The film follows the antics of Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko (played by Steve Martin), a cunning and scheming non-commissioned officer stationed at Fort Baxter in Kansas. Bilko is known for his ability to manipulate situations for his own benefit and his knack for running various illegal schemes within the military base.
Bilko’s main goal is to avoid work and make money through his various schemes, much to the frustration of Colonel John T. Hall (played by Dan Aykroyd), the no-nonsense commanding officer of Fort Baxter. Despite numerous attempts to catch Bilko in the act, Colonel Hall is always outwitted by Bilko’s cleverness.
The plot thickens when Major Thorn (played by Phil Hartman), a new and ambitious officer, arrives at Fort Baxter with plans to crack down on misconduct and tighten discipline. Major Thorn sees through Bilko’s schemes and vows to expose him and put an end to his antics once and for all.
As Major Thorn begins to uncover Bilko’s various illegal activities, including illegal gambling and fraudulent schemes, Bilko must come up with a plan to save himself and his fellow soldiers from getting caught. With the help of his loyal platoon and his quick wit, Bilko concocts a daring scheme to outsmart Major Thorn and save the day.
In the climax of the film, Bilko orchestrates a series of elaborate maneuvers to distract Major Thorn and ensure the success of his latest scheme. Despite Major Thorn’s best efforts to catch him in the act, Bilko manages to outsmart him once again and emerge victorious.
In the end, Bilko’s schemes are exposed, but he manages to avoid serious consequences and maintain his reputation as a lovable rogue. The film concludes with Bilko and his platoon celebrating their victory and looking forward to their next adventure.
“Sgt. Bilko” is praised for its light-hearted humor, witty dialogue, and charismatic performances, particularly by Steve Martin in the title role. While it received mixed reviews from critics, the film has since gained a cult following and is remembered fondly by fans of classic comedy.