Gomer's innocence, naivete and low-key demeanor is in juxa-position to city-life and city-folk while stationed at Camp Henderson near Los Angeles, California. His county-bumpkin style often gets him in trouble, most frequently at the hands of his loud-mouthed superior, Sgt. Vince Carter, played by actor Frank Sutton. Carter is a by-the-book Leatherneck who desires to meet the expectations of his superiors. With a recruit like Gomer though, Carter's attempts to mold him into a true Marine are often foiled, leaving Carter aggravated by almost everything Gomer does and says.

Duke, Frankie, Lester and Larry were some of Gomer's pals and fellow enlisted men at Camp Henderson, and Lou Anne Poovie (played by Elizabeth McRae) was his sometimes girlfriend who worked as a singer at the Blue Bird Cafe, where Gomer and the boys often hung out. Carter's love interest, Bunny, played by Barbara Stuart, is often Gomer's advocate with Sgt. Carter and helps Carter see the endearing side of Gomer.