Two friends (Jonah Hill and Miles Teller) in their early 20s, living in Miami Beach during the Iraq War, exploit a little-known government initiative that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. military contracts. Starting small, they begin raking in big money and living the high life. But the two get in over their heads when they land a $300-million deal to arm the Afghan military – a deal that puts them in business with some shady people, including the U.S. government.