Watch An Officer and a Gentleman

An Officer and a Gentleman is a 1982 drama about a U.S. Naval officer who finds love and butt heads with a gunnery ergeant at a Puget Sound, Washington flight school. The movie was directed by Taylor Hackford and Louis Gossett Jr. won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Zach Mayo (Richard Gere) is a Navy brat who signs up for the Aviation Officers Candidate School. Upon arriving in Puget Sound, he quickly butts heads with the tough gunnery sergeant Emil Foley (Louis Gossett Jr.). Zach is arrogant and hard-headed but eager to pass the training. While in training, he quickly becomes pals with Sid Worley (David Keith) and Casey Seeger (Lisa Eilbacher).

The officer candidates' reception is met with a barrage of insults from Foley, who also warns them about the local Puget Sound girls. The locals are looking for an naval aviator husband, and will do anything to get one, even intentional pregnancy. At a dance, Zach meets local factory worker Paula Pofrifiki (Debra Winger). Sid pairs off with Paula's best friend Lynette Pomerory (Lisa Blount). After several encounters, Zach and Paula begin to grow close. Sid has feelings for Lynette, but her only reasons for being with him are disingenuous.

After Zach is discovered selling military merchandise for profit, which is an honors violation, Foley puts him through hours of grueling military drills to force him to DOR (Drop on Request). Zach refuses and toughs his way through the abuse. After an anxiety attack, Sid DORs and proposes marriage to Lynette, whom he believes is pregnant. She turns him down, making it clear that she wants to marry a naval aviator. Paula and Lynette find Sid's body in the local motel where he has committed suicide by hanging. Disillusioned and confused, Zach abruptly stops seeing Paula. After graduation, Zach has second thoughts and realizes he loves Paula. Zach, in his white dress uniform walks through the factory where Paula works and sweeps her off her feet as her co-workers cheer.