JAG s02e11 Episode Script
Force Recon
According to my map, the safety area extends as far as that wash on the other side of that bridge.
Position your team in the wash.
We'll target the tank.
We'll knock down the bad guys with the Close Air Support.
Aye, sir.
We've got a target to paint from the other side of the bridge.
Move out.
Reaper, this is Red Dog One.
I've got a fire mission for you.
We've got a tank with a laser designator.
Take it out with a Maverick.
Then sanitize the area.
Roger, Red Dog.
You paint it, we'll hit it.
You sure we're supposed to get this close to the tank? - We can paint it from here.
- No.
We paint it from where the captain says we paint it.
This side of the bridge.
Red Dog One, Red Dog Five.
We're in position.
- Paint it, gunny.
- Roger that, sir.
Let's do it.
Reaper Leader to Sections 2 and 3.
Target area is all yours.
Bell, get back here.
Get down.
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.
- Major, the file you are looking for is - I know where it is, Bud.
- Yes, ma'am, but it's already - Zero-nine-thirty-nine and the flight doesn't leave until 1100.
We have plenty of time.
So relax.
You are so nervous.
Yes, ma'am.
It's just that I'm trying to point out the file There it is.
For heaven's sakes, Bud, it was right in front of you.
Yes, ma'am.
How about that? It's 0940.
We've got plenty of time.
- Did I say anything? - It's the thought that counts.
You were about to tell me that I'm late for my flight.
Now, you and Bud call if you need any help with your case.
You call if you need help with yours.
Oh, I've got mine aced.
You guys have your work cut out for you.
Why is that, sir? Recon Marines are trained to be a tight group.
They won't like the idea of talking about one of their own.
And this Captain Koonan's got quite a reputation.
- For what, ma'am? - For eating JAG officers for lunch.
Seriously, Koonan is one tough, old-fashioned Marine.
His nickname is The Duke.
As in John Wayne.
- You're kidding? - You know what bothers me, Harm? Captain Koonan is a legend.
Came up through the ranks.
More medals than his chest can hold.
Spent nearly his entire career with recon units.
I mean, he designed the recon training programme.
Well, actually, he designed the close-quarter battle section.
So how does an officer with that much experience put his men's lives at risk in a training exercise? That's a good question.
Thanks for the help.
You miss me already, don't you? Yes, sir.
Sergeant Major Sauer.
Sergeant major? You will address me as sir, recruit.
Do you understand? - I'm Commander - Do you understand? Yes, sir.
Because you are one of the most miserable specimens I have ever seen.
There is no way in hell I'm gonna be able to square away what God has so badly screwed up.
There is not enough time.
Unless you pay attention to every word I say.
Do you understand? - Yes, sir.
- Good.
Then repeat back what I have just told you.
- Every word? - Are you making a joke, recruit? No, sir.
It's a pleasure to have you here, major.
You too, lieutenant.
I asked for a Marine to head up this investigation and, by God, the admiral came through.
And a lady to boot.
Outstanding.
Admiral Chegwidden didn't tell me you'd requested a Marine, sir.
It's the only way to do this investigation properly.
The Marine Corps has to discipline itself.
Not that we don't appreciate the help from the Navy, lieutenant.
It's a new Marine Corps, major.
We have new equipment, new demographic, new methods.
Our training requirements have to reflect these changes.
We can't think like dinosaurs in an old John Wayne movie.
Those days are gone.
It's fine to be tough.
It's not fine to get your men hurt in training.
- No, sir, it is not.
- Captain Koonan's map.
He says the safety line was smudged.
That's why his men were outside the safety area.
- You don't believe him, colonel? - I didn't say that, major.
Captain Koonan is a friend of mine.
It would hurt to learn that he was responsible for what happened.
But it would hurt more if his leadership reflected badly on the Corps.
Find out what happened to my Marines, major.
- Yes, sir.
- Lieutenant.
Well, the target quadrant's smudged all right.
Obliterated is more like it.
Well, isn't this the danger-close boundary here, ma'am? It doesn't look like it includes that little road there.
Could be.
Or this could be a line here.
And that does include the road.
Well, if that is the safety area, then Captain Koonan was within his rights.
If not, he put his men at risk.
Putting your men unnecessarily at risk during a training exercise, or at any time, is unacceptable.
You have made no progress, recruit.
But luck is with you.
Because I am gonna give you another opportunity to prove to me that you are not gonna get the rest of your team killed because of your ineptitude or incompetence.
Assume the position, recruit.
Again.
Not bad.
For the Navy.
Miller, Allard.
Come on.
Very impressive, captain.
An ordinary Marine is impressive, major.
A Recon Marine must be exceptional, or he will die.
They are expected to implant sensors and beacons, capture prisoners, call and adjust supporting arms, conduct raids and rescue hostages.
Isn't that right, first sergeant? You just told them the easy part, skipper.
Sergeant Tesla.
Sergeant Tesla reporting as ordered, sir.
Curve your hand, sergeant.
The object is to incapacitate your enemy by digging your fingers into the pressure points on his neck, here.
Grab, pull, chop.
Well, he knows his close combat.
If you need more than two blows to kill your enemy, your chances of dying increase 60 percent.
Get it right, son.
I will, sir.
Back to it.
Aye, aye, sir.
Everything I had to say about the accident is down in black and white in my statement.
We've read your statement, captain.
Then how can I help you, major? How many times have you been on the training range where the accident took place? Once.
Just once? I was not familiar with the terrain if that is your question.
It was a new exercise.
Will that be all, ma'am? We'd like permission to interview the recon members who were involved.
My men are participating in a live-fire graduation exercise.
If they do not receive a high grade, they will not become Force Recon.
Reveille is at 0430.
First class, 0600.
Can you conduct your interviews by then? If it's not too early, ma'am.
I usually have lunch by then, captain.
You can use my office in the squad bay for your interviews.
Will that be all, major? Because if it is How are the injured men doing? For the record, major, I visit Gunny Krycek and Corporal Bell daily.
Also for the record, I'm very sorry that Corporal Bell was wounded.
But I am damn glad that it happened now.
Recon Marines cannot afford to give in to fear the way Corporal Bell did.
The fate of an entire division depends on how well these men react under fire.
Exercises like this are designed to weed people like Bell out.
Then you succeeded, captain.
If you'll excuse me, major, lieutenant, my Marines need some hot chow and a trip to the rain room.
Recon, ten-hut.
Who are you? We are the best, sir.
Recon.
You're damned right you are.
Dismissed.
Aye, aye, sir.
Enter.
Major MacKenzie, Lieutenant Roberts.
This is Sergeant Krycek's replacement Gunnery Sergeant Post.
It's good to see you again, gunny Post.
- Yes, ma'am.
- You two served together? Yes, sir.
Bosnia.
Two Nine, right, gunny? - Two Nine, ma'am.
- It's a good outfit.
Let's see, the CO was - Captain Walls, sir.
- Walls, of course.
Who could forget Gonzo Walls? Well, you two probably have some catching up to do.
Yes, sir, we certainly do.
No one is to be treated with kid gloves, guns.
But the days of breaking down a man and building him back up into a Marine are gone.
- Understood, sir.
- Dismissed.
Aye, aye, sir.
One more thing, gunny.
Sir? If anyone, enlisted or commissioned, doesn't conform to the way that I want things done, I expect you to tell me about it.
That's an order.
Sir.
That was not very smart, major.
As smart as not telling your partner you're undercover on the same case she's working on, commander? Sir, ma'am, I don't think this is a great spot to discuss this.
At ease, Bud.
How the hell was I supposed to know who the CO of Force Recon was? How the hell was I supposed to know you were coming? The admiral thought it would be best if we had someone working from the inside too.
Getting information from a Recon Marine is like getting blood from a stone.
Harm, I'm your partner.
Well, maybe the admiral's developing a sense of humour.
- I don't know.
- Don't blame it on the admiral.
You did it on purpose.
- Sir? Ma'am? - What? With all due respect, I think you're both wrong.
You're mostly right.
I'd say 95 percent right and five percent wrong.
Captain Koonan is the finest officer I've ever served under, ma'am.
I'd follow him to hell and back.
- It seems to be a case for movies.
- Ma'am? Audie Murphy.
To Hell and Back was a movie with Forget it, sergeant.
At ease, relax.
You don't need to sit at attention.
Yes, ma'am.
You didn't see the captain's map, you had no idea you were within the impact area, even though you knew you were only about 100 metres from the target and you'd follow Captain Koonan to hell.
And back, ma'am.
He'd get us back.
And back.
May I speak freely, ma'am? The skipper, I mean, Captain Koonan.
Well, he'd never deliberately put us in a position where anyone could get hurt.
Then how did two marines end up in sick bay, sergeant? That was Bell's own fault.
If he'd have kept his head down, he'd have been okay.
If Bell had been in the safety area, he would have been okay.
Affirmative, ma'am, but But? I was scared to death out there, ma'am.
I've never been in combat.
And those bombs they Man, they sounded like I don't know what.
The thing is, I'll probably be scared that bad again someday.
Worse, maybe.
But I know something now.
What's that, sergeant? I know I can handle being that scared.
I won't freeze.
I'll get the job done.
May I go now, ma'am? The new gunny comes onboard today.
I'd like to see that my gear is squared away.
Thank you, Sergeant Tesla.
Dismissed.
Aye, aye, ma'am.
Who's next? That was the last of them.
That's it? Four interviews and what do we have? "I didn't know we were beyond the safety area.
" "He's the finest officer I've ever served under.
" And "I'd follow him to hell and back.
" In other words, it was Bell's fault.
How could it be a trainee's fault? I really gotta talk to Corporal Bell.
I've been calling the hospital.
He's still unconscious.
You are not a wet nurse, Gunnery Sergeant Post.
You are not a camp counsellor.
You are not a therapist.
You are an instructor for Recon Marines.
- Aye, aye, sir.
- I do not want them stroked.
I do not want them coddled.
I want them tempered.
I want them hardened.
So that they are absolutely confident that they can do their job and come back alive.
Aye, aye, skipper.
Corporal Sibley, you are one of the most miserable specimens I have ever seen.
You are one day from graduation and you cannot defeat a simple obstacle? But you will, Sibley.
Because I am gonna correct what God has screwed up if it is the last thing that I do.
Yes, gunnery sergeant.
Now, we will do this again tomorrow.
And when we do, you will use your right foot to boost yourself to the top of the wall.
- Do you understand? - Yes, gunnery sergeant.
Now, get some.
- Guns.
- Sir? There is no tomorrow in combat.
Sir, Sibley is exhausted.
- You've been in combat, gunny? - Yes, sir.
Were you ever not scared, not tired? Corporal Sibley.
You will defeat this obstacle today.
Yes, gunnery sergeant.
Get up, Sibley, get up! Do you wanna be a Recon Marine? I am a Recon Marine.
Then why aren't you using your foot, Sibley? No excuse, gunnery sergeant.
Get your ass over the wall or, I swear to God, I'll kick it back to wherever the hell it came from.
Yes, Gunnery Sergeant Post.
And the rest of you, what the hell are you doing? You are a team.
If one man fails, you all fail.
- What are you? - Recon! Recon, Recon, Recon.
Gunny Krycek, why were your men outside the safety area? According to the map, we were inside the safety area, ma'am.
If Corporal Bell had kept his cool, we'd all be having a cold one at the NCO Club.
Do you need to nearly die to have a cold beer? That's what we do, ma'am.
We kill or we die.
There's lots of people who don't like to think of it that way.
But you can bet they're the ones who'll scream the loudest if we don't do our job.
Especially when they start doing the dying because of it.
Corporal Bell? I'm Major MacKenzie, Judge Advocate General Corps.
This is Lieutenant Roberts.
The doctor gave us five minutes.
Yes, ma'am.
How are you feeling? Like I was run over by a tank.
We're trying to determine the cause of the accident.
Can you remember anything that might be helpful? Just before the exercise started I saw Captain Koonan doing something with his map.
What was he doing? I don't know.
Rubbing it.
Like, with dirt.
And then he took out a pencil and drew a line on it.
Are you sure, corporal? It was dark, remember? He wasn't but about from me to you.
And the moon was shining enough, ma'am.
More beer for Corporal Sibley, wall climber.
Flyer.
Wall flyer.
So, Sibley, what's the word on Gunny Krycek? Gunny Krycek ought to get a medal.
- He saved Bell's ass.
- That's what I heard.
How the hell did you guys wind up in the target area anyway? Oh, hell, that's simple.
See, Captain Koonan Is the finest officer in the Marine Corps.
Captain Koonan.
Recon.
Recon? Take your covers off.
We don't wear them inside in the Corps.
We're Rangers.
Not jarheads.
As you were, Tesla.
These doggies are our guests.
They're here to learn from us.
The only thing we're learning from you guys is how to use the head.
As you were.
Gunny.
Sitting down.
I gotta admire your restraint, gunny.
You held off decking that jerk for a good, two, maybe three seconds.
Man, I don't remember it hurting this much.
Don't tell me you're out of practise, gunny.
Well, you know, it's getting harder and harder to find a good bar fight.
You got that right.
A lot of guys, they just wanna talk things out.
We're Recon.
We don't talk.
We do.
Yeah, a lot of things are getting screwed up in this new Marine Corps.
Yeah, this whole thing with Bell and the gunny.
So, what do you think about Captain Koonan? - I think he's a hell of an officer.
- You think he's too hard on the men? - Do you? - Reckless with their safety? You'd have to tell me, Sergeant Tesla.
I'm the new guy here.
- You've been in combat, right? - Yep.
In war, things don't always go as planned.
More often than not.
Captain Koonan is famous for interjecting problems into the mission.
That way we gotta solve it right then and there.
It's for our own good.
He wants to give us the confidence to know we can get the job done.
And survive.
I'd heard a lot about the captain before I was assigned to this unit.
That was the word on him.
His men come back alive.
I think Gunny Krycek ought to get a medal.
The captain's put the gunny up for a Navy-Marine Corps medal for his heroism.
It's in Colonel Malcolm's hands now.
Colonel Malcolm? If it were up to him, we'd all hold hands and chant before a mission.
Attention on deck.
As you were.
You are one sorry-looking bunch of Marines.
Sir, yes, sir.
Menaces to society.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
- Brawlers.
- Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
These men are involved in a Battalion-wide live-fire exercise today.
Without them, the exercise cannot go forward.
Sir, I have no authorization to release them.
What do these look like to you, Marine? Captain's bars, sir.
And they are all the authorization you need.
Fall in on the captain.
Recon Recruit Team Red Dog Five present and accounted for, sir.
- There's only one thing I wanna know.
- Sir.
How did the men perform? Outstanding, sir.
How can that be, Gunnery Sergeant Post? My men ended up in the brig.
Did you see any Rangers in the brig, First Sergeant Creed? Not one Ranger, sir.
Rangers are in sick bay, sir.
I see.
How do you feel about that, first sergeant? I'm appalled by their conduct, sir.
The first sergeant and I are appalled, gunny.
Yes, sir, I thought you would be, sir.
It will not happen again.
No, sir.
The close-quarter battle exercise today will be your last.
Screw it up and you will not become Recon Marines.
So there is only one possible outcome, gentlemen.
Success.
Sir, yes, sir.
Gunny, briefing is at 1300.
Aye, aye, sir.
Outstanding.
You men get some Z's.
It's gonna be a long day.
Fall out.
Aye, aye, sir.
Major? It is the custom to salute an officer, gunny.
Yes, ma'am.
You are loving this new relationship, aren't you? Not as much as you're loving your new infantry career.
Well, it has its kicks, yes.
Corporal Bell regained consciousness last night.
- Did you get a statement? - I did.
Corporal Bell claims he saw Captain Koonan deliberately alter his map.
What have you learned? Koonan is famous for interjecting problems into his training exercises.
Looks like he went too far this time.
We don't know that, Mac.
All we have is a statement from a corporal who couldn't hack it.
- You like Koonan, don't you? - I respect him.
He may be hard on his men.
He may push the envelope or bend the rules a little but Yeah, or break the rules.
Now, I don't know that for sure, Mac.
But I do know that his Marines are some of the best-trained I've seen.
His come back alive and in one piece.
Not Bell.
Not Krycek.
Colonel Malcolm wants a preliminary report from me by 1200.
You don't have anything to give him yet.
I have a damaging statement.
And there appears to be a pattern of conduct involved.
All you have is hearsay.
If interjecting problems jeopardises their safety, then he's a bad officer.
- It's as simple as that.
- How do you train men for war, Mac? You can't have a war if your Marines are dead before the damn thing starts.
You cannot ruin a man's career without proof.
Based on what you know, do you believe Captain Koonan should be relieved of command? Sir, it's my duty to investigate.
It's also my duty to keep the results of that investigation confidential until I've completed it.
Under the circumstances, that's not an option, major.
I can't let Captain Koonan be made a scapegoat, sir.
- Is that what you think I'm doing? - No, sir.
But inadvertent things happen when the controls are removed.
Well, damn it, major.
I didn't remove the controls.
If Captain Koonan placed his men outside the safety area, then he's responsible for putting two of them in sick bay.
If someone is injured on this exercise because of Captain Koonan, I will have your oak leaf.
Fall in.
Recon Team Red Dog Five present or accounted for, sir.
Post.
At ease.
There is an enemy force in and around the target village.
Intel tells us there are two or three Marine POWs being held in that village.
Battalion will attack at 1600.
The attack will be preceded by an artillery barrage.
We will be inserted by helo on the roof of a building.
We'll move down an outside stairway into an alley.
We'll proceed through that alley to our objective.
Remember, this is live fire.
Five minutes after you evac, the area will be levelled by artillery.
That means you could get hurt, or killed, if you are not well clear.
Who are you? We're the best, sir.
Recon.
Then prove it.
Will there be anything else, sir? Did you find my briefing inadequate, gunny? Sir, I was wondering if there was something you might have skipped over or left out, sir? If I have, then you will deal with it, gunny.
Sir, I'm not worried about me dealing with it.
I train my men the best way I know how to become warriors.
Recon Marines are not as other men, Gunnery Sergeant Post.
Do it.
Aye, aye, sir.
Listen up.
Your success today will prove you are Recon Marines.
Captain's made it perfectly clear that this mission is dangerous.
You've heard of Murphy's Law, gentlemen? Well, you can count on one thing.
On this mission, Murphy will make an appearance.
All right, pay attention, gentlemen.
Intel says there were two or three POWs in the building across the street from our insertion point.
If Intelligence is wrong, we will proceed, building by building until we locate each and every POW.
Understood? - Got it, gunny.
- Roger that, gunny.
This is where we earn that Recon title, gentlemen.
Get some.
Angel One, this is Big Bird.
Red Dog Team has been inserted.
Ready your weapon, staff sergeant.
Go.
Go.
Bad guys.
- POWs? - Negative, gunny.
- Negative, gunny.
- Negative.
Regroup.
Next target.
Go.
Cover.
That is one squared-away team, first sergeant.
They damn sure are, sir.
Are you up for promotion, first sergeant? Go.
Clear.
Clear.
Two POWs.
Allard, help Sibley free the POWs.
Check for injuries.
Tesla, radio.
Red Dog One, Red Dog Five.
POWs are secure.
Red Dog One, this is Red Dog Five.
Do you read? Do you read? Their radio is supposed to be inoperable.
- Do you read? - Not ours.
Captain Koonan's radio is inop.
I knew it.
I caught him, gunny.
I saw the captain switching my radio with his.
So I switched them back.
Both the POWs appear to have leg wounds from the shackles, gunny.
Assume they can't walk.
- Got it, gunny.
- Angel One, Red Dog Five.
POWs are secure.
Will call when we've cleared the area.
Stand by for artillery coordinates, staff sergeant.
Clear.
We've got 10 mikes before ordinance turns this vil into a nightmare.
Go.
Stand by, weapons.
They're clear.
Tesla, radio.
Angel One, Red Dog Five.
Angel One, Red Dog Five.
We are clear of the objective.
Repeat, we are clear of the objective.
Go.
Fire mission grid, alpha, bravo 323441.
Direction, 6139.
Tesla.
POW, gunny.
Damn it, Tesla.
Clear out, that's an order.
Get out of there.
Get the hell out of there! Damn it.
Rags.
Damn.
Tesla! Sergeant Tesla! My leg! Continue with the mission, Sibley.
You've got it.
I'm going back for Tesla.
Gunny, we've got incoming ordinance in less than five minutes.
Tesla's got a radio.
I'll call to abort.
Now, get out of here.
Damn it.
First sergeant, get this vehicle to Battalion.
We have five minutes to stop that artillery.
Aye, aye, skipper.
- Ready on three.
- Three, sir? Ready on five.
What the hell is this? I need a radio.
We don't have one, sir.
But Battalion's just up the road.
I know where Battalion is, Marine.
- Get this damn thing out of this hole.
- Yes, sir.
Sorry, gunny.
I thought those rags were a POW.
If we would have left him behind, we wouldn't graduate.
Don't worry.
Let's get you out of here.
- How's that leg? - Not too good.
I think it's broke.
So is this radio.
All right.
Here it goes.
Dig, damn it.
Try it, private.
Take it slow.
She's pretty well stuck, skipper.
There is no way in hell a piece of retrograde steel is gonna defeat a bunch of able-bodied Marines.
Now, put your shoulders to the damn thing.
Go.
Push.
Get out of here, gunny.
Artillery's gonna turn this place to dust.
I'm not leaving without you, Tesla.
- What are you doing back here? - We're a team, aren't we, gunny? Fire for effect on my command.
Rock it.
Rock it, damn it.
Now, you get this piece of junk out of my way, private.
Move out.
Now.
Fire.
- Get out of here.
- Lift.
Fire.
Fire.
Fire, fire.
Colonel, ceasefire.
My men haven't cleared the village.
Ceasefire! Ceasefire! They stopped.
They radioed that they were in the clear.
- What the hell happened? - They went back into the village, sir.
Then why the hell didn't they get on the horn? - I don't know.
- Why didn't you? I disabled my team's comm gear.
Somehow the radios got switched.
You disabled your team's comm gear? I took out a transmitter and put it in my office.
Just like I smudged out the safety perimeter on my map.
I wanted my men to taste the cordite, sir.
To know the fear of a close barrage.
I have created problems like that since I've been with this command.
It is the method I use to train my men.
Did you hear that, Major MacKenzie? Lieutenant Roberts? Colonel Malcolm did not know.
Hey, gunny.
Thanks.
This is terrific.
Outstanding.
This kind of publicity will go a long way towards letting people know what Recon's all about.
Excellent job, major, lieutenant.
I don't know that we deserve thanks, sir.
Nonsense.
You helped to expose a training method that was putting my men's lives at risk.
An official letter of reprimand will become part of Captain Koonan's permanent record and he will be leaving the Corps.
John Wayne is dead.
I liked you better in camos.
Well, I enjoyed wearing them.
You were a credit to the uniform.
Thank you for bringing my men out, gunny.
Well, hell, captain, they teach you a few things in the Navy too.
- I just saw Corporal Bell.
He's - Gonna be fine.
I know.
I visited him early this morning.
I hate to see the Corps lose an officer like you, sir.
Just as well.
I don't understand this new Corps.
And I don't think it's right for the country.
I hope you're wrong about that, captain.
Time will tell, commander.
Time will tell.
Position your team in the wash.
We'll target the tank.
We'll knock down the bad guys with the Close Air Support.
Aye, sir.
We've got a target to paint from the other side of the bridge.
Move out.
Reaper, this is Red Dog One.
I've got a fire mission for you.
We've got a tank with a laser designator.
Take it out with a Maverick.
Then sanitize the area.
Roger, Red Dog.
You paint it, we'll hit it.
You sure we're supposed to get this close to the tank? - We can paint it from here.
- No.
We paint it from where the captain says we paint it.
This side of the bridge.
Red Dog One, Red Dog Five.
We're in position.
- Paint it, gunny.
- Roger that, sir.
Let's do it.
Reaper Leader to Sections 2 and 3.
Target area is all yours.
Bell, get back here.
Get down.
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.
- Major, the file you are looking for is - I know where it is, Bud.
- Yes, ma'am, but it's already - Zero-nine-thirty-nine and the flight doesn't leave until 1100.
We have plenty of time.
So relax.
You are so nervous.
Yes, ma'am.
It's just that I'm trying to point out the file There it is.
For heaven's sakes, Bud, it was right in front of you.
Yes, ma'am.
How about that? It's 0940.
We've got plenty of time.
- Did I say anything? - It's the thought that counts.
You were about to tell me that I'm late for my flight.
Now, you and Bud call if you need any help with your case.
You call if you need help with yours.
Oh, I've got mine aced.
You guys have your work cut out for you.
Why is that, sir? Recon Marines are trained to be a tight group.
They won't like the idea of talking about one of their own.
And this Captain Koonan's got quite a reputation.
- For what, ma'am? - For eating JAG officers for lunch.
Seriously, Koonan is one tough, old-fashioned Marine.
His nickname is The Duke.
As in John Wayne.
- You're kidding? - You know what bothers me, Harm? Captain Koonan is a legend.
Came up through the ranks.
More medals than his chest can hold.
Spent nearly his entire career with recon units.
I mean, he designed the recon training programme.
Well, actually, he designed the close-quarter battle section.
So how does an officer with that much experience put his men's lives at risk in a training exercise? That's a good question.
Thanks for the help.
You miss me already, don't you? Yes, sir.
Sergeant Major Sauer.
Sergeant major? You will address me as sir, recruit.
Do you understand? - I'm Commander - Do you understand? Yes, sir.
Because you are one of the most miserable specimens I have ever seen.
There is no way in hell I'm gonna be able to square away what God has so badly screwed up.
There is not enough time.
Unless you pay attention to every word I say.
Do you understand? - Yes, sir.
- Good.
Then repeat back what I have just told you.
- Every word? - Are you making a joke, recruit? No, sir.
It's a pleasure to have you here, major.
You too, lieutenant.
I asked for a Marine to head up this investigation and, by God, the admiral came through.
And a lady to boot.
Outstanding.
Admiral Chegwidden didn't tell me you'd requested a Marine, sir.
It's the only way to do this investigation properly.
The Marine Corps has to discipline itself.
Not that we don't appreciate the help from the Navy, lieutenant.
It's a new Marine Corps, major.
We have new equipment, new demographic, new methods.
Our training requirements have to reflect these changes.
We can't think like dinosaurs in an old John Wayne movie.
Those days are gone.
It's fine to be tough.
It's not fine to get your men hurt in training.
- No, sir, it is not.
- Captain Koonan's map.
He says the safety line was smudged.
That's why his men were outside the safety area.
- You don't believe him, colonel? - I didn't say that, major.
Captain Koonan is a friend of mine.
It would hurt to learn that he was responsible for what happened.
But it would hurt more if his leadership reflected badly on the Corps.
Find out what happened to my Marines, major.
- Yes, sir.
- Lieutenant.
Well, the target quadrant's smudged all right.
Obliterated is more like it.
Well, isn't this the danger-close boundary here, ma'am? It doesn't look like it includes that little road there.
Could be.
Or this could be a line here.
And that does include the road.
Well, if that is the safety area, then Captain Koonan was within his rights.
If not, he put his men at risk.
Putting your men unnecessarily at risk during a training exercise, or at any time, is unacceptable.
You have made no progress, recruit.
But luck is with you.
Because I am gonna give you another opportunity to prove to me that you are not gonna get the rest of your team killed because of your ineptitude or incompetence.
Assume the position, recruit.
Again.
Not bad.
For the Navy.
Miller, Allard.
Come on.
Very impressive, captain.
An ordinary Marine is impressive, major.
A Recon Marine must be exceptional, or he will die.
They are expected to implant sensors and beacons, capture prisoners, call and adjust supporting arms, conduct raids and rescue hostages.
Isn't that right, first sergeant? You just told them the easy part, skipper.
Sergeant Tesla.
Sergeant Tesla reporting as ordered, sir.
Curve your hand, sergeant.
The object is to incapacitate your enemy by digging your fingers into the pressure points on his neck, here.
Grab, pull, chop.
Well, he knows his close combat.
If you need more than two blows to kill your enemy, your chances of dying increase 60 percent.
Get it right, son.
I will, sir.
Back to it.
Aye, aye, sir.
Everything I had to say about the accident is down in black and white in my statement.
We've read your statement, captain.
Then how can I help you, major? How many times have you been on the training range where the accident took place? Once.
Just once? I was not familiar with the terrain if that is your question.
It was a new exercise.
Will that be all, ma'am? We'd like permission to interview the recon members who were involved.
My men are participating in a live-fire graduation exercise.
If they do not receive a high grade, they will not become Force Recon.
Reveille is at 0430.
First class, 0600.
Can you conduct your interviews by then? If it's not too early, ma'am.
I usually have lunch by then, captain.
You can use my office in the squad bay for your interviews.
Will that be all, major? Because if it is How are the injured men doing? For the record, major, I visit Gunny Krycek and Corporal Bell daily.
Also for the record, I'm very sorry that Corporal Bell was wounded.
But I am damn glad that it happened now.
Recon Marines cannot afford to give in to fear the way Corporal Bell did.
The fate of an entire division depends on how well these men react under fire.
Exercises like this are designed to weed people like Bell out.
Then you succeeded, captain.
If you'll excuse me, major, lieutenant, my Marines need some hot chow and a trip to the rain room.
Recon, ten-hut.
Who are you? We are the best, sir.
Recon.
You're damned right you are.
Dismissed.
Aye, aye, sir.
Enter.
Major MacKenzie, Lieutenant Roberts.
This is Sergeant Krycek's replacement Gunnery Sergeant Post.
It's good to see you again, gunny Post.
- Yes, ma'am.
- You two served together? Yes, sir.
Bosnia.
Two Nine, right, gunny? - Two Nine, ma'am.
- It's a good outfit.
Let's see, the CO was - Captain Walls, sir.
- Walls, of course.
Who could forget Gonzo Walls? Well, you two probably have some catching up to do.
Yes, sir, we certainly do.
No one is to be treated with kid gloves, guns.
But the days of breaking down a man and building him back up into a Marine are gone.
- Understood, sir.
- Dismissed.
Aye, aye, sir.
One more thing, gunny.
Sir? If anyone, enlisted or commissioned, doesn't conform to the way that I want things done, I expect you to tell me about it.
That's an order.
Sir.
That was not very smart, major.
As smart as not telling your partner you're undercover on the same case she's working on, commander? Sir, ma'am, I don't think this is a great spot to discuss this.
At ease, Bud.
How the hell was I supposed to know who the CO of Force Recon was? How the hell was I supposed to know you were coming? The admiral thought it would be best if we had someone working from the inside too.
Getting information from a Recon Marine is like getting blood from a stone.
Harm, I'm your partner.
Well, maybe the admiral's developing a sense of humour.
- I don't know.
- Don't blame it on the admiral.
You did it on purpose.
- Sir? Ma'am? - What? With all due respect, I think you're both wrong.
You're mostly right.
I'd say 95 percent right and five percent wrong.
Captain Koonan is the finest officer I've ever served under, ma'am.
I'd follow him to hell and back.
- It seems to be a case for movies.
- Ma'am? Audie Murphy.
To Hell and Back was a movie with Forget it, sergeant.
At ease, relax.
You don't need to sit at attention.
Yes, ma'am.
You didn't see the captain's map, you had no idea you were within the impact area, even though you knew you were only about 100 metres from the target and you'd follow Captain Koonan to hell.
And back, ma'am.
He'd get us back.
And back.
May I speak freely, ma'am? The skipper, I mean, Captain Koonan.
Well, he'd never deliberately put us in a position where anyone could get hurt.
Then how did two marines end up in sick bay, sergeant? That was Bell's own fault.
If he'd have kept his head down, he'd have been okay.
If Bell had been in the safety area, he would have been okay.
Affirmative, ma'am, but But? I was scared to death out there, ma'am.
I've never been in combat.
And those bombs they Man, they sounded like I don't know what.
The thing is, I'll probably be scared that bad again someday.
Worse, maybe.
But I know something now.
What's that, sergeant? I know I can handle being that scared.
I won't freeze.
I'll get the job done.
May I go now, ma'am? The new gunny comes onboard today.
I'd like to see that my gear is squared away.
Thank you, Sergeant Tesla.
Dismissed.
Aye, aye, ma'am.
Who's next? That was the last of them.
That's it? Four interviews and what do we have? "I didn't know we were beyond the safety area.
" "He's the finest officer I've ever served under.
" And "I'd follow him to hell and back.
" In other words, it was Bell's fault.
How could it be a trainee's fault? I really gotta talk to Corporal Bell.
I've been calling the hospital.
He's still unconscious.
You are not a wet nurse, Gunnery Sergeant Post.
You are not a camp counsellor.
You are not a therapist.
You are an instructor for Recon Marines.
- Aye, aye, sir.
- I do not want them stroked.
I do not want them coddled.
I want them tempered.
I want them hardened.
So that they are absolutely confident that they can do their job and come back alive.
Aye, aye, skipper.
Corporal Sibley, you are one of the most miserable specimens I have ever seen.
You are one day from graduation and you cannot defeat a simple obstacle? But you will, Sibley.
Because I am gonna correct what God has screwed up if it is the last thing that I do.
Yes, gunnery sergeant.
Now, we will do this again tomorrow.
And when we do, you will use your right foot to boost yourself to the top of the wall.
- Do you understand? - Yes, gunnery sergeant.
Now, get some.
- Guns.
- Sir? There is no tomorrow in combat.
Sir, Sibley is exhausted.
- You've been in combat, gunny? - Yes, sir.
Were you ever not scared, not tired? Corporal Sibley.
You will defeat this obstacle today.
Yes, gunnery sergeant.
Get up, Sibley, get up! Do you wanna be a Recon Marine? I am a Recon Marine.
Then why aren't you using your foot, Sibley? No excuse, gunnery sergeant.
Get your ass over the wall or, I swear to God, I'll kick it back to wherever the hell it came from.
Yes, Gunnery Sergeant Post.
And the rest of you, what the hell are you doing? You are a team.
If one man fails, you all fail.
- What are you? - Recon! Recon, Recon, Recon.
Gunny Krycek, why were your men outside the safety area? According to the map, we were inside the safety area, ma'am.
If Corporal Bell had kept his cool, we'd all be having a cold one at the NCO Club.
Do you need to nearly die to have a cold beer? That's what we do, ma'am.
We kill or we die.
There's lots of people who don't like to think of it that way.
But you can bet they're the ones who'll scream the loudest if we don't do our job.
Especially when they start doing the dying because of it.
Corporal Bell? I'm Major MacKenzie, Judge Advocate General Corps.
This is Lieutenant Roberts.
The doctor gave us five minutes.
Yes, ma'am.
How are you feeling? Like I was run over by a tank.
We're trying to determine the cause of the accident.
Can you remember anything that might be helpful? Just before the exercise started I saw Captain Koonan doing something with his map.
What was he doing? I don't know.
Rubbing it.
Like, with dirt.
And then he took out a pencil and drew a line on it.
Are you sure, corporal? It was dark, remember? He wasn't but about from me to you.
And the moon was shining enough, ma'am.
More beer for Corporal Sibley, wall climber.
Flyer.
Wall flyer.
So, Sibley, what's the word on Gunny Krycek? Gunny Krycek ought to get a medal.
- He saved Bell's ass.
- That's what I heard.
How the hell did you guys wind up in the target area anyway? Oh, hell, that's simple.
See, Captain Koonan Is the finest officer in the Marine Corps.
Captain Koonan.
Recon.
Recon? Take your covers off.
We don't wear them inside in the Corps.
We're Rangers.
Not jarheads.
As you were, Tesla.
These doggies are our guests.
They're here to learn from us.
The only thing we're learning from you guys is how to use the head.
As you were.
Gunny.
Sitting down.
I gotta admire your restraint, gunny.
You held off decking that jerk for a good, two, maybe three seconds.
Man, I don't remember it hurting this much.
Don't tell me you're out of practise, gunny.
Well, you know, it's getting harder and harder to find a good bar fight.
You got that right.
A lot of guys, they just wanna talk things out.
We're Recon.
We don't talk.
We do.
Yeah, a lot of things are getting screwed up in this new Marine Corps.
Yeah, this whole thing with Bell and the gunny.
So, what do you think about Captain Koonan? - I think he's a hell of an officer.
- You think he's too hard on the men? - Do you? - Reckless with their safety? You'd have to tell me, Sergeant Tesla.
I'm the new guy here.
- You've been in combat, right? - Yep.
In war, things don't always go as planned.
More often than not.
Captain Koonan is famous for interjecting problems into the mission.
That way we gotta solve it right then and there.
It's for our own good.
He wants to give us the confidence to know we can get the job done.
And survive.
I'd heard a lot about the captain before I was assigned to this unit.
That was the word on him.
His men come back alive.
I think Gunny Krycek ought to get a medal.
The captain's put the gunny up for a Navy-Marine Corps medal for his heroism.
It's in Colonel Malcolm's hands now.
Colonel Malcolm? If it were up to him, we'd all hold hands and chant before a mission.
Attention on deck.
As you were.
You are one sorry-looking bunch of Marines.
Sir, yes, sir.
Menaces to society.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
- Brawlers.
- Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
These men are involved in a Battalion-wide live-fire exercise today.
Without them, the exercise cannot go forward.
Sir, I have no authorization to release them.
What do these look like to you, Marine? Captain's bars, sir.
And they are all the authorization you need.
Fall in on the captain.
Recon Recruit Team Red Dog Five present and accounted for, sir.
- There's only one thing I wanna know.
- Sir.
How did the men perform? Outstanding, sir.
How can that be, Gunnery Sergeant Post? My men ended up in the brig.
Did you see any Rangers in the brig, First Sergeant Creed? Not one Ranger, sir.
Rangers are in sick bay, sir.
I see.
How do you feel about that, first sergeant? I'm appalled by their conduct, sir.
The first sergeant and I are appalled, gunny.
Yes, sir, I thought you would be, sir.
It will not happen again.
No, sir.
The close-quarter battle exercise today will be your last.
Screw it up and you will not become Recon Marines.
So there is only one possible outcome, gentlemen.
Success.
Sir, yes, sir.
Gunny, briefing is at 1300.
Aye, aye, sir.
Outstanding.
You men get some Z's.
It's gonna be a long day.
Fall out.
Aye, aye, sir.
Major? It is the custom to salute an officer, gunny.
Yes, ma'am.
You are loving this new relationship, aren't you? Not as much as you're loving your new infantry career.
Well, it has its kicks, yes.
Corporal Bell regained consciousness last night.
- Did you get a statement? - I did.
Corporal Bell claims he saw Captain Koonan deliberately alter his map.
What have you learned? Koonan is famous for interjecting problems into his training exercises.
Looks like he went too far this time.
We don't know that, Mac.
All we have is a statement from a corporal who couldn't hack it.
- You like Koonan, don't you? - I respect him.
He may be hard on his men.
He may push the envelope or bend the rules a little but Yeah, or break the rules.
Now, I don't know that for sure, Mac.
But I do know that his Marines are some of the best-trained I've seen.
His come back alive and in one piece.
Not Bell.
Not Krycek.
Colonel Malcolm wants a preliminary report from me by 1200.
You don't have anything to give him yet.
I have a damaging statement.
And there appears to be a pattern of conduct involved.
All you have is hearsay.
If interjecting problems jeopardises their safety, then he's a bad officer.
- It's as simple as that.
- How do you train men for war, Mac? You can't have a war if your Marines are dead before the damn thing starts.
You cannot ruin a man's career without proof.
Based on what you know, do you believe Captain Koonan should be relieved of command? Sir, it's my duty to investigate.
It's also my duty to keep the results of that investigation confidential until I've completed it.
Under the circumstances, that's not an option, major.
I can't let Captain Koonan be made a scapegoat, sir.
- Is that what you think I'm doing? - No, sir.
But inadvertent things happen when the controls are removed.
Well, damn it, major.
I didn't remove the controls.
If Captain Koonan placed his men outside the safety area, then he's responsible for putting two of them in sick bay.
If someone is injured on this exercise because of Captain Koonan, I will have your oak leaf.
Fall in.
Recon Team Red Dog Five present or accounted for, sir.
Post.
At ease.
There is an enemy force in and around the target village.
Intel tells us there are two or three Marine POWs being held in that village.
Battalion will attack at 1600.
The attack will be preceded by an artillery barrage.
We will be inserted by helo on the roof of a building.
We'll move down an outside stairway into an alley.
We'll proceed through that alley to our objective.
Remember, this is live fire.
Five minutes after you evac, the area will be levelled by artillery.
That means you could get hurt, or killed, if you are not well clear.
Who are you? We're the best, sir.
Recon.
Then prove it.
Will there be anything else, sir? Did you find my briefing inadequate, gunny? Sir, I was wondering if there was something you might have skipped over or left out, sir? If I have, then you will deal with it, gunny.
Sir, I'm not worried about me dealing with it.
I train my men the best way I know how to become warriors.
Recon Marines are not as other men, Gunnery Sergeant Post.
Do it.
Aye, aye, sir.
Listen up.
Your success today will prove you are Recon Marines.
Captain's made it perfectly clear that this mission is dangerous.
You've heard of Murphy's Law, gentlemen? Well, you can count on one thing.
On this mission, Murphy will make an appearance.
All right, pay attention, gentlemen.
Intel says there were two or three POWs in the building across the street from our insertion point.
If Intelligence is wrong, we will proceed, building by building until we locate each and every POW.
Understood? - Got it, gunny.
- Roger that, gunny.
This is where we earn that Recon title, gentlemen.
Get some.
Angel One, this is Big Bird.
Red Dog Team has been inserted.
Ready your weapon, staff sergeant.
Go.
Go.
Bad guys.
- POWs? - Negative, gunny.
- Negative, gunny.
- Negative.
Regroup.
Next target.
Go.
Cover.
That is one squared-away team, first sergeant.
They damn sure are, sir.
Are you up for promotion, first sergeant? Go.
Clear.
Clear.
Two POWs.
Allard, help Sibley free the POWs.
Check for injuries.
Tesla, radio.
Red Dog One, Red Dog Five.
POWs are secure.
Red Dog One, this is Red Dog Five.
Do you read? Do you read? Their radio is supposed to be inoperable.
- Do you read? - Not ours.
Captain Koonan's radio is inop.
I knew it.
I caught him, gunny.
I saw the captain switching my radio with his.
So I switched them back.
Both the POWs appear to have leg wounds from the shackles, gunny.
Assume they can't walk.
- Got it, gunny.
- Angel One, Red Dog Five.
POWs are secure.
Will call when we've cleared the area.
Stand by for artillery coordinates, staff sergeant.
Clear.
We've got 10 mikes before ordinance turns this vil into a nightmare.
Go.
Stand by, weapons.
They're clear.
Tesla, radio.
Angel One, Red Dog Five.
Angel One, Red Dog Five.
We are clear of the objective.
Repeat, we are clear of the objective.
Go.
Fire mission grid, alpha, bravo 323441.
Direction, 6139.
Tesla.
POW, gunny.
Damn it, Tesla.
Clear out, that's an order.
Get out of there.
Get the hell out of there! Damn it.
Rags.
Damn.
Tesla! Sergeant Tesla! My leg! Continue with the mission, Sibley.
You've got it.
I'm going back for Tesla.
Gunny, we've got incoming ordinance in less than five minutes.
Tesla's got a radio.
I'll call to abort.
Now, get out of here.
Damn it.
First sergeant, get this vehicle to Battalion.
We have five minutes to stop that artillery.
Aye, aye, skipper.
- Ready on three.
- Three, sir? Ready on five.
What the hell is this? I need a radio.
We don't have one, sir.
But Battalion's just up the road.
I know where Battalion is, Marine.
- Get this damn thing out of this hole.
- Yes, sir.
Sorry, gunny.
I thought those rags were a POW.
If we would have left him behind, we wouldn't graduate.
Don't worry.
Let's get you out of here.
- How's that leg? - Not too good.
I think it's broke.
So is this radio.
All right.
Here it goes.
Dig, damn it.
Try it, private.
Take it slow.
She's pretty well stuck, skipper.
There is no way in hell a piece of retrograde steel is gonna defeat a bunch of able-bodied Marines.
Now, put your shoulders to the damn thing.
Go.
Push.
Get out of here, gunny.
Artillery's gonna turn this place to dust.
I'm not leaving without you, Tesla.
- What are you doing back here? - We're a team, aren't we, gunny? Fire for effect on my command.
Rock it.
Rock it, damn it.
Now, you get this piece of junk out of my way, private.
Move out.
Now.
Fire.
- Get out of here.
- Lift.
Fire.
Fire.
Fire, fire.
Colonel, ceasefire.
My men haven't cleared the village.
Ceasefire! Ceasefire! They stopped.
They radioed that they were in the clear.
- What the hell happened? - They went back into the village, sir.
Then why the hell didn't they get on the horn? - I don't know.
- Why didn't you? I disabled my team's comm gear.
Somehow the radios got switched.
You disabled your team's comm gear? I took out a transmitter and put it in my office.
Just like I smudged out the safety perimeter on my map.
I wanted my men to taste the cordite, sir.
To know the fear of a close barrage.
I have created problems like that since I've been with this command.
It is the method I use to train my men.
Did you hear that, Major MacKenzie? Lieutenant Roberts? Colonel Malcolm did not know.
Hey, gunny.
Thanks.
This is terrific.
Outstanding.
This kind of publicity will go a long way towards letting people know what Recon's all about.
Excellent job, major, lieutenant.
I don't know that we deserve thanks, sir.
Nonsense.
You helped to expose a training method that was putting my men's lives at risk.
An official letter of reprimand will become part of Captain Koonan's permanent record and he will be leaving the Corps.
John Wayne is dead.
I liked you better in camos.
Well, I enjoyed wearing them.
You were a credit to the uniform.
Thank you for bringing my men out, gunny.
Well, hell, captain, they teach you a few things in the Navy too.
- I just saw Corporal Bell.
He's - Gonna be fine.
I know.
I visited him early this morning.
I hate to see the Corps lose an officer like you, sir.
Just as well.
I don't understand this new Corps.
And I don't think it's right for the country.
I hope you're wrong about that, captain.
Time will tell, commander.
Time will tell.