The recruits are led by the tyrannical Gunnery Sergeant Hartman , who uses psychological and physical abuse to strip them of their individuality.
On the final night of boot camp, Pyle executes Hartman in the barracks before turning the rifle on himself, leaving Joker as a witness to the tragic outcome of their "indoctrination". Part 2: The Reality of Combat Full Metal Jacket (1987)
The second half shifts to Vietnam, where Joker is now a seasoned military journalist for Stars and Stripes . The recruits are led by the tyrannical Gunnery
The first half is set at Parris Island, South Carolina, where a group of Marine recruits undergoes harrowing basic training. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
My take on the supposedly inner meaning behind Full Metal Jacket