 Admiral Hornsby orders Commander Stoner to encourage men on the USS Applebee to re-enlist. Ensign O Toole, the ship s executive officer, convinces Commander Stoner that a warm, friendly smile is the best way to convince the men to stay on the USS Applebee even though it is contrary to the commander s nature. Naturally, the enlisted men are bewildered and suspicious of the commander s sudden, new attitude, which forces him to double his efforts.