In New York City in 1943, Steve Rogers is rejected by a World War II military recruiter because of various health and physical problems. While attending an exhibition of future technologies with his best friend, James Barnes, Rogers again attempts to enlist with an alias. Overhearing Rogers' conversation with Barnes about wanting to help in the war, Dr. Abraham Erskine allows Rogers to enlist. He is recruited into the Strategic Scientific Reserve as part of a "super-soldier" experiment under Erskine, Colonel Chester Phillips, and British agent Peggy Carter. Phillips is unconvinced by Erskine's claims that Rogers is the right person for the procedure but relents after seeing Rogers jump on a grenade to save his comrades, unaware it's a test.
