sit out the first obstacle, leaving him bewildered. But Cameron isn't one to give up easily; he rejoin the fray for the next challenge, which involves traversing a rope course.
Ochoa grapples with his struggles, while Mason attempts to lift his spirits with encouragement. Slovachek keeps trying to provoke Nash, but the latter remains unfazed, his mind solely focused on enduring boot camp to bolster his college application. Hicks stumbles but takes it in stride, nonchalantly pocketing a snake he encounters along the way.
Cameron is the last to take his turn. He lags behind, moving too slowly, and Sullivan, with a stern voice, orders him to tap out. Cameron's disappointment is palpable. When it comes to the next obstacle, Nash sprints ahead, arriving first and solitary. McKinnon reprimands him for abandoning his squad, then metes out punishment by making him run laps and appointing Santos as the new squad leader in his place.
For the final challenge, the recruits face a towering vertical ladder. Cameron is again at the tail end, and true to form, his shoelace becomes ensnared on the top rung. Ray rushes to his aid, but Sullivan, ever the disciplinarian, punishes Ray for his interference. Yet, in an unexpected turn, Sullivan himself ascends the ladder and gently assists Cameron in freeing himself. It becomes evident that Sullivan is aware of Cameron's sexual orientation, for he issues a stern warning that there can be no homosexuals in the platoon.
Cameron returns to the barracks, crestfallen. Once inside, he decides it's finally time to answer nature's call. Hicks, ever the jester, declares Cameron the victor in their self-proclaimed poop challenge, and to Cameron's surprise, the rest of the squad actually cheers him on.
Later that night, under the cover of darkness, Cameron sneaks extra rations to Nash, who has just completed his grueling laps. Nash opens up, revealing his doubts and true aspirations. He dreams of making a difference, of becoming the first Black president. But he hasn't shared his whereabouts with his family, fearing their disapproval. In a moment of vulnerability, Cameron reciprocates, admitting that despite his mother's aloofness, he misses her dearly.
We witness him penning a brief letter to her, a mere handful of words asserting his well-being. Distraught, she resolves to attend the support group. Initially, she feels out of place, her discomfort palpable. But when called upon to speak, her composure crumbles. With a trembling voice, she admits she's not the best mother, yet her heart aches at Cameron's absence. She flees the room in tears, only to be consoled by Wendy, another grieving mother. Yet, a misunderstanding lingers; Wendy assumes Cameron has fallen in battle.
The ultimate trial awaits: the tear gas chamber. Mason, overcome with panic, begins to hyperventilate. Ochoa rushes to his aid, but his efforts prove futile as Mason, in a fit of terror, accidentally strikes Howitt. As Mason is escorted away, Sullivan remarks on Mason's physical prowess, the strongest in the platoon, yet notes that true strength emanates from within. These words resonate with Cameron, fueling his resolve. During the test, he stands firm, the last man standing. Sullivan nods in approval, and Cameron breathes a sigh of relief.
That evening, Barbara attempts to craft a response to Cameron's letter. However, a call from Wendy interrupts her, and Barbara seizes the opportunity to pitch her makeup line.
Meanwhile, at the base, Cody yearns to check on John but hesitates. Ochoa, in a moment of reflection, pens a letter to his family, recounting tales of his friend, Mason. Yet, his smile fades as he learns of Mason's expulsion.
Santos bestows upon Cameron an extra pair of shoelaces, a gesture of camaraderie. We glimpse his life beyond the base, a wife and two children who await his letters. Nash, too, decides to bare his soul, writing to his family with honesty.
As for Sullivan, a letter marked with a "W" piques our curiosity. It appears NCIS is delving into Sullivan's past, hinting at a dark incident in Guam that prompted his departure. With a heavy heart, he sets the letter ablaze, erasing the past.
