JAG s01e16 Episode Script

Because of your God-given abilities, you have the unique opportunity to become Marine Corps snipers.
In today's warfare where nearly 200,000 rounds are fired for each enemy kill.
A Marine Corps scout sniper average is 1.
3 rounds per kill.
If you follow carefully the instructions I give you you will live a long and happy life.
But screw one thing up in even the slightest way, and you will go home in a body bag.
At ease on the firing line! - Welcome to the range, Colonel.
- Thank you, Gunnery Sergeant.
At ease.
You're a lucky man, Crockett.
- Yes, sir.
- Bosnia.
- Best duty a U.
S.
Marine could hope for.
- I don't understand.
I only wish I was going with you.
Sir, if you'll permit me, I think a mistake has been made.
You ship out tomorrow at 0600.
Destination Tuzla air base.
But my boys need me, sir.
Peacekeepers in Bosnia need you more, Gunny.
Sir! If you'll permit me, I made a deal with Colonel Garcia.
- Lf I could just explain - Get his replacement out here ASAP.
Trevino, front and centre! Inspection! One round in the magazine, Gunnery Sergeant.
What's your zero, Trevino? Eight hundred metres with 2.
5 right cranked in for wind.
What's the trajectory for say 1,000 metres? Five metres.
Too much for a decent shot, Gunny.
Wrong, Trevino.
If you can see it, you can hit it.
Gunny! Just like I said, boys.
Objectify your target.
Fire between the heartbeats.
All right.
Move out.
All right, guys.
There were a total of 18 shots that night.
Sunrise, we found 18 dead NVA.
All around my position.
- All killed with single shots.
- All killed by one sniper? When we got back to base, we heard that marine recon had a man up the trees, a Lance Corporal Ray Crockett.
And now he's a Gunnery Sergeant taking pot-shots at full bird colonels? I tracked him down in Saigon.
Wouldn't even let me buy him a drink.
- Didn't want to dull his senses.
- Snipers can be pretty hardcore.
It's called over the edge.
Sir, if Ray Crockett took a shot at Colonel Gordon, it'll be hard to avoid a general court martial, Admiral.
Fair investigation first.
That's all I ask.
When the press gets hold of this See that they don't.
The man saved my life, damn it.
- Do what you can to save his.
- Understood, sir.
I'm on my way.
Perhaps I should accompany Commander Rabb to Quantico, sir.
He can handle this on his own.
Yes, sir.
A fine move by JAG getting the jump on this, Commander.
The sooner you're done with Crockett, the better for troop morale.
Done, sir? What exactly are the penalties for attempted murder of a superior officer, Commander? UCMJ gives the court pretty wide latitude, Colonel.
Anything from a dishonourable to 20 years confinement.
- What about a firing squad? - It would have to be a capital offence.
One of you would have to be dead, sir.
You understand that Admiral Chegwidden wants this matter contained.
This isn't the Navy, Commander.
We marines clean our own house and let the media bottom-feed off crap like Tailhook.
I just want the full force of justice brought to bear on Gunnery Sergeant Crockett.
We're prepared for an article 32 Prelim to a general court martial.
Following the investigation of all the pertinent facts.
You want a pertinent fact? Crockett scoped me with a rifle and pulled the trigger.
Is that pertinent enough for you, mister? Yes, sir.
Good hands.
Yes, sir.
- You just have to know how to wait, sir.
- I'm Lieutenant Commander Rabb.
Admiral Chegwidden sent me to see you.
- He says he still owes you one.
- Yes, sir.
If you say so, sir.
As you were, Gunnery Sergeant.
He was just a young lieutenant at the time.
He tells quite a story about a night on the Thanh Hoa river back in Nam.
He says you saved his life.
I saved a lot of young lieutenants' lives.
The Admiral's name doesn't ring any bells.
I've been assigned to represent you during your article 32 Investigation.
Grease the wheels where I can.
I don't need any help, sir.
I'm holding the high ground.
Man who holds the high ground usually calls the shots.
- It'd be kind of hard from in here.
- Maybe so.
But I'm going to make the Marine Corps live up to our deal.
See, sir, I just need three more years.
I can retire with everything I need.
I just have to stay here at Quantico, sir.
No more combat assignments.
That's my deal.
Agreed to by both Colonel Garcia and Colonel Ainesworth.
- You explained this to Colonel Gordon? - I've tried, sir.
He wouldn't listen.
So I had to get his attention.
Attempting to kill a man is a hell of a way to get his attention.
- I don't kill people anymore, sir.
- But that's what snipers do, Gunny.
That's what you've been training your men for.
Nobody trains you for what happens when you kill a man.
My last kill, that boy went straight up in the air arms and legs thrashing blood spewing around like something beyond human.
- Sounds pretty ugly.
- They're all ugly.
Colonel Garcia said I'd be valuable here, teaching the troops how to stay alive.
You see, I know things, sir.
For instance, I know you're either a cross-dressing weirdo or you work real close with a woman.
Perfume.
Lilacs.
French, I'd say.
Chanel.
You're out in the woods, you don't need to see a target.
You can smell it.
Like I said, I know things, sir.
- You know you're facing a court martial? - I wouldn't count on it, sir.
How'd it go? Gunnery Sergeant Crockett's a pretty interesting guy.
Well, you couldn't prove it by this.
What's not deleted is encrypted.
- Why would they do this? - It's called morality, Pentagon style.
John Wayne was never a bushwhacker.
But I don't understand.
You seemed so eager to go down there and take the bull by the horns.
I was.
I am.
I just have a feeling I'm about to be gored by the bull.
How am I supposed to defend or even investigate a man who is an official Marine Corps enigma? If you can't handle the case, I'll be happy to send down someone more qualified.
I can handle the case.
It would just be nice to have a little help getting some background on Gunnery Sergeant Crockett.
Excuse me, Commander? But did I just hear the "H" word? - What? - Help.
- It sounds like you're asking for my help.
- I didn't say that.
Perhaps you should.
Yes, ma'am, perhaps I should.
I would appreciate any help that you could provide.
I'll do what I can.
And, Commander, you'll owe me.
Colonel Gordon had a dozen men at my door at 0600 to give statements against Sergeant Crockett.
He has a way of getting what he wants.
Where is everybody? There was a guard here before.
My God.
Harm, look.
Crockett.
No.
Damn it! It's Crockett, ma'am.
Get the hell out of the way, Commander.
The armoury's been penetrated.
I got weapons missing.
Gunnery Sergeant Crockett's escaped, sir.
- Call the provost Marshall.
Lock it down.
- Yes, sir.
I don't want Crockett getting off this base.
Looks like your JAG investigation is over, Commander.
- They'll never spot him from the air, sir.
- Like hell they won't.
The Lieutenant has a point, sir.
A sniper in a Ghillie suit can't be seen from five feet away.
UAS Tact four infrared, Commander.
If Crocket's above room temperature, we'll find him.
- And then what? - Then we go down and get him.
My regrets to Admiral Chegwidden.
But under the circumstances, I think he'll understand.
JAG still has an interest in this matter.
Your matter has just escaped the brig, stolen government weapons and headed for the hills.
Now, that brig, those weapons, those hills and the men in them are my interests.
So why don't you and the lovely lieutenant go have your nice uniforms pressed while my men conduct the business of the United States Marine Corps.
Lieutenant.
- Lovely lieutenant? - I think he likes you.
That should have cleared the deer out of the valley.
Now we can make an infrared pass.
Here's his room, Meg.
Gunnery Sergeant Ray Crockett.
You really think we'll find something in here - to bring Crockett out of the woods? - No.
But at this point, the more we know about him the better our chances of keeping him alive.
Suppose I told you he was a tennis player? - Right.
- No.
Check it out, sir.
Wimbledon.
That's the Marine Corps Wimbledon Cup.
It goes to the best long-distance rifleman in the service.
He won it six years in a row.
Terrific.
If he digs in with Gordon going after him we won't just have legal action, we'll have dead marines.
Perhaps this can help prevent that.
- Commander.
- As you were.
We didn't expect to see you here.
I informed Commander Krennick we were having trouble getting a background on Crockett.
Actually, he used the "H" word.
- The "H" word, ma'am? - Help.
I brought these just in case you ever get your hands on Crockett again.
His entire service record book.
Non-redacted.
- It's Crockett's kill book.
- Kill book? Yeah.
Combat snipers usually keep a record of each and every assignment.
Targets, assessments, results.
A hundred and sixty-three entries.
Imagine one person killing 163 men.
Yeah, well, it's real easy to imagine if you've ever fired a Tomahawk missile in combat.
I'd like a billet in BOQ.
Yes, ma'am.
I'll check with Colonel Gordon's office.
I want this mess wrapped up before the weekend.
- That doesn't leave me much time.
- I've planned an officers' retreat at Admiral Chegwidden's beach house on Hilton Head.
I expect you to attend.
I may have to send my regrets to the Admiral.
Actually, the Admiral won't be there.
Just you and me.
My chopper got an infrared fix on Crockett.
They found him? Dug into an oak grove halfway up the mountains.
- Sir, that's not the high ground.
- It's high enough.
Made damn good time for a man his age.
- But I told you we'd spot him.
- What are they going to do, sir? Their orders are to bring him back one way or another.
- I'm going with them.
- The hell you are! Sir, either I'm on that chopper or I'll charge you with interfering in a JAG investigation.
- That'll never fly.
- Probably not, Colonel, but we all know that JAG charges, regardless of outcome, frequently have a chilling effect on career advancement.
So why not let Commander Rabb have his little helicopter ride, sir.
You guys ready? We will be.
Where's your weapon, Commander? The last thing we should do is make a show of firepower.
I forgot.
You're a lawyer.
He's going to talk Crockett out of the woods.
There he is.
I've got an infrared signature.
I'll set you down in that clearing.
Ready to drop! Bang.
Bang.
Palmer.
Pavin.
Move out.
Trevino.
Floyd.
Flank them.
- I think I should stay here.
- Understood, sir.
The Navy stands off-shore while the marines hit the beach.
Freeze! Drop your weapon! Drop it! It's all over, Gunny! It's a wild boar.
But it's staked out, Lieutenant.
Who did this? Who the hell do you think? Sorry, boys.
You're on my turf now.
MCRDC Flight Control.
Do you copy? Flight Control.
Ident.
This is Gunnery Sergeant Ray Crockett.
Advise Colonel Gordon to send his chopper back out here and tell him to bring body bags.
Crockett got the drop on us, sir.
He said, "Tell the Colonel I want my deal.
" Then he took our gear and disappeared into the bush.
- One man did this? - He's good, Colonel.
- Where's Commander Rabb? - He dropped off our patrol, ma'am.
Did a Lone Ranger.
I don't think much of his chances.
- You don't know the Commander.
- You don't know the Gunny.
Move out! I ain't gonna sucker for that one, Commander.
Come on! Move them, Hogan! Move them! Austin, fall out! Yes, sir! Stand down, Lieutenant, you're not going anywhere.
- My partner is out there, sir.
- This is a live fire exercise, Lieutenant.
There are no time-outs.
It's not a place for a non-combatant.
A JAG officer goes where her cases take her, sir! I hope that the JAG officer knows how to cover her back because she is on her own! Get up there! Move! It's okay, Gunny, I'm alone.
If that had been a mine instead of a flare you'd be dead, Commander.
I appreciate your restraint.
I thought I thought JAG was full of puffballs but you got some gung-ho in you.
How'd you find my hide? Part of a misspent youth in Laos with a guy named Striker.
Not Colonel Francis Striker? - Only his mother called him Francis.
- You're yanking my wire.
Striker and I humped our way through Indian country back in '71.
You were patrolling the Cade river.
You're too young to know about the Cade river.
- Or Striker.
- My father was MIA.
When I was 16, I went looking for him with Striker.
Sixteen? Throw down the Kabar, Commander.
Stand up! Turn around.
Put your hands on your head.
Walk backwards.
You and your spotter had a company-sized element of NVA pinned down near the Cade.
It was early April.
You took out an NVA officer with your first shot.
You had three confirmed hits that day, four probables.
The only reason you bailed, your spotter came down with dysentery.
You carried him on your back, That's classified information.
Nobody's supposed to know about that.
It's in your kill book.
You're the best the marines ever had.
I don't want to let them forget it.
The truth is, I never liked the job.
I just got good at it.
You know we have to go back.
Not until I get my deal.
Hear them? - At least two of them.
- Three, more than likely.
The Colonel's a good line officer.
He knows the drill.
The trouble is, he forgets.
I wrote most of it.
We're getting way too many weapons in the field, Gunny.
You know better than anyone this can't have a happy ending.
I think it's time to change your makeup, Commander.
Let's go.
Let's go! To the trees! Tango leader to tango one.
Comm check.
One.
- Tango two.
- Two.
What now? Now we see if the Navy knows how to do anything besides eat fancy.
You're the spotter.
Dead ahead, say about 1,000 metres between 10 and two, that's our target.
How do you know? I told you.
I know things.
It's what's kept me alive.
- Like Beirut in '83? - You read about that, too huh? That was lousy duty.
But that Shiite sniper I faced was maybe the best I ever duelled.
Every day around lunch time, he's set up in a bombed out building just like he was running a falafel stand.
He'd just squeeze off a few shots at the marines guarding the airport and then he'd pull back for lunch time the next day.
'Cause of the open ground, I couldn't work in close enough with my regular smoke pole.
Get off a reliable shot.
- You never heard of a mortar? - No.
There was too many civilians in the area.
I needed reach and reliability.
So I had the company armourer rig me up a Browning.
50.
Took me near a week to get that shot.
Afterwards, the spotter paced it off.
He said it was 2,500 metres.
A mile and a half? The Browning's a fine weapon.
You find it yet, Commander? Well, you tell me.
It's between 1:00 and 2:00 left of the fallen tree trunk.
Looks like a boot heel.
Very good, Commander.
- You got good eyes.
- Yeah.
Except for night carrier landings.
Can't work in close to get an angle on them.
They'd peg us for sure.
So we call it a draw? No such thing as a draw, Commander.
Bees! Bees! Bees! - Leader to one.
- Bees! One.
This is leader.
- Leader to two.
- Two.
Two.
We lost Comm with one.
What's your sitrep? No joy.
No more.
Well, like the song says, you go your way, I'll go mine.
I can't convince you to come back with me? No way.
Not till I get my deal.
Let's go, Marine.
We're walking out of here.
- You double-dealing son of a bitch.
- I'm trying to save your life.
You read about me so you think you know but you don't.
Most men don't have what it takes.
Look another man in the eye and pull the trigger.
You got the high ground now.
Take your shot.
One shot.
One kill.
How far do you want to take this? Don't ever let me see you in my scope, Commander.
- Morning, Colonel.
- Commander Rabb.
To what do I owe the honour of your company this fine morning? I was hoping we might discuss Gunnery Sergeant Crockett, sir.
The Colonel is aware that Gunny is the genuine article? He's genuine, all right.
Genuine homicidal burnout, no longer fit for duty.
On the contrary, sir, I think he demonstrated what a good marine sniper can do in the face of overwhelming odds.
If that's your idea of humour, mister, you're flirting with insubordination.
With all due respect, sir, I'm merely stating the facts.
For 27 years, the Corps asked Gunnery Sergeant Crockett to put his soul in storage and perform a duty which few men are capable of.
I submit it's time to give Crockett the space his soul needs to find some peace, sir.
If the Colonel is trying to run me in the ground, it won't work, sir.
Neither will playing on my sympathies, Commander.
Your client is a danger to himself and others.
He deserves to spend the rest of his life in the brig.
The Colonel may find this interesting reading.
It's Crockett's kill book, sir.
The intimate details of 163 confirmed kills.
I know what the Gunnery Sergeant is, Commander.
Yes, sir.
But you don't know who he is.
As the Colonel will see, Crockett's book is full.
There are no empty pages, sir.
We're contacting Colonel Ainesworth and Colonel Garcia.
You really believe in your client, don't you, Commander? Yes, sir.
I do.
Good.
'Cause I don't.
Since Colonel Gordon is so hard-headed we'll just have to talk some sense into the Gunny.
I spent time with the man, Meg, up close and personal.
I'm afraid the only retreat Crockett understands is the lowering of colours at sunset.
How can I help you, sir, ma'am? Lieutenant Commander Rabb and Lieutenant J.
G.
Austin - to see Gunnery Sergeant Crockett.
- Sorry, Commander.
Prisoner Crockett has requested no visitors, sir.
We're not visitors, Staff Sergeant Davies.
We're JAG, the Gunny's our client.
Yes, ma'am.
Prisoner Crockett has specifically listed your names as people he declines to see, sir.
- Will that be all, sir? - As you were, Staff Sergeant.
Aye, aye, sir.
What do you do when you're trapped between an immovable object and an irresistible force? Drop and cover, sir.
Lieutenant Commander Rabb and Lieutenant J.
G.
Austin - reporting as ordered, sir.
- Stand at ease.
- Ma'am.
- Ma'am.
Colonel Gordon and I were just discussing your case.
In lieu of a general court martial Commander Krennick has convinced me of the wisdom of having Crockett submit to a 706 sanity evaluation.
He's not crazy, sir.
After which he will voluntarily separate from the service with loss of benefits, of course, and accept a bad conduct discharge.
Meaning the Colonel is prepared to overlook the deal Gunnery Sergeant Crockett had with his former CO? There is no record of any deal.
Sir, we have a sworn statement from your predecessors, Colonels Garcia and Ainesworth, confirming that there was a deal.
Damn it, Lieutenant.
The man tried to kill a Colonel in the United States Marine Corps.
Begging the Colonel's pardon, sir if Gunnery Sergeant Crockett was trying to kill you, you'd be dead.
A free hand snapshot at a moving target over 1,000 metres away and you have the The gall to claim he hit what he was aiming at? - Not gall, sir.
Confidence.
- Davy Crockett couldn't make that shot.
With your permission, Colonel, I'd like to prove otherwise.
If you're ready, sir.
Good morning, Colonel.
Prisoner Crockett is present as ordered, sir.
Good morning, Colonel.
Good morning, Gunnery Sergeant.
Stand at ease.
Gunnery Sergeant Crockett, is it your contention you had no malicious intent when you fired on Colonel Gordon's vehicle? Sir.
The Colonel wouldn't let me explain my deal.
I was just trying to get the CO's attention, sir.
The Colonel has agreed to let us duplicate your shot.
Rather than ask the Colonel and his aide to drive the vehicle, that task has fallen on me.
Sir, the Gunnery Sergeant meant what he said when he warned the Commander about not getting in his scope.
Your sincerity is not at issue here, Gunny your intentions are.
Attention on the range.
- What the hell's he doing here? - Making sense of nonsense, I hope.
I didn't want to see you get yourself killed.
- I'm flattered.
- Don't be.
I have enough work without investigating the death of one of my lawyers.
- Good morning, Admiral.
- Good morning, Colonel.
As you were.
Hello, Gunny.
Long time.
Yes, sir, Admiral.
Welcome to MCRDC.
I understand you're putting on a shooting exhibition.
- Lovely day for it.
- Yes, sir.
A little windier than I'd like.
Well, what are we waiting for? Sir.
Are you sure this is such a good idea, sir? A little late for doubts, isn't it, Lieutenant? Corporal, clear your weapon and present it to Gunnery Sergeant Crockett.
What's your zero, Trevino? Gunny, my weapon is zeroed for 800 metres.
Good shot, Gunny.
One shot.
One kill.
Gunnery Sergeant Crockett, the Corps cannot allow prior gallantry to be used as an excuse for reckless behaviour.
Therefore, I have no choice but to find you guilty of wanton destruction of miscellaneous items of government property.
You are hereby ordered to make full restitution.
In addition, you're restricted to base for 60 days at half pay.
- Any questions? - Sir, no, sir.
Pin your chevrons back on.
Return to duty, Gunny.
Aye, aye, sir.
Thanks, Commander.
You got some major brass.
Eight weeks.
I'll make you a hell of a sniper.
Maybe next time.
I'll keep it in mind.
Gunnery Sergeant Crockett? I believe I still owe you a drink if you're done shooting for the day.
Sir, I'd be honoured, sir.
You still don't remember him, do you, Gunny? Commander, a gunnery sergeant don't tell the two star he don't remember him.
Lieutenant Austin, you're dismissed until Thank you, ma'am.
- Commander Rabb? - Sir.
Why don't you join us? Aye, aye, sir.
Big plans for the weekend, Commander? Not anymore.