The perfect sitcom outlet for the acid-tongued talents of comic Don Rickles, who plays Chief Petty Officer Sharkey, based at a naval recruitment center in California. Since all the men under his command seem to be from different racial and cultural backgrounds (black, Polish, Hispanic, etc.), Sharkey has plenty of ammunition for his insults and putdowns. He's actually very fond of his men though, and usually must protect them from mealy-mouthed boss Lt. Whipple and gruff base commander Capt. Buckner.