JAG (1995–2005): Season 3, Episode 8 - Above and Beyond - full transcript
A SEAL team rescues a captive US diplomat from Hamas terrorists amid a fierce gunfight in Lebanon; the PotUS himself asks the SecNav to nominate a lieutenant, the OiC of the platoon, for the Medal of Honor. In Coronado, California, Harm, Mac, and Bud investigate the circumstances and the background; however, they have much trouble in learning anything -- because of the refusal of the lieutenant to talk about the incident due to his personal views and attitudes, and because of the refusal of his men to talk due to their perception of his behavior during the rescue. Eventually, though, Harm finds the pieces of the story and puts them together.
(whimpers)
MAN: Mr. Culbertson?
Mr. Culbertson.
(whimpers) Listen to me.
We'll give you one last chance
to save your worthless life.
(muffled grunts)
(over speaker):
Do you wish to die?
(Culbertson grunting)
We're going in
for a closer look.
He is no use to us. Finish it.
He wasted our time! (grunts)
Kill him now!
(yells)
(whimpering)
(yells)
Get on your feet!
On your feet!
(whimpering)
Who are you?
Navy SEALS.
You know how to use this?
I'm a diplomat.
Point and shoot.
Let's go.
(gunshot)
(groans)
Let's go. Let's go.
Let's go. Let's go.
(groans)
My leg!
Following in his
father's footsteps
as a naval aviator,
Lieutenant Commander
Harmon Rabb Jr.
Suffered a crash while
landing his Tomcat
on a storm-tossed
carrier at sea.
Diagnosed with night blindness,
Harm transferred to the Navy's
Judge Advocate General Corps
which investigates, defends
and prosecutes the law of the sea.
There, with fellow JAG
lawyer Major Sarah MacKenzie,
he now fights in and
out of the courtroom
with the same
daring and tenacity
that made him a
top gun in the air.
CHEGWIDDEN: Undersecretary
of State Lawrence Culberston
was rescued last night
from Hamas terrorists.
A Lieutenant Curtis Rivers,
Platoon Commander
for SEAL Team Seven
got Culbertson out
single-handedly.
MAN: Attention on deck.
As you were!
Leave it to the SEALs.
Worthy sentiment,
Commander, since they are
the most effective
strike force in the world.
RABB: Absolutely, Admiral.
Apparently the
President agrees with me.
He asked the
Secretary of the Navy
to nominate Lieutenant
Rivers for the Medal of Honor.
Must've been one
hell of a rescue, sir.
Mm-hmm!
Culbertson's the
President's point man
in the Middle East peace talks.
Rivers saved him
without regard for his
own personal safety
and accounted
for eight enemy casualties.
Anyway, SECNAV
wants JAG to determine
if Lieutenant Rivers is
actually entitled to the medal.
You want us to investigate
the incident?
Not just the incident,
Major.
The President wants assurance
there is nothing in
Lieutenant Rivers' past
that might cause
embarrassment.
To Lieutenant Rivers
or the President?
Lieutenant Rivers and
his men have returned
to the Naval Special
Warfare Center, Coronado.
You will find him
on instructor detail.
All of us to California?
Unless you have other plans.
No... sir.
Good.
I expect a full
and fair evaluation.
Ignore the politics.
And remember, you need testimony
from two eyewitnesses.
Dismissed.
Aye, aye, sir.
Oh...
and don't let the fact
that I'm a former SEAL
influence your decision.
Absolutely not, sir. No, sir.
We just got our orders, Harriet.
We leave in a few hours.
I know it wrecks our plans.
I'm going to miss you, too.
I can't wait to get back.
Really?
Uh, no.
It's just that I've heard
that stiletto heels can
be bad for your ankles.
I'll get right on that,
Captain Harwich.
I didn't know Bruce
Harwich wore stiletto heels.
Sir, did you know that
the first Navy SEAL
who won the Congressional Medal
of Honor was Senator Bob Kerrey?
Did you know that
you're beet red right now?
He wasn't a senator when
he received the medal.
He was a Lieutenant JG, sir.
Nice diversion, Bud.
Yeah, yeah, he lost a leg
leading a SEAL raid
against Vietcong snipers
but was still able to
direct a counterattack
which... which...
Yes, sir?
Will you get on the computer
and pull up everything you
can on Lieutenant Rivers?
Let's see who
we're dealing with.
Aye, aye, sir.
(tapping at keyboard)
CULBERTSON: I spoke with the
Secretary of the Navy personally
about Lieutenant Rivers.
So why is the Judge Advocate
General Corps involved in this?
RABB: This is
strictly routine, sir.
CULBERTSON: My guess is that...
(clears throat)
the SECNAV is
routinely covering his butt.
Well, we have no
knowledge of that, sir.
Hmm.
You folks believe in heroes?
Yes, sir.
I suppose so.
I never did.
When soldiers shoot
at each other, I...
well, that usually
means that I've failed.
But this man, this
Lieutenant Rivers...
he risked his
life to protect me.
He never hesitated.
He never doubted.
He just stood there,
in the line of fire,
shooting back...
and then he
carried me to safety.
He didn't even know me.
That's a true hero.
TRAINEES: Left, left.
Left, right, left.
INSTRUCTOR (in
cadence): beans and GI gravy!
TRAINEES (in cadence):
Navy beans and GI gravy!
INSTRUCTOR: Gee,
I'm glad I joined the Navy!
TRAINEES: Gee, I'm
glad I joined the Navy!
Two-sixteen, halt!
Look sharp!
Ditch your helmets!
Get on your covers! Hurry up!
Come on, move it!
Look sharp! Quickly!
Class, left face!
Log P.T.! Let's go! Let's go!
INSTRUCTOR: Go, go, go, go!
INSTRUCTOR 2:
Get 'em up, ladies!
Hurry up! Ready!
Begin!
Any of you little
kittens want to quit?
TRAINEES: Sir, no, sir!
I got cocoa and cookies
for anybody who wants
to cash in their chips
and ring the bell!
I got cake for the
officers! Anybody?
TRAINEES: No, sir!
What do you think this is
GI Jane? ALL: No, sir!
You want to stay and fight?
Hoo-rah, sir!
Let me hear you!
Hoo-rah, sir!
A SEAL must focus
on the mission...
Must accomplish his goal
regardless of his injuries...
The pain, the heat, the cold.
We're here to train your
minds as well as your bodies.
Your mind can teach
your body how to function.
Your strength's
not in your muscles.
It's in your brains!
In your brains!
Now why don't you get
your brains to get your legs
to do another five laps!
Let's go!
Move it!
Move it! Let's go!
Move it!
Move it!
Let's go! Hurry up!
Hurry up, ladies!
(trainees chanting)
Lieutenant Rivers.
I'm Lieutenant
Commander Rabb, JAG.
This is Major MacKenzie,
Lieutenant JG Roberts.
We'd like to talk to you.
Do I have to talk back, sir?
RABB: Bronze star
for heroism in Panama.
Freeing a CIA Operative
in a daring raid on the
Carcel Modelo Prison.
And a letter of instruction
for disrespect toward a
superior commissioned officer.
Nominated for the
Navy Cross for Bravery
in capturing an
Iraqi oil platform
in the Gulf during Desert Storm.
Denied the Cross
and issued a warning
for violating an order
on the same mission.
If a brother improvises...
Especially a brother
who's a mustang...
He gets written up.
If a white boy from the academy
does the exact same thing,
he's showing
"individual initiative."
A "brother"?
An African-American.
A black man.
A Negro.
Don't play the race
card with us, Lieutenant.
Let's get a couple of
things straight, Major.
One: I don't play.
And two:
I'm just stating the facts.
Speaking of facts, Lieutenant,
I didn't get much out of
your after-action report
on the mission in Lebanon.
The information
was sketchy at best.
Some write.
I fight.
Care to tell us what
happened that night?
I rescued an
Undersecretary of State.
(chuckles softly)
Any details?
I'll leave that up to
you, Commander.
Perhaps you
don't understand our assignment.
You want to make sure
I'm not an embarrassment.
The first thing the
two of you asked me
was about the dings
in my service record.
I know all about the
Navy and its lawyers.
You don't know
about us, Lieutenant.
And quite frankly, you're
not helping your cause any.
I don't have a cause, Commander.
I just do my job and
let you pencil pushers
do yours.
The Navy Cross won't
make me a better SEAL.
RABB: Lieutenant, you're
not up for the Navy Cross.
You've been nominated
for the Medal of Honor.
MACKENZIE: For
conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty.
What's the real reason?
The President believes
you've earned it.
RABB: Chief, we need
to debrief you about the night
Undersecretary
Culbertson was rescued.
I'll tell you what I know.
That would be refreshing.
Lieutenant Rivers not
much of a talker, ma'am?
Why don't you tell us
what happened that night.
Okay, uh...
We came ashore in two Zodiacs
and we left them
at the insert-extract point
and proceeded south to
an observational rally point
about 300 yards from
where the hostage
was being held.
Uh, we were there for recon.
A Ranger team was
tasked with the rescue,
and they were
due in ten minutes.
What happened to
change the mission, Chief?
Lieutenant Rivers believed
Culbertson was in
imminent danger.
The Rangers hadn't shown up yet
so the Lieutenant decided
to do a closer recon
on the building.
He took Douglas with him.
Douglas got hit.
The Lieutenant
went in on his own.
Is that standard procedure?
Well, there's nothing
standard about
the Lieutenant's
procedures, ma'am.
It's getting hot
out here, isn't it?
Why don't we go on inside?
My wife's making some lemonade.
RABB: Did you see Lieutenant
Rivers pull Culbertson out?
No, sir. We were taking
fire from the sentries.
They had my full attention.
We got company, honey!
WOMAN: Be right there.
Please.
Thanks.
So, what do you think
about what the
Lieutenant did, Chief?
He's the real-deal SEAL, sir.
So you admire him?
The Lieutenant is a
result-oriented person, ma'am.
Is that good or bad?
The men are often
challenged by his orders, sir.
Isn't that his job... to test you,
to keep you combat-ready?
The Lieutenant
likes to improvise.
Isn't that what SEALs are
trained to do... improvise?
No, ma'am.
No, you plan your dive,
and you dive your plan.
A year-and-a-half ago,
we lost our explosives man
in Angola.
It didn't have to happen.
Six months ago, during
downed pilot training in Nevada,
three members of
our team were injured
rappelling into a ravine.
You don't like the
Lieutenant, do you, Chief?
The Lieutenant and I
have never socialized.
Does that answer
your question, sir?
So how does it feel
to be taking orders
from an African-American, Chief?
Anybody thirsty?
I'm used to that, sir.
Commander Rabb,
Major MacKenzie,
this is my wife Sandra.
Hi.
Hello.
WILKINS: See, Commander,
I don't object to Lieutenant
Rivers because he's black.
I object to him because
he gets people killed.
Commander Rabb! Major MacKenzie.
Jon Barrow, Special
Assistant to the President.
It's good to meet you.
How's the investigation going?
Well, we don't have
enough information
to form an opinion yet, sir.
That's a politician's
answer, Commander.
BARROW: Is there a problem?
Not that we know of.
We just want to be thorough.
I support that. Lieutenant's
an African-American.
It's important he be
afforded fair treatment.
As should a man
of any color, sir.
Agreed, but keep in mind
in World War II, 433 Medals
of Honor were awarded,
but none to African-Americans.
Until the current
administration.
That's correct... 50
years after the fact.
RABB: Mr. Barrow,
you are not
suggesting we make up
for past discrimination
by awarding the Medal
to someone who hasn't
earned it, are you?
Commander... the
President believes
that awarding a
Medal to a minority
would promote national healing.
It would help bring us together.
For a good photo op.
(instructor and trainees
chanting cadence)
RABB: Mind if we
join you, Lieutenant?
Come for the meat loaf?
It's my favorite.
I've already told you everything
you need to know about me.
Okay. Let's talk
about the meat loaf.
Bet it's a hell of a lot better
than the MREs in Desert Storm.
You led the SEAL diversion
at Mina Saud, didn't you?
They came up in Zodiacs,
swam ashore,
laid C-4 down along the beach.
Hah, man, you must've
been close enough
to the Iraqis to smell 'em.
Yeah, one of them almost
stepped on my head.
They detonated the plastique...
First we planted
buoys in the water.
As if you were marking
the way for landing craft.
Right. When that C-4 went off
the Iraqis thought we were
doing an amphibious landing.
And then Stormin' Norman
took the troops and the
armor right over ground.
It was great.
(Rabb laughs)
So, it was all a feint?
Right. Just like
the three of you
pretending to love
my sea stories.
Just trying to make
conversation, Lieutenant.
You got something
to ask me, then ask it.
All right.
How do you get along
with Chief Wilkins?
That's between us.
Do you want this Medal, Rivers?
It's just a trinket.
You know, General Patton
once said he would sell his soul
for the Medal of Honor.
General Patton wasn't a SEAL.
We don't do
what we do for
the ribbons, ma'am.
Men die for their buddies.
Others die for their country.
And some die
for no reason at all.
But no one...
No one I know...
Ever died for a medal.
Excuse me.
(instructors shouting)
Let's go, ladies, up
and down, up and down!
Come on, hurry it up!
(whistle blows) Let's go!
Get up! Get up! Get up!
Up, up! Roll it!
Roll it!
Roll it, roll it, roll it!
(instructors hollering)
(whistle blows)
Back in the water!
Back in the water!
Back in the water! Let's go!
Let's go!
It'd be helpful if you...
moved once in a
while, Lieutenant.
What's going on?
That's Leonard Kress
from World Update magazine.
The Lieutenant is the subject
of a photo essay...
Kind of a day-in-the-life
diary of a battle hero.
Thing is, he's
not very animated.
I wouldn't ask him to smile.
We're not sure
those muscles work.
Hurry up! Come on,
hurry up, hurry up!
You're lazy! Getting lazy!
Out of the water!
Let's go! Let's go! Hurry up!
Come on, let's go, go, go, go!
Hurry up! Hurry up!
They got your sister, puke!
They're doing
nasty things to her!
You're the only one
that can save her! Save her!
Come on, save her!
Ah, this crab's
got a soft shell.
Throw him in the pot and
we'll have him for dinner.
Stevens! Don't do it!
RIVERS: Simon, get
back with your class!
He's no longer a
member of this class!
Catch up! Hurry up!
Get your legs in the air!
Get your legs in the air!
Well... that's not gonna play.
There were sentries
on the roof of the building
and I took a hit in the gut.
MACKENZIE: You
going to be all right?
I lost six feet of my large
intestines, ma'am, and
I'm going to have to wear a
bag and eat Cream of Wheat
for the rest of my life.
Petty Officer Douglas,
we are looking
for confirmation of
Lieutenant Rivers' actions
during the rescue.
I'm afraid I can't
help you, sir.
Why is that?
Because I-I didn't see
the Lieutenant's actions
other than he took out a guard
and-and entered the building
and then I got hit.
And, after that, I didn't
see anything else.
Next thing I know, Chief Wilkins
was bending over me in the boat.
How do you feel
about Lieutenant Rivers?
Lieutenant Rivers is the
leader of my team, sir.
Do you have an opinion
about whether he deserves
the Medal of Honor?
Well, as far as I'm concerned,
there were no heroes that night.
RABB: We're looking for
details, Petty Officer Hannah.
There are gaps in our
understanding of the events.
I'll do what I can, sir.
Did you witness
Lieutenant Rivers' rescue
of Undersecretary Culbertson?
No, sir. I did not.
I thought SEALs were
trained to be observant.
Yes, ma'am. We're
also trained to be smart.
Are you saying
Lieutenant Rivers wasn't smart?
I'm saying Lieutenant
Rivers was stupid.
In what way?
What happened that night?
Lieutenant Rivers
was listening to the kidnappers
through a parabolic mike.
We're going in
for a closer look.
Lieutenant, Rangers'll
be here in ten minutes.
The hostage will be dead
by then... we're going in.
Our mission is
recon, not rescue, sir.
I just changed our mission.
You got a problem with that?
That's affirmative, sir. We
are not prepared for rescue.
We're prepared if I
say we're prepared.
We got no plan, no backup...
This is my plan.
This is my backup.
Your plans get people killed.
What did you say?
With all due respect, sir,
I believe changing this
mission now is reckless...
Tell that to the man
inside that building
who's getting ready
to be executed.
We don't know that for sure!
Are you refusing
to obey my order?
No, sir.
Douglas.
Aye.
You and I are going up
to the building and recon.
The others will stay here
for cover and backup.
Move it out.
Roger.
HANNAH: By
attacking the building,
Lieutenant Rivers
revealed our presence.
He also endangered the hostage.
But if he believed
Culbertson was
about to be killed...
Culbertson was a
valuable hostage.
Why would they
suddenly kill him?
So, the Lieutenant
acted recklessly?
Yes, ma'am. That's what
I've been saying.
Thank you, Petty Officer.
You're welcome, sir.
As you were.
We trying to reward someone
for needlessly
endangering his men?
It's only one man's
testimony, Mac.
Yeah, but it's the only
testimony we've got.
(Rivers and other
instructors shouting)
What is your problem, mister?!
What is your problem?!
You make me sick!
You are the sorriest
bunch of pukes
I've ever had the misfortune
of having to train!
Why don't you go
join the Coast Guard?!
Not your typical
Medal-winning personality.
Lieutenant Rivers' Medal
is in serious jeopardy, Bud.
He may not only lose the Medal,
he could very well be facing
a charge of dereliction of duty.
(doorbell ringing)
Ambulance chasing?
Social call.
RABB: Well, I would
venture a guess, Lieutenant,
that you have
never been married.
If the Navy wanted
me to have a wife,
they'd have issued me one
with my dog tags and my seabag.
Being a wife of a
Navy SEAL is no picnic.
All the separations...
they don't know where you are.
Doesn't promote a
real close relationship.
I saw what it did to my parents.
I don't want no part of it.
My dad...
he loved the Navy.
Never made it above
the rank of seaman.
That's him in the middle:
Seaman Edgar Rivers.
Would've made
one hell of an officer.
Never made it out of the galley.
Did you know, in the entire
history of the United States Navy
there wasn't a black officer
till near the end
of World War II?
The Navy's making up for that.
Yeah, a little too
late for my father.
He lived and breathed
the Navy... till he died.
And he died in the brig,
busted in rank
and broken in spirit.
What was the offense?
Someone stole some money
out of the officers' wardroom.
They blamed my pop.
Court-martialed him.
He hanged himself in his cell.
I'm sorry.
Six months later, a
white bosun's mate
admitted to the crime,
after being busted
doing the same thing
on another ship.
A JAG officer
prosecuted my father.
Another one defended him.
Neither one of
them believed him.
Well, that explains why
you feel the way you do
about Navy lawyers.
I was just a
toddler at the time.
I don't really remember much.
But I did get to read the
letters that he wrote my mom
while he was in prison.
No bitterness.
Not one shred of
hate in the man.
Must've had a big heart.
He did.
Doesn't run in
the family, though.
That is so sweet.
Harriet?
What? I can't hear you.
It's Bud Roberts, Jr.
Let me call you later
when I get to the room.
I miss you.
Me, too.
Bye.
Mm. Machine?
Yeah.
Excuse me.
Could I get another pineapple?
Sure. Three in one night?
You surprise me, Bud.
I'm drowning my sorrows, ma'am.
Mm. You got it bad
Lieutenant.
Permission to
speak freely, ma'am?
Look at the black kettle
calling the pot the
same thing, hmm?
I am not lovesick, Bud.
You called the
Commander "Dalton."
I did not.
Yes, you did. Twice.
I can't believe he
didn't say anything.
I think he's just afraid
of losing you, ma'am.
You're leaving JAG,
aren't you, ma'am?
No one's offered
me anything yet, Bud.
What if they do?
Excuse me.
Where you going?
To do the thing.
I'd like to dedicate this
to the most important
woman in my life.
(music plays)
♪ I saw the light on the night
that I passed by her window ♪
♪ I saw the flickering
shadows of love on the blind ♪
♪ She ♪
♪ Was ♪
♪ My woman ♪
♪ As she deceived me ♪
♪ I watched and
went out of my mind ♪
♪ My, my, my ♪
♪ Delilah ♪
♪ Why, why, why ♪
♪ Delilah... ♪
You know, I would have...
I'd have thought
you were a cigar man.
I would be if they didn't
taste like goat patties.
(laughing)
I like them.
Goat patties.
Now, if they could
roll a bottle of Jack
in a tobacco leaf
it'd be a different story.
You know, my mother used to say
that stars were holes poked
in the black curtain of night.
It was God's way
of letting us know
he was still watching
us from the other side.
That's kind of nice.
Yeah.
I did most of my
killing at night.
Guess it didn't have
much influence, huh?
Lieutenant, I'm going
to be honest with you.
One of your men has accused you
of endangering the
team and the hostage
the night of the rescue.
He claims you
were out of control
and acted without discretion.
You must think you
got me drunk enough
to answer your questions, huh?
He blames the casualties
on your inadequate
leadership skills.
I'm giving you an opportunity
to defend yourself.
The truth shall not set us free.
If you actually believe that
then I pity you.
Look, it's going
to take a lot more
than cigars and
bourbon and your pity
to get anything out of me.
Oh, yeah?
What would it take?
You know the secret to
happiness, Commander?
Not yours, I don't.
Then I can't help you.
INSTRUCTOR: ♪ I don't
know, but I've been told ♪
TRAINEES: ♪ I don't
know, but I've been told ♪
♪ Eskimo women are mighty cold ♪
♪ Eskimo women
are mighty cold... ♪
RABB: Admiral, I can't
squeeze it out of him.
Without Lieutenant Rivers'
account of the events
I have to rely on the
testimony of his men.
Which is damning.
Yes, sir.
And if you had to
make a decision now?
I'd cancel medal considerations
and proceed with
an investigation
of misconduct in the field.
Look, Commander,
the SECNAV is getting
pressure from the White House.
He's expecting us
to give him some relief.
I understand that, sir.
We're feeling it here, too.
Well, there's got
to be another way in.
The Lieutenant
is a hard case, sir.
He has zero support.
With the exception
of Undersecretary Culbertson.
The man saved my life.
For God's sake, I'm sorry if
his men were put in danger
but correct me if I'm wrong...
Isn't it a dangerous job?
Damn straight.
So, what's the problem?
There seems to be some concern
about Lieutenant Rivers'
behavior in the field.
It's extremely rare
for a SEAL team
to publicly question
one of their own
especially their superior.
Are you saying that the
Lieutenant is not worthy?
His men have raised
serious questions.
Was the Lieutenant in control?
Was his attitude acceptable?
Was he correct in
changing the mission?
Yes, I would say... selfishly.
I understand how you feel, sir,
but if the Lieutenant is
to be awarded this medal
I need more than
just your gratitude.
For example?
You were the only
eyewitness to the rescue.
Can you remember
anything else about it?
Anything in particular?
Any details you
may have overlooked.
Um, what do you remember
about what went
on after the fire fight?
Well, after the Lieutenant
brought me out of the building
he hid me behind some rocks.
And then when he
came back, he just...
Wait a minute.
Came back from where?
I don't know.
I saw this, uh,
this big red flare
and then he reappeared
and he carried me out of there.
RABB: Did Lieutenant
Rivers send up a flare
after Culbertson's rescue?
Yes, sir. A red pop-up.
Thanks.
Why?
Well, that was to notify us
of Petty Officer
Douglas's position.
Douglas was down.
Yes, sir.
So the Lieutenant
took responsibility
for Douglas's safety as well.
With all due respect, ma'am,
he would not have
needed to be saved
if he hadn't been endangered.
You're a difficult
man to impress, Chief.
Sir, Petty Officer Douglas
was wounded... badly.
It was not a time
for enthusiasm.
For the moment,
put aside the fact
that Lieutenant Rivers changed
the mission and consider
the events of the
rescue. Can you do that?
Yes, sir. I can do that.
What is your opinion
now of what Rivers did?
You know the first rule
of a SEAL's team, sir?
Enlighten us, Chief.
Never leave your man.
What are you saying?
Douglas was by himself
when we got there.
The Lieutenant fired
the flare and then left.
RABB: With
Culbertson on his back.
Yeah, but he
abandoned his man, sir.
What if Lieutenant Rivers
stayed behind to help Douglas
and, as a result
undersecretary
Culbertson was killed?
That would be unfortunate.
But that rule exists
for the sake of
undersecretaries everywhere.
Our bond is what
makes SEALs successful.
So Lieutenant Rivers seriously
violated the SEAL code.
How the hell do you...?
MacKENZIE: Admiral?
I'm here.
We're running out of time.
What do you have?
RABB: Well, sir, apparently,
Rivers left Douglas alone
in the process of rescuing
undersecretary Culbertson.
Oh, this is bad news, Commander.
He did it to save
Culbertson's life, sir.
It doesn't matter, Major.
SEALs do what they do
because they can
rely on each other.
The team is everything.
You never leave your man.
So we've discovered, sir.
Sir, there's no
one left to talk to.
We've gotten everyone's story.
Not everyone's.
Your version of the
rescue, Lieutenant.
No evasions,
no games, no crap.
Just straight talk, huh?
Man to man.
I say what happened
and you two dedicated lawyers...
Seekers of the truth... Will
take my word for it, right?
Well, that depends
on what you tell us.
I figured as much.
Sit down, Lieutenant!
We're not done.
So, here's what we know so far.
You're an
irresponsible leader...
A Rambo who puts his
men's lives in danger.
Is there anything
else we should know?
If there is
you better tell us right now
because, frankly,
we are tired of asking.
Good. Maybe if you'll get
tired enough, you'll just go away.
After what happened
to your father
we understand how you feel
about lawyers.
You don't know anything
about me or what I do.
You don't have the
right to understand me.
Oh, I know you, Rivers.
You're a hard ass mustang
with a chip on your shoulder
using your father as an excuse.
"I can do anything I want
because Seaman Edgar Rivers
was persecuted."
Stop it! Back off, Lieutenant!
Do it!
Good thing you got your woman
to protect you there, Commander.
Anytime, anyplace, Rivers.
Oh, you stepping
up to the plate?
I can handle anything you got.
I got the last day of hell week.
Why don't you put on some
greens and come join the party?
What, so you can push me around?
You can handle anything I got.
All right. I'll go.
You tell me your story
and I'll be there.
Are you serious?
You make it through the
day, I'll give you my biography.
Deal.
Commander.
Hope you're ready for this.
RIVERS: Welcome to the last
phase of SEAL training, Commander.
You've been
captured by the enemy.
Your task is a simple one.
All you have to do is survive.
Lawyers.
(chuckles)
Something wrong?
That old night blindness
thing acting up again?
Huh?
That's what it indicates in
your service record, isn't it?
Crashed a Tomcat on
a carrier deck at night.
It's okay. Look at me!
Huh?
What's the name of
your Rio, buddy? Huh?
Was he a nice guy?
Was he your friend? Huh?
He liked you, didn't he?
He trusted you.
He had to.
He put his life in your hands.
Stupid sucker.
It's clear.
How do you like answering
the questions now?
Huh?
What do you think?
A lawyer with nothing to say.
(chuckles)
You want to take a shot
at me, Commander? Huh?
Lieutenant.
What?!
Take it easy.
You're supposed to test him
not break him.
Anything else?
Yeah. I'll get the corpsman.
You do that.
(grunts)
Do you know the secret
of happiness, Lieutenant?
You can defeat the pain, Curtis.
It's all in your mind!
Or would you rather
cash in your chips
and ring the bell?
Tell me everything.
What you've heard is right!
Stop stonewalling me!
I got nothing to add.
Make something up.
(panting)
Get out of here!
No, no, no, no. Let's go.
Come on, come on.
(both breathing heavily)
Tell me what happened.
Tell me what you heard.
You needlessly
endangered your men.
And you believe that?
Three of your team were injured.
Plus the hostage.
Anything else?
You broke the SEAL code.
You left your man.
Is it true?
I don't have to defend myself
to you, to them or to anyone.
The mission I took was to
save the Undersecretary of State.
I did that.
Why do your men resent you?
Resent me?
They hate my guts.
Why?
Because I operate instinctively,
regardless of their wishes.
They still follow you.
They have to.
I outrank 'em.
It's not because, uh...
They respect you.
You went back for Douglas.
Yeah.
You lit a flare so the others
would come and find him.
Did Douglas tell you that?
He was unconscious.
Is that what he said?
Wasn't he?
Whatever.
Why won't you speak on
your own behalf, Lieutenant?
'Cause all the
medals in the world
won't make you a better leader.
Commander.
What happened to you?
It's a long story.
How are you feeling?
About the same.
Depressed?
A little.
Bitter?
What do you mean, sir?
Well, are you angry?
Feel you got a raw deal?
Some, I suppose.
Is that why you lied to me?
Sir?
You weren't unconscious
during the rescue, were you?
(sighs)
You're a lousy liar,
Petty Officer Douglas.
Probably not enough practice.
Try the truth.
The truth?
The truth is he gets
nominated for a medal
and I get to be an invalid
for the rest of my life
'cause he couldn't wait.
You saw him pull Culbertson out.
You saw him kill the terrorists.
You saw him carry
Culbertson to safety, didn't you?
Yes, sir, I did.
So what?
Did Lieutenant
Rivers abandon you?
He came over there.
I told him to get
out of there...
Get the hostage
down to the beach.
He fired a flare to
mark my position
and when he saw our men
heading towards us, he left.
A minute later the
guys were there.
So he didn't abandon you.
No.
Maybe he deserves the medal.
I don't know,
but I wouldn't want to
serve with him again.
I mean, uh... not that I have...
need to worry about that.
Lieutenant Rivers
deserves the medal.
You deserve a little relief.
Let go of the anger.
Forgive the man so you
can get on with your life.
I won't forgive him...
but, um, I won't lie anymore.
What are you looking for, sir?
I'm looking for a
second eyewitness.
You got one.
Present arms!
(applauding)
Thank you.
Together on this day,
we offer a prayer for peace
and a tribute to
those who defend it.
Together on this
day, we say thank you
to those who step forward
to safeguard our security
and our ideals.
What better way to
express our gratitude
than by presenting
this country's highest
military decoration for valor.
Mr. Undersecretary...
Mr. President.
For his conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life
above and beyond
the call of duty
Lieutenant Curtis
Rivers, United States Navy
an American hero, is hereby
awarded the Medal of Honor.
Your nation thanks you.
And may God bless you.
Thank you, sir.
I would have followed
you anywhere.
MAN: Mr. Culbertson?
Mr. Culbertson.
(whimpers) Listen to me.
We'll give you one last chance
to save your worthless life.
(muffled grunts)
(over speaker):
Do you wish to die?
(Culbertson grunting)
We're going in
for a closer look.
He is no use to us. Finish it.
He wasted our time! (grunts)
Kill him now!
(yells)
(whimpering)
(yells)
Get on your feet!
On your feet!
(whimpering)
Who are you?
Navy SEALS.
You know how to use this?
I'm a diplomat.
Point and shoot.
Let's go.
(gunshot)
(groans)
Let's go. Let's go.
Let's go. Let's go.
(groans)
My leg!
Following in his
father's footsteps
as a naval aviator,
Lieutenant Commander
Harmon Rabb Jr.
Suffered a crash while
landing his Tomcat
on a storm-tossed
carrier at sea.
Diagnosed with night blindness,
Harm transferred to the Navy's
Judge Advocate General Corps
which investigates, defends
and prosecutes the law of the sea.
There, with fellow JAG
lawyer Major Sarah MacKenzie,
he now fights in and
out of the courtroom
with the same
daring and tenacity
that made him a
top gun in the air.
CHEGWIDDEN: Undersecretary
of State Lawrence Culberston
was rescued last night
from Hamas terrorists.
A Lieutenant Curtis Rivers,
Platoon Commander
for SEAL Team Seven
got Culbertson out
single-handedly.
MAN: Attention on deck.
As you were!
Leave it to the SEALs.
Worthy sentiment,
Commander, since they are
the most effective
strike force in the world.
RABB: Absolutely, Admiral.
Apparently the
President agrees with me.
He asked the
Secretary of the Navy
to nominate Lieutenant
Rivers for the Medal of Honor.
Must've been one
hell of a rescue, sir.
Mm-hmm!
Culbertson's the
President's point man
in the Middle East peace talks.
Rivers saved him
without regard for his
own personal safety
and accounted
for eight enemy casualties.
Anyway, SECNAV
wants JAG to determine
if Lieutenant Rivers is
actually entitled to the medal.
You want us to investigate
the incident?
Not just the incident,
Major.
The President wants assurance
there is nothing in
Lieutenant Rivers' past
that might cause
embarrassment.
To Lieutenant Rivers
or the President?
Lieutenant Rivers and
his men have returned
to the Naval Special
Warfare Center, Coronado.
You will find him
on instructor detail.
All of us to California?
Unless you have other plans.
No... sir.
Good.
I expect a full
and fair evaluation.
Ignore the politics.
And remember, you need testimony
from two eyewitnesses.
Dismissed.
Aye, aye, sir.
Oh...
and don't let the fact
that I'm a former SEAL
influence your decision.
Absolutely not, sir. No, sir.
We just got our orders, Harriet.
We leave in a few hours.
I know it wrecks our plans.
I'm going to miss you, too.
I can't wait to get back.
Really?
Uh, no.
It's just that I've heard
that stiletto heels can
be bad for your ankles.
I'll get right on that,
Captain Harwich.
I didn't know Bruce
Harwich wore stiletto heels.
Sir, did you know that
the first Navy SEAL
who won the Congressional Medal
of Honor was Senator Bob Kerrey?
Did you know that
you're beet red right now?
He wasn't a senator when
he received the medal.
He was a Lieutenant JG, sir.
Nice diversion, Bud.
Yeah, yeah, he lost a leg
leading a SEAL raid
against Vietcong snipers
but was still able to
direct a counterattack
which... which...
Yes, sir?
Will you get on the computer
and pull up everything you
can on Lieutenant Rivers?
Let's see who
we're dealing with.
Aye, aye, sir.
(tapping at keyboard)
CULBERTSON: I spoke with the
Secretary of the Navy personally
about Lieutenant Rivers.
So why is the Judge Advocate
General Corps involved in this?
RABB: This is
strictly routine, sir.
CULBERTSON: My guess is that...
(clears throat)
the SECNAV is
routinely covering his butt.
Well, we have no
knowledge of that, sir.
Hmm.
You folks believe in heroes?
Yes, sir.
I suppose so.
I never did.
When soldiers shoot
at each other, I...
well, that usually
means that I've failed.
But this man, this
Lieutenant Rivers...
he risked his
life to protect me.
He never hesitated.
He never doubted.
He just stood there,
in the line of fire,
shooting back...
and then he
carried me to safety.
He didn't even know me.
That's a true hero.
TRAINEES: Left, left.
Left, right, left.
INSTRUCTOR (in
cadence): beans and GI gravy!
TRAINEES (in cadence):
Navy beans and GI gravy!
INSTRUCTOR: Gee,
I'm glad I joined the Navy!
TRAINEES: Gee, I'm
glad I joined the Navy!
Two-sixteen, halt!
Look sharp!
Ditch your helmets!
Get on your covers! Hurry up!
Come on, move it!
Look sharp! Quickly!
Class, left face!
Log P.T.! Let's go! Let's go!
INSTRUCTOR: Go, go, go, go!
INSTRUCTOR 2:
Get 'em up, ladies!
Hurry up! Ready!
Begin!
Any of you little
kittens want to quit?
TRAINEES: Sir, no, sir!
I got cocoa and cookies
for anybody who wants
to cash in their chips
and ring the bell!
I got cake for the
officers! Anybody?
TRAINEES: No, sir!
What do you think this is
GI Jane? ALL: No, sir!
You want to stay and fight?
Hoo-rah, sir!
Let me hear you!
Hoo-rah, sir!
A SEAL must focus
on the mission...
Must accomplish his goal
regardless of his injuries...
The pain, the heat, the cold.
We're here to train your
minds as well as your bodies.
Your mind can teach
your body how to function.
Your strength's
not in your muscles.
It's in your brains!
In your brains!
Now why don't you get
your brains to get your legs
to do another five laps!
Let's go!
Move it!
Move it! Let's go!
Move it!
Move it!
Let's go! Hurry up!
Hurry up, ladies!
(trainees chanting)
Lieutenant Rivers.
I'm Lieutenant
Commander Rabb, JAG.
This is Major MacKenzie,
Lieutenant JG Roberts.
We'd like to talk to you.
Do I have to talk back, sir?
RABB: Bronze star
for heroism in Panama.
Freeing a CIA Operative
in a daring raid on the
Carcel Modelo Prison.
And a letter of instruction
for disrespect toward a
superior commissioned officer.
Nominated for the
Navy Cross for Bravery
in capturing an
Iraqi oil platform
in the Gulf during Desert Storm.
Denied the Cross
and issued a warning
for violating an order
on the same mission.
If a brother improvises...
Especially a brother
who's a mustang...
He gets written up.
If a white boy from the academy
does the exact same thing,
he's showing
"individual initiative."
A "brother"?
An African-American.
A black man.
A Negro.
Don't play the race
card with us, Lieutenant.
Let's get a couple of
things straight, Major.
One: I don't play.
And two:
I'm just stating the facts.
Speaking of facts, Lieutenant,
I didn't get much out of
your after-action report
on the mission in Lebanon.
The information
was sketchy at best.
Some write.
I fight.
Care to tell us what
happened that night?
I rescued an
Undersecretary of State.
(chuckles softly)
Any details?
I'll leave that up to
you, Commander.
Perhaps you
don't understand our assignment.
You want to make sure
I'm not an embarrassment.
The first thing the
two of you asked me
was about the dings
in my service record.
I know all about the
Navy and its lawyers.
You don't know
about us, Lieutenant.
And quite frankly, you're
not helping your cause any.
I don't have a cause, Commander.
I just do my job and
let you pencil pushers
do yours.
The Navy Cross won't
make me a better SEAL.
RABB: Lieutenant, you're
not up for the Navy Cross.
You've been nominated
for the Medal of Honor.
MACKENZIE: For
conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity above
and beyond the call of duty.
What's the real reason?
The President believes
you've earned it.
RABB: Chief, we need
to debrief you about the night
Undersecretary
Culbertson was rescued.
I'll tell you what I know.
That would be refreshing.
Lieutenant Rivers not
much of a talker, ma'am?
Why don't you tell us
what happened that night.
Okay, uh...
We came ashore in two Zodiacs
and we left them
at the insert-extract point
and proceeded south to
an observational rally point
about 300 yards from
where the hostage
was being held.
Uh, we were there for recon.
A Ranger team was
tasked with the rescue,
and they were
due in ten minutes.
What happened to
change the mission, Chief?
Lieutenant Rivers believed
Culbertson was in
imminent danger.
The Rangers hadn't shown up yet
so the Lieutenant decided
to do a closer recon
on the building.
He took Douglas with him.
Douglas got hit.
The Lieutenant
went in on his own.
Is that standard procedure?
Well, there's nothing
standard about
the Lieutenant's
procedures, ma'am.
It's getting hot
out here, isn't it?
Why don't we go on inside?
My wife's making some lemonade.
RABB: Did you see Lieutenant
Rivers pull Culbertson out?
No, sir. We were taking
fire from the sentries.
They had my full attention.
We got company, honey!
WOMAN: Be right there.
Please.
Thanks.
So, what do you think
about what the
Lieutenant did, Chief?
He's the real-deal SEAL, sir.
So you admire him?
The Lieutenant is a
result-oriented person, ma'am.
Is that good or bad?
The men are often
challenged by his orders, sir.
Isn't that his job... to test you,
to keep you combat-ready?
The Lieutenant
likes to improvise.
Isn't that what SEALs are
trained to do... improvise?
No, ma'am.
No, you plan your dive,
and you dive your plan.
A year-and-a-half ago,
we lost our explosives man
in Angola.
It didn't have to happen.
Six months ago, during
downed pilot training in Nevada,
three members of
our team were injured
rappelling into a ravine.
You don't like the
Lieutenant, do you, Chief?
The Lieutenant and I
have never socialized.
Does that answer
your question, sir?
So how does it feel
to be taking orders
from an African-American, Chief?
Anybody thirsty?
I'm used to that, sir.
Commander Rabb,
Major MacKenzie,
this is my wife Sandra.
Hi.
Hello.
WILKINS: See, Commander,
I don't object to Lieutenant
Rivers because he's black.
I object to him because
he gets people killed.
Commander Rabb! Major MacKenzie.
Jon Barrow, Special
Assistant to the President.
It's good to meet you.
How's the investigation going?
Well, we don't have
enough information
to form an opinion yet, sir.
That's a politician's
answer, Commander.
BARROW: Is there a problem?
Not that we know of.
We just want to be thorough.
I support that. Lieutenant's
an African-American.
It's important he be
afforded fair treatment.
As should a man
of any color, sir.
Agreed, but keep in mind
in World War II, 433 Medals
of Honor were awarded,
but none to African-Americans.
Until the current
administration.
That's correct... 50
years after the fact.
RABB: Mr. Barrow,
you are not
suggesting we make up
for past discrimination
by awarding the Medal
to someone who hasn't
earned it, are you?
Commander... the
President believes
that awarding a
Medal to a minority
would promote national healing.
It would help bring us together.
For a good photo op.
(instructor and trainees
chanting cadence)
RABB: Mind if we
join you, Lieutenant?
Come for the meat loaf?
It's my favorite.
I've already told you everything
you need to know about me.
Okay. Let's talk
about the meat loaf.
Bet it's a hell of a lot better
than the MREs in Desert Storm.
You led the SEAL diversion
at Mina Saud, didn't you?
They came up in Zodiacs,
swam ashore,
laid C-4 down along the beach.
Hah, man, you must've
been close enough
to the Iraqis to smell 'em.
Yeah, one of them almost
stepped on my head.
They detonated the plastique...
First we planted
buoys in the water.
As if you were marking
the way for landing craft.
Right. When that C-4 went off
the Iraqis thought we were
doing an amphibious landing.
And then Stormin' Norman
took the troops and the
armor right over ground.
It was great.
(Rabb laughs)
So, it was all a feint?
Right. Just like
the three of you
pretending to love
my sea stories.
Just trying to make
conversation, Lieutenant.
You got something
to ask me, then ask it.
All right.
How do you get along
with Chief Wilkins?
That's between us.
Do you want this Medal, Rivers?
It's just a trinket.
You know, General Patton
once said he would sell his soul
for the Medal of Honor.
General Patton wasn't a SEAL.
We don't do
what we do for
the ribbons, ma'am.
Men die for their buddies.
Others die for their country.
And some die
for no reason at all.
But no one...
No one I know...
Ever died for a medal.
Excuse me.
(instructors shouting)
Let's go, ladies, up
and down, up and down!
Come on, hurry it up!
(whistle blows) Let's go!
Get up! Get up! Get up!
Up, up! Roll it!
Roll it!
Roll it, roll it, roll it!
(instructors hollering)
(whistle blows)
Back in the water!
Back in the water!
Back in the water! Let's go!
Let's go!
It'd be helpful if you...
moved once in a
while, Lieutenant.
What's going on?
That's Leonard Kress
from World Update magazine.
The Lieutenant is the subject
of a photo essay...
Kind of a day-in-the-life
diary of a battle hero.
Thing is, he's
not very animated.
I wouldn't ask him to smile.
We're not sure
those muscles work.
Hurry up! Come on,
hurry up, hurry up!
You're lazy! Getting lazy!
Out of the water!
Let's go! Let's go! Hurry up!
Come on, let's go, go, go, go!
Hurry up! Hurry up!
They got your sister, puke!
They're doing
nasty things to her!
You're the only one
that can save her! Save her!
Come on, save her!
Ah, this crab's
got a soft shell.
Throw him in the pot and
we'll have him for dinner.
Stevens! Don't do it!
RIVERS: Simon, get
back with your class!
He's no longer a
member of this class!
Catch up! Hurry up!
Get your legs in the air!
Get your legs in the air!
Well... that's not gonna play.
There were sentries
on the roof of the building
and I took a hit in the gut.
MACKENZIE: You
going to be all right?
I lost six feet of my large
intestines, ma'am, and
I'm going to have to wear a
bag and eat Cream of Wheat
for the rest of my life.
Petty Officer Douglas,
we are looking
for confirmation of
Lieutenant Rivers' actions
during the rescue.
I'm afraid I can't
help you, sir.
Why is that?
Because I-I didn't see
the Lieutenant's actions
other than he took out a guard
and-and entered the building
and then I got hit.
And, after that, I didn't
see anything else.
Next thing I know, Chief Wilkins
was bending over me in the boat.
How do you feel
about Lieutenant Rivers?
Lieutenant Rivers is the
leader of my team, sir.
Do you have an opinion
about whether he deserves
the Medal of Honor?
Well, as far as I'm concerned,
there were no heroes that night.
RABB: We're looking for
details, Petty Officer Hannah.
There are gaps in our
understanding of the events.
I'll do what I can, sir.
Did you witness
Lieutenant Rivers' rescue
of Undersecretary Culbertson?
No, sir. I did not.
I thought SEALs were
trained to be observant.
Yes, ma'am. We're
also trained to be smart.
Are you saying
Lieutenant Rivers wasn't smart?
I'm saying Lieutenant
Rivers was stupid.
In what way?
What happened that night?
Lieutenant Rivers
was listening to the kidnappers
through a parabolic mike.
We're going in
for a closer look.
Lieutenant, Rangers'll
be here in ten minutes.
The hostage will be dead
by then... we're going in.
Our mission is
recon, not rescue, sir.
I just changed our mission.
You got a problem with that?
That's affirmative, sir. We
are not prepared for rescue.
We're prepared if I
say we're prepared.
We got no plan, no backup...
This is my plan.
This is my backup.
Your plans get people killed.
What did you say?
With all due respect, sir,
I believe changing this
mission now is reckless...
Tell that to the man
inside that building
who's getting ready
to be executed.
We don't know that for sure!
Are you refusing
to obey my order?
No, sir.
Douglas.
Aye.
You and I are going up
to the building and recon.
The others will stay here
for cover and backup.
Move it out.
Roger.
HANNAH: By
attacking the building,
Lieutenant Rivers
revealed our presence.
He also endangered the hostage.
But if he believed
Culbertson was
about to be killed...
Culbertson was a
valuable hostage.
Why would they
suddenly kill him?
So, the Lieutenant
acted recklessly?
Yes, ma'am. That's what
I've been saying.
Thank you, Petty Officer.
You're welcome, sir.
As you were.
We trying to reward someone
for needlessly
endangering his men?
It's only one man's
testimony, Mac.
Yeah, but it's the only
testimony we've got.
(Rivers and other
instructors shouting)
What is your problem, mister?!
What is your problem?!
You make me sick!
You are the sorriest
bunch of pukes
I've ever had the misfortune
of having to train!
Why don't you go
join the Coast Guard?!
Not your typical
Medal-winning personality.
Lieutenant Rivers' Medal
is in serious jeopardy, Bud.
He may not only lose the Medal,
he could very well be facing
a charge of dereliction of duty.
(doorbell ringing)
Ambulance chasing?
Social call.
RABB: Well, I would
venture a guess, Lieutenant,
that you have
never been married.
If the Navy wanted
me to have a wife,
they'd have issued me one
with my dog tags and my seabag.
Being a wife of a
Navy SEAL is no picnic.
All the separations...
they don't know where you are.
Doesn't promote a
real close relationship.
I saw what it did to my parents.
I don't want no part of it.
My dad...
he loved the Navy.
Never made it above
the rank of seaman.
That's him in the middle:
Seaman Edgar Rivers.
Would've made
one hell of an officer.
Never made it out of the galley.
Did you know, in the entire
history of the United States Navy
there wasn't a black officer
till near the end
of World War II?
The Navy's making up for that.
Yeah, a little too
late for my father.
He lived and breathed
the Navy... till he died.
And he died in the brig,
busted in rank
and broken in spirit.
What was the offense?
Someone stole some money
out of the officers' wardroom.
They blamed my pop.
Court-martialed him.
He hanged himself in his cell.
I'm sorry.
Six months later, a
white bosun's mate
admitted to the crime,
after being busted
doing the same thing
on another ship.
A JAG officer
prosecuted my father.
Another one defended him.
Neither one of
them believed him.
Well, that explains why
you feel the way you do
about Navy lawyers.
I was just a
toddler at the time.
I don't really remember much.
But I did get to read the
letters that he wrote my mom
while he was in prison.
No bitterness.
Not one shred of
hate in the man.
Must've had a big heart.
He did.
Doesn't run in
the family, though.
That is so sweet.
Harriet?
What? I can't hear you.
It's Bud Roberts, Jr.
Let me call you later
when I get to the room.
I miss you.
Me, too.
Bye.
Mm. Machine?
Yeah.
Excuse me.
Could I get another pineapple?
Sure. Three in one night?
You surprise me, Bud.
I'm drowning my sorrows, ma'am.
Mm. You got it bad
Lieutenant.
Permission to
speak freely, ma'am?
Look at the black kettle
calling the pot the
same thing, hmm?
I am not lovesick, Bud.
You called the
Commander "Dalton."
I did not.
Yes, you did. Twice.
I can't believe he
didn't say anything.
I think he's just afraid
of losing you, ma'am.
You're leaving JAG,
aren't you, ma'am?
No one's offered
me anything yet, Bud.
What if they do?
Excuse me.
Where you going?
To do the thing.
I'd like to dedicate this
to the most important
woman in my life.
(music plays)
♪ I saw the light on the night
that I passed by her window ♪
♪ I saw the flickering
shadows of love on the blind ♪
♪ She ♪
♪ Was ♪
♪ My woman ♪
♪ As she deceived me ♪
♪ I watched and
went out of my mind ♪
♪ My, my, my ♪
♪ Delilah ♪
♪ Why, why, why ♪
♪ Delilah... ♪
You know, I would have...
I'd have thought
you were a cigar man.
I would be if they didn't
taste like goat patties.
(laughing)
I like them.
Goat patties.
Now, if they could
roll a bottle of Jack
in a tobacco leaf
it'd be a different story.
You know, my mother used to say
that stars were holes poked
in the black curtain of night.
It was God's way
of letting us know
he was still watching
us from the other side.
That's kind of nice.
Yeah.
I did most of my
killing at night.
Guess it didn't have
much influence, huh?
Lieutenant, I'm going
to be honest with you.
One of your men has accused you
of endangering the
team and the hostage
the night of the rescue.
He claims you
were out of control
and acted without discretion.
You must think you
got me drunk enough
to answer your questions, huh?
He blames the casualties
on your inadequate
leadership skills.
I'm giving you an opportunity
to defend yourself.
The truth shall not set us free.
If you actually believe that
then I pity you.
Look, it's going
to take a lot more
than cigars and
bourbon and your pity
to get anything out of me.
Oh, yeah?
What would it take?
You know the secret to
happiness, Commander?
Not yours, I don't.
Then I can't help you.
INSTRUCTOR: ♪ I don't
know, but I've been told ♪
TRAINEES: ♪ I don't
know, but I've been told ♪
♪ Eskimo women are mighty cold ♪
♪ Eskimo women
are mighty cold... ♪
RABB: Admiral, I can't
squeeze it out of him.
Without Lieutenant Rivers'
account of the events
I have to rely on the
testimony of his men.
Which is damning.
Yes, sir.
And if you had to
make a decision now?
I'd cancel medal considerations
and proceed with
an investigation
of misconduct in the field.
Look, Commander,
the SECNAV is getting
pressure from the White House.
He's expecting us
to give him some relief.
I understand that, sir.
We're feeling it here, too.
Well, there's got
to be another way in.
The Lieutenant
is a hard case, sir.
He has zero support.
With the exception
of Undersecretary Culbertson.
The man saved my life.
For God's sake, I'm sorry if
his men were put in danger
but correct me if I'm wrong...
Isn't it a dangerous job?
Damn straight.
So, what's the problem?
There seems to be some concern
about Lieutenant Rivers'
behavior in the field.
It's extremely rare
for a SEAL team
to publicly question
one of their own
especially their superior.
Are you saying that the
Lieutenant is not worthy?
His men have raised
serious questions.
Was the Lieutenant in control?
Was his attitude acceptable?
Was he correct in
changing the mission?
Yes, I would say... selfishly.
I understand how you feel, sir,
but if the Lieutenant is
to be awarded this medal
I need more than
just your gratitude.
For example?
You were the only
eyewitness to the rescue.
Can you remember
anything else about it?
Anything in particular?
Any details you
may have overlooked.
Um, what do you remember
about what went
on after the fire fight?
Well, after the Lieutenant
brought me out of the building
he hid me behind some rocks.
And then when he
came back, he just...
Wait a minute.
Came back from where?
I don't know.
I saw this, uh,
this big red flare
and then he reappeared
and he carried me out of there.
RABB: Did Lieutenant
Rivers send up a flare
after Culbertson's rescue?
Yes, sir. A red pop-up.
Thanks.
Why?
Well, that was to notify us
of Petty Officer
Douglas's position.
Douglas was down.
Yes, sir.
So the Lieutenant
took responsibility
for Douglas's safety as well.
With all due respect, ma'am,
he would not have
needed to be saved
if he hadn't been endangered.
You're a difficult
man to impress, Chief.
Sir, Petty Officer Douglas
was wounded... badly.
It was not a time
for enthusiasm.
For the moment,
put aside the fact
that Lieutenant Rivers changed
the mission and consider
the events of the
rescue. Can you do that?
Yes, sir. I can do that.
What is your opinion
now of what Rivers did?
You know the first rule
of a SEAL's team, sir?
Enlighten us, Chief.
Never leave your man.
What are you saying?
Douglas was by himself
when we got there.
The Lieutenant fired
the flare and then left.
RABB: With
Culbertson on his back.
Yeah, but he
abandoned his man, sir.
What if Lieutenant Rivers
stayed behind to help Douglas
and, as a result
undersecretary
Culbertson was killed?
That would be unfortunate.
But that rule exists
for the sake of
undersecretaries everywhere.
Our bond is what
makes SEALs successful.
So Lieutenant Rivers seriously
violated the SEAL code.
How the hell do you...?
MacKENZIE: Admiral?
I'm here.
We're running out of time.
What do you have?
RABB: Well, sir, apparently,
Rivers left Douglas alone
in the process of rescuing
undersecretary Culbertson.
Oh, this is bad news, Commander.
He did it to save
Culbertson's life, sir.
It doesn't matter, Major.
SEALs do what they do
because they can
rely on each other.
The team is everything.
You never leave your man.
So we've discovered, sir.
Sir, there's no
one left to talk to.
We've gotten everyone's story.
Not everyone's.
Your version of the
rescue, Lieutenant.
No evasions,
no games, no crap.
Just straight talk, huh?
Man to man.
I say what happened
and you two dedicated lawyers...
Seekers of the truth... Will
take my word for it, right?
Well, that depends
on what you tell us.
I figured as much.
Sit down, Lieutenant!
We're not done.
So, here's what we know so far.
You're an
irresponsible leader...
A Rambo who puts his
men's lives in danger.
Is there anything
else we should know?
If there is
you better tell us right now
because, frankly,
we are tired of asking.
Good. Maybe if you'll get
tired enough, you'll just go away.
After what happened
to your father
we understand how you feel
about lawyers.
You don't know anything
about me or what I do.
You don't have the
right to understand me.
Oh, I know you, Rivers.
You're a hard ass mustang
with a chip on your shoulder
using your father as an excuse.
"I can do anything I want
because Seaman Edgar Rivers
was persecuted."
Stop it! Back off, Lieutenant!
Do it!
Good thing you got your woman
to protect you there, Commander.
Anytime, anyplace, Rivers.
Oh, you stepping
up to the plate?
I can handle anything you got.
I got the last day of hell week.
Why don't you put on some
greens and come join the party?
What, so you can push me around?
You can handle anything I got.
All right. I'll go.
You tell me your story
and I'll be there.
Are you serious?
You make it through the
day, I'll give you my biography.
Deal.
Commander.
Hope you're ready for this.
RIVERS: Welcome to the last
phase of SEAL training, Commander.
You've been
captured by the enemy.
Your task is a simple one.
All you have to do is survive.
Lawyers.
(chuckles)
Something wrong?
That old night blindness
thing acting up again?
Huh?
That's what it indicates in
your service record, isn't it?
Crashed a Tomcat on
a carrier deck at night.
It's okay. Look at me!
Huh?
What's the name of
your Rio, buddy? Huh?
Was he a nice guy?
Was he your friend? Huh?
He liked you, didn't he?
He trusted you.
He had to.
He put his life in your hands.
Stupid sucker.
It's clear.
How do you like answering
the questions now?
Huh?
What do you think?
A lawyer with nothing to say.
(chuckles)
You want to take a shot
at me, Commander? Huh?
Lieutenant.
What?!
Take it easy.
You're supposed to test him
not break him.
Anything else?
Yeah. I'll get the corpsman.
You do that.
(grunts)
Do you know the secret
of happiness, Lieutenant?
You can defeat the pain, Curtis.
It's all in your mind!
Or would you rather
cash in your chips
and ring the bell?
Tell me everything.
What you've heard is right!
Stop stonewalling me!
I got nothing to add.
Make something up.
(panting)
Get out of here!
No, no, no, no. Let's go.
Come on, come on.
(both breathing heavily)
Tell me what happened.
Tell me what you heard.
You needlessly
endangered your men.
And you believe that?
Three of your team were injured.
Plus the hostage.
Anything else?
You broke the SEAL code.
You left your man.
Is it true?
I don't have to defend myself
to you, to them or to anyone.
The mission I took was to
save the Undersecretary of State.
I did that.
Why do your men resent you?
Resent me?
They hate my guts.
Why?
Because I operate instinctively,
regardless of their wishes.
They still follow you.
They have to.
I outrank 'em.
It's not because, uh...
They respect you.
You went back for Douglas.
Yeah.
You lit a flare so the others
would come and find him.
Did Douglas tell you that?
He was unconscious.
Is that what he said?
Wasn't he?
Whatever.
Why won't you speak on
your own behalf, Lieutenant?
'Cause all the
medals in the world
won't make you a better leader.
Commander.
What happened to you?
It's a long story.
How are you feeling?
About the same.
Depressed?
A little.
Bitter?
What do you mean, sir?
Well, are you angry?
Feel you got a raw deal?
Some, I suppose.
Is that why you lied to me?
Sir?
You weren't unconscious
during the rescue, were you?
(sighs)
You're a lousy liar,
Petty Officer Douglas.
Probably not enough practice.
Try the truth.
The truth?
The truth is he gets
nominated for a medal
and I get to be an invalid
for the rest of my life
'cause he couldn't wait.
You saw him pull Culbertson out.
You saw him kill the terrorists.
You saw him carry
Culbertson to safety, didn't you?
Yes, sir, I did.
So what?
Did Lieutenant
Rivers abandon you?
He came over there.
I told him to get
out of there...
Get the hostage
down to the beach.
He fired a flare to
mark my position
and when he saw our men
heading towards us, he left.
A minute later the
guys were there.
So he didn't abandon you.
No.
Maybe he deserves the medal.
I don't know,
but I wouldn't want to
serve with him again.
I mean, uh... not that I have...
need to worry about that.
Lieutenant Rivers
deserves the medal.
You deserve a little relief.
Let go of the anger.
Forgive the man so you
can get on with your life.
I won't forgive him...
but, um, I won't lie anymore.
What are you looking for, sir?
I'm looking for a
second eyewitness.
You got one.
Present arms!
(applauding)
Thank you.
Together on this day,
we offer a prayer for peace
and a tribute to
those who defend it.
Together on this
day, we say thank you
to those who step forward
to safeguard our security
and our ideals.
What better way to
express our gratitude
than by presenting
this country's highest
military decoration for valor.
Mr. Undersecretary...
Mr. President.
For his conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity
at the risk of his life
above and beyond
the call of duty
Lieutenant Curtis
Rivers, United States Navy
an American hero, is hereby
awarded the Medal of Honor.
Your nation thanks you.
And may God bless you.
Thank you, sir.
I would have followed
you anywhere.