Colonel, when you learned of Santiago's letter to the NIS, you had a meeting with your senior officers, is that right?
The Platoon Commander Lt. Jonathan Kendrick, and the executive officer, Lt. Colonel Matthew Markinson
And, at present, Colonel Markinson is dead, is that right?
Object! I would like to know exactly what the defense council is implying.
I'm implying simply that, at present, Colonel Markinson is not alive.
Surely, Colonel Jessep doesn't need to appear in court to confirm that information.
I just wasn't sure if the witness was aware that 2 nights ago Colonel Markinson took his own life with a .45-caliber pistol.
J Judge
The witness is aware, the court is aware, and now the court members are aware. We thank you for bringing this to our attention. Move on, Lieutenant.
Colonel, I have just one more question before I call Airman O'Malley 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 because--
That is not what you said, you said he was being transferred because he was in grave danger.
You said he was in danger, I said "grave danger?" You said "is there another kind?"--
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--!
Then why the two orders? Colonel?
Sometimes men take matters into their own hands.
No, Sir. You made it clear a moment ago that your men never take matters in to 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 snotty little bastard.
Your Honor, I'd like to ask for a recess!
I'd like an answer to the question, Judge.
J Judge
The court will wait for an answer.
If Lt. Kendrick gave an order that Santiago wasn't to be touched, then why did he have to be transferred? Colonel? Lt. Kendrick ordered the Code Red, didn't he, because that's what you told Lt. Kendrick to do!
And when it went bad, you cut these guys loose!
You got Markinson to sign a phony transfer order! You doctored the log books!
J Judge
Consider yourself in contempt!
Colonel Jessep, did you order the code red?!
J Judge
You don't have to answer that question!
I'll answer the question. You want answers?
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 I was sent to do--
Did you order the Code Red?!
You're god damn right I did!!
J Judge
The court members will retire to an anteroom until further instructed.
What is this? I did my job, I'd do it again. I'm gonna get in a plane and go back to my base.
J Judge
You're not going anywhere, Colonel. MP's, guard the Colonel.
Colonel Jessep, you have the right to remain silent--
What is this? I'm being charged with a crime? Is that what this is? I'm being charged with a crime?! This is funny. That's what this is. This is-- [leaps towards Kaffee, MP's restrain him] I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You **** with the wrong Marine!
Colonel Jessep, do you understand these rights as I have just read them to you?
You ****in' people. You have no idea how to defend a nation. All you did was weaken a country today, Kaffee. 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 an officer in the United States Navy. And you're under arrest, you son of a bitch. The witness is excused.
JR Judge Randolph
All Rise! Have the court members reached a verdict?
J Judge
[reading the verdict]
Lance Corporal Dawson, Private First Class Downey: On the charge of murder, the members find the accused not guilty. On the charge of conspiracy to commit murder, the members find the accused not guilty. On the charge of conduct unbecoming a United States Marine, the members find the accused guilty as charged. The accused are hereby sentenced to time already served, and you are ordered to be dishonorably discharged from the Marine Corps. This court martial is adjourned.
D Downey
What does that mean? Hal, what does that mean? I don't understand. Colonel Jessep said he ordered the code red.
D Downey
Colonel Jessep said he ordered the Code Red. What did we do wrong?
D Downey
What did we do wrong? We did nothing wrong!
H Hal
Yeah we did. We were supposed to fight for people who couldn't fight for themselves. We were supposed to fight for Willy.
