[0:00]ago you said that you ordered Lieutenant Kendrick to tell his men that Santiago wasn't to be touched. That's right. And Lieutenant Kendrick was clear on what you wanted? Crystal. Any chance Lieutenant Kendrick ignored the order? Ignored the order? Any chance he forgot about it? No. Any chance Lieutenant Kendrick left your office and said, the old man is wrong. No. When Lieutenant Kendrick spoke to the platoon and ordered them not to touch Santiago.Any chance they ignored him? You ever served in an infantry unit, son? No, sir. Ever served in a forward area? No, sir. Ever put your life in another man's hands? Asked him to put his life in yours? No, sir. We follow orders, son. We follow orders or people die. It's that simple. Are we clear? Yes, sir. Are we clear? Crystal. Your Honor, I just one more question before I call Amen O'Mally and Amen Rodriguez. If you gave an order that Santiago wasn't to be touched, and your orders are always followed, then why would Santiago be in danger? Why would it be necessary to transfer him off the base?
[1:33]Santiago was a sub-standard Marine. He was being transferred. Not what you said. You said he was being transferred because he was in grave danger, that's correct. You said he was in danger. I said grave danger. You said is there any other I recall what I said. I don't have to have it read back to me like I'm Why two orders, Colonel?
[1:57]Sometimes men take matters into their own hands. You made it clear to me, sir, that your men never take matters into their own hands. Your men follow orders or people die. So Santiago shouldn't have been in any danger at all, should he have, Colonel? You son of a bitch. I'd like to ask for a recess. I'd like an answer to the question, Judge. The court will wait for an answer. If Lieutenant Kendrick gave him an order that Santiago wasn't to be touched, then why'd he have to be transferred? Colonel? Lieutenant Kendrick ordered the Code Red because that's what you told Lieutenant Kendrick to do. Objection! You want these guys loose? Your Honor, you mocked inside the ball trail. Your Honor, you doctored the logbook. Damn you, Kaffee! You have court-martial! Consider yourself in contempt. Colonel Jessup, did you order the Code Red? You don't have to answer that question. I'll answer the question. You want answers? I think I'm entitled to him. You want answers? I want the truth! You can't handle the truth. Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide. And then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to. Did you order the Code Red? I did the job. Did you order the Code Red? You got damn right I did!
[4:26]Please, the court. I suggest the members be dismissed, so that we can move to an immediate Article 39A session. The witness has rights. Captain Ross?
[4:48]Members of the court will retire to an anti-room until further instructed. All rise. What the hell is this, Colonel? Colonel, what's going on? I did my job. I do it again. I'm going to get on a plane and go on back to my base. You're not going anywhere, Colonel. MP's guard the Colonel. Yes, sir.
[5:11]Captain Ross, what the hell is this? You have a right to remain silent. Anything you say, Colonel, can and will be used against you in a court-martial. I'm being charged with a crime. You have the right to consult with the lawyer prior to any further questions. This is funny. This is what this is. And if you cannot afford one, you will be appointed by the police. I'm going to rip the eyes out of your head and piss down your dead skull. You fucked with the wrong marine. Colonel Jessup, do you understand these rights as I've just read them to you?
[5:45]Fucking pig. You have no idea how to defend a nation. All you did today, Kaffee, was weaken a country. That's all you did. You put people's lives in danger. Sweet dreams, son. Don't call me "son." I'm a lawyer and a naval officer.
[6:08]And you're a scum bag.
[6:15]The witness is dismissed.
