Transcript (en)

A moment 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. Well, 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 Colonel I have just one more question before I call Airman O and Airman 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? Santiago was a substandard Marine. He was being transferred... That's 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... I recall what I said. I can have the court reporter read back to you. I know what I said. I don't have to have it read back to me like I'm... Why the two orders? Colonel? sometimes men take matters into their own hands no sir you made it clear just a moment ago that your men never take matters in their own hands your men follow orders or people die so santiago shouldn have been in any danger at all should he have colonel you snotty little bastard your honor i like to ask for a recess I like an answer to the question Judge The court will wait for an answer If Lieutenant Kendrick gave an order that Santiago wasn't to be touched, then why did he have to be transferred? Colonel, Lieutenant Kendrick ordered the code red, didn't he? Because that's what you told Lieutenant Kendrick to do. And when it went bad, you cut these guys loose! Your Honor, you had more than some sign of money! Your Honor! You doctored the logbook. Damn it, Captain! You coerced the doctor! Consider yourself in contempt. Colonel Jessup, did you order the Code Ray? You don't have to answer that question. I'll answer the question. You want answers? I think I'm entitled to it. 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 going to 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 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've used 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're goddamn right I did!