The fifth episode of Boots opens with a recruit collapsing in a panicked heap, Cameron's voice echoing through the chaos as he frantically calls for assistance. The scene cuts back two weeks, where Slovacek continues to taunt Nash over his diary. Meanwhile, Ochoa pens a letter to his wife, Gloria, while the recruits hone their skills as riflemen, with Qualification Day looming on the horizon. The day is crucial: those labeled "Experts" earn the coveted title of Honor Man, while those who falter are faced with dismissal. Ochoa's heart beats with the desire to secure the prize of a phone call home.
Back home, Barbara hosts the Marine Moms under the guise of a cosmetics sale, but June, Ray's mother, unknowingly spills the beans about Cameron's survival. The Moms are shocked by Barbara's deceit, which she attempts to gloss over with a flimsy excuse.
As rifle training commences, Ochoa harbors doubts about his own abilities and embarks on a desperate mission to trade his phone call with the winner. Ray seems poised to emerge victorious. Meanwhile, Fajardo is elated that Sullivan has reenlisted, only to be surprised by her decision to become a permanent Drill Instructor (DI). Meanwhile, McKinnon's life is about to be turned upside down with the arrival of his first child, and he dotes on his wife and unborn baby.
Mail day arrives, and Cameron accidentally grabs Nash's letter. Nash tries to apologize, but Cameron dismisses him with a shrug. Ray learns of Barbara's lie from his mother and is not surprised by Cameron's continued presence. Hicks finds it amusing and shares a "funny lie" with Ray, revealing that Cameron has been stealing their toilet paper.
As Qual Day approaches, Ray gets a chance to confront Cameron, calling him a liar. Shaken by the confrontation, Cameron falters under Sullivan's coaching. Ochoa shines, hitting bullseye after bullseye, while Nash struggles and Slovacek, despite his own proficiency, taunts him mercilessly. Just as things reach a boiling point, birds fly into the range, prompting a ceasefire. To further antagonize Nash, Slovacek shoots one of the birds, resulting in his immediate disqualification. McKinnon reprimands both Nash and Slovacek, realizing that Nash's actions stem from his mistreatment over the diary incident. He declares that if Nash unqualifies, so does Slovacek; further, since this is a plea deal, Slovacek will face a return to prison.
The evening prior to Qual Day, the recruits were afforded the opportunity to voice their concerns. Ochoa's anxiety spiked as the anticipation loomed that he'd be trained as a sniper, while Sullivan offered a sobering reality check – they were being prepared to take human lives. Cameron found Ochoa in tears, his neck aching with a pain that paled in comparison to his heart's distress. The thought of taking another life weighed heavily on him, but he had been little more than a shadow before enlisting in the Marines. Even Gloria had accepted his proposal post-enrollment. Cameron comforted him, assuring him that he was already a man in his own right.
Qual Day dawned, and Slovacek attempted an apology, but Nash was unmoved. Cameron tried to mend fences with Ray, sharing Sullivan's motivational words, but Ray's fury persisted and the argument escalated, Ray even implying a romantic connection between Sullivan and Cameron. Cameron's fury ignited as he countered with a punch.
It was Ochoa's turn to face the challenge, and understanding the burden he carried out of love gave him the strength to hit the bullseye with precision. Nash appeared to have given up, his mother's letter of disgrace waiting for him at home. McKinnon explained that his job was to train individuals to face their enemies head-on, and Nash needed to face his own demons instead of running away.
Cameron regretted the fight with Ray, but his Inner Cameron was proud of him for finally standing up for himself. Meanwhile, Sullivan was being questioned by NCIS Agent Blodgett. Major Wilkinson was under investigation for sodomy, and rumors swirled that he had had a relationship with Sullivan. Sullivan denied being gay but was asked to remove his shirt. Blodgett smiled upon seeing the 'Semper Fi' tattoo on his chest, causing Fajardo to promise Sullivan that she would handle the situation, though he seemed to accept it with resignation.
The test results have been revealed, and the news is nothing short of impressive – a collective triumph for everyone, Cameron and Nash leading the pack. Slovacek extends his gratitude to Nash for not spilling the beans on the exam, while Ochoa has claimed victory in his own way. As a well-deserved reward, the recruits are treated to a movie night, settling in to watch Ghostbusters 2.
As the film unfolds, Ochoa's phone rings, catching everyone's attention. The caller on the other end stuns him – it's Gloria, betraying him with another man. Howitt, noticing Ochoa's stricken expression, playfully teases him about being cheated on. This sets off a chain reaction of exasperation from Ochoa, who unleashes a stream of expletives at Howitt. In response, the drill instructor metes out punishment in the form of rigorous exercise, turning Ochoa's frustration into an outlet for his pent-up energy.
As Ochoa grunts out their training drills, he starts spouting off what he's learned, wondering aloud if this is what it takes to be a "real man." He refuses to slow down, even as Cameron can see he's in pain. Howitt orders him to stop, but Ochoa keeps pushing himself until he collapses. That night, Sullivan's revelation that Ochoa has passed away brings a somber end to the day's events.
