SGT J.T. Sanborn quotes from The Hurt Locker (2008)

SGT J.T. Sanborn

Are you within 100 meters of the IED?

Hell I don't know Sanborn, I'll tell you when I’m on top of it.

Aren't you glad the Army has all these tanks parked here? Just in case the Russians come and we have to have a big tank battle?

SGT J.T. Sanborn

I'd rather be on the side with the tanks, just in case, than not have them.

Yeah, but they don't do anything. I mean, anyone comes alongside a Humvee, we're dead. Anybody even looks at you funny, we're dead. Pretty much the bottom line is, if you're in Iraq, you're dead. How's a **** tank supposed to stop that?

SGT J.T. Sanborn

Would you shut the **** up, Owen?

Sorry. Just trying to scare the new guy.

SGT J.T. Sanborn

I'm not ready to die, James.

Well, you're not going to die out here, bro.

SGT J.T. Sanborn

Another two inches? Shrapnel zings by; slices my throat. I'll bleed out like a pig in the sand; nobody'll give a shit. I mean my parents? They'll care, but they don't count, man. Who else? I don't even have a son.

Well, you're gonna have plenty of time for that, amigo.

SGT J.T. Sanborn

No, man. I'm done. I want a son. I want a little boy, Will. I mean, how do you do it, you know? Take the risk?

I don't know. I guess I don't think about it.

SGT J.T. Sanborn

But you realize every time you suit up, every time we go out, it's life or death. You roll the dice, and you deal with it. You recognize that don't you?

Yeah... Yeah, I do. But I don't know why. [sighs] I don't know, J.T. You know why I'm that way?

SGT J.T. Sanborn

No, I don't.

Contractor Team Leader

This is the wrench man.

Hello wrench man.

SGT J.T. Sanborn

You know you can shoot people out here... You don't have to throw a wrench.

**** off!

SGT J.T. Sanborn

I can't get it in.

SGT Matt Thompson

What do you mean you can't get it in? Pretend it's your dick.

SGT J.T. Sanborn

How about I pretend it's your dick?

SGT Matt Thompson

Well in that case you'll never get it in.

SGT J.T. Sanborn

So you're a Ranger, huh?

Yeah.

SGT J.T. Sanborn

I spent seven years in intelligence before coming to EOD. We ran missions through the worst shitholes you can imagine. So, I'm pretty sure I can figure out a redneck piece of trailer trash like you.

Looks like you're on the track. See you out there, man.