G.I. Jane follows the story of Lieutenant Jordan O’Neil, a determined and capable Navy intelligence officer chosen to undergo training in the elite U.S. Navy Combined Reconnaissance Team—a fictional version of Navy SEAL training. Her selection is part of a political maneuver by a U.S. senator, Lillian DeHaven, who wants to challenge the military’s gender-based policies and prove that women can serve in combat roles.
From the start, Jordan faces intense resistance and skepticism from her male peers and commanding officers. The training is brutal, pushing candidates to their physical and mental limits. Jordan refuses special treatment and insists on being held to the same standards as the men, enduring extreme hardship, abuse, and even sabotage from those who believe she doesn’t belong there.
Despite numerous setbacks, including isolation and a particularly cruel exercise known as “the SERE test” (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape), Jordan proves her resilience. Her refusal to quit begins to earn the respect of her fellow trainees, although the path remains difficult and full of challenges. Her journey is portrayed as both a physical trial and an emotional transformation, showing her evolution into a true leader.
As Jordan continues to defy expectations, political motives behind her recruitment are revealed. It becomes clear that she was initially used as a pawn in a larger political game, with some military and government figures hoping for her failure to justify excluding women from combat. Nevertheless, Jordan chooses to stay in the program and finishes her training, determined to succeed on her own merit.
The film concludes with Jordan successfully completing the rigorous training, symbolizing not just her personal victory but a broader statement about gender equality in the military. G.I. Jane ultimately challenges traditional views on gender roles and highlights the strength, endurance, and determination required to break barriers in institutions resistant to change.