JAG s03e16 Episode Script
Chains of Command
Panther Tank, this is Firefighter 1-3-2.
I'd like the usual.
One-point-five, if you please.
Sorry, 1-3-2.
All I have to give away is 800 pounds.
Damn! I'll be sucking fumes on final.
Marshall, this is 1-3-2.
Low state.
The tanker doesn't have any giveaway.
How in the hell did that happen? I don't know, sir.
You know the tanker's supposed to report back overhead with 5,000 pounds of giveaway fuel.
You've got less than a thousand! I'm sorry, sir.
I got busy tanking the fighters in the no-fly zone.
This is Firefighter 1-3-2.
Bingo fuel.
I need priority.
You got it, 1-3-2.
Paddles, are you up? Boss, this is Paddles.
I got it.
He's a keeper.
One-three-two, this is Paddles.
We've got a pitching deck.
Hold the gear until I tell you.
Call the ball.
Damn! Port engine just flamed out.
This is 1-3-2.
Ball.
Single engine, low state.
Paddles, keep an eye on this guy.
In a few seconds, he's gonna be outside the ejection envelope.
I'll call the gear.
Come on, baby.
Don't fail me now.
Okay, give me the gear now.
Flame out.
Flame out.
One-three-two, you owe me a case of primo Scotch.
He made it, sir.
You're relieved of duty, Petty Officer Douglas.
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.
Petty Officer Second Class Flannery Douglas is an air traffic controller stationed on the Seahawk.
She made a mistake during operations in the Persian Gulf.
After a near ramp strike - Attention! - As you were.
- The command master chief requested that she report to him below decks in his office.
Petty Officer Douglas claims command master chief asked for sex in exchange for his help.
What kind of help, sir? He offered to go to her division officer and recommend, rather than writing her up and sending her to captain's mast, he restrict her liberty and give her extra military instruction.
Well, that way, it would be kept off her record book.
Sir, are we talking about Master Chief Sullivan? - You know him? - Yes, admiral.
We questioned the master chief during the Crossing the Line incident, sir, if you'll remember.
Well, the master chief does not deny that he requested to meet with her.
He claims he merely counselled her on her professional performance.
He felt that the pressures of life at sea were impacting her work.
How do you want us to proceed, admiral? Well, even the suspicion of misconduct has to be taken seriously, major.
Check out their stories.
Find out if the master chief was using his position for sexual or other favours.
Dismissed.
- Determine the extent of the injuries.
- Yes, sir.
You probably wanna see this.
I have the other one on that desk.
- Oh, right.
Could you show me that? - JAG headquarters.
That should go to the CIA.
Search warrant procedures.
Toilet Paper's Always Special, Bud.
Sir, how's that gonna help me in my Criminal Procedure exam? Toilet Paper's Always Special.
Two prongs, Aguilar-Spinelli.
The rules for obtaining a search warrant based on an anonymous tip.
Right, right.
- Better pack your bags, Bud.
- Ma'am? We're leaving for the Seahawk in two hours, three minutes.
My exam's next week, ma'am.
You'll be back in plenty of time.
The Seahawk.
Toilet Paper's Always Special.
- We met on the Seahawk, Bud.
- Oh, right.
Have you seen my Crim Pro notes? Sometimes you're such a goop.
Master Chief Sullivan's record is spotless.
How long have you known the master chief, captain? As long as I've been skipper of the Seahawk.
- Four months, three days, sir? - Correct.
And in all this time, you've had no reason to doubt his judgement or his integrity? The master chief's a good friend to all enlisted personnel, men and women.
If anyone came to him with a problem, he generally found a way to fix it.
Captain Ross retired one year short of 30 years.
He tendered his resignation on Friday, was a civilian by Monday.
I heard he'd been selected for rear admiral.
If he'd stayed longer, he could've been a battle group commander by now.
So why did he get out so suddenly? Personal reasons.
Wanted more time at home.
I know how he feels.
Mac, why don't you talk to the air boss? Bud and I will check personnel files.
It's easy, ma'am.
We're on the 02 level now.
All you gotta do is take the ladder well up to the flight deck controller, talk to the flight deck control officer or the FLY one or FLY two PO, see if he's up either in the Pri-Fli or down in the hangar deck.
Sounds about right.
- 0-2 to - She was responsible for seeing to it that the tanker held on to 5,000 pounds of fuel for recovery.
But she gave it all away to the fighters over the no-fly zone.
We damn near lost this F-14, ma'am.
He landed short, caught the number one wire, damn near snapped the nose gear.
Tell me how you really feel about Petty Officer Douglas, sir.
Okay.
She would have never made it on this ship if she weren't first-rate, major.
Once onboard, her record was excellent, until she screwed up, ma'am.
Did the command master chief attempt to intercede on her behalf? No.
What would you have done if he'd come to you and asked that you forget the incident? I would have listened to his advice and then made up my mind.
Did he often intercede on behalf of enlisted personnel? He chose his times carefully.
That's why, when he did, I listened.
The master chief always played it straight.
The enlisted men and the officers liked and respected him, ma'am.
No one saw this coming.
What can I say? I screwed up bigtime.
We got busy chasing the bad guys across the no-fly-zone and I gave away too much fuel.
- It can get pretty busy in Pri-Fli.
- That's no excuse, sir.
How do you like carrier life, Petty Officer Douglas? How do I like sleeping 18 to a compartment? Sharing a communal shower? The smell of jet fuel everywhere? I love it, ma'am.
No problems adjusting? Plenty.
But I'm handling it.
- Any problems at home? - Plenty.
That's why I'm here.
What happened after the F-14 landed? The command master chief asked to see me, sir.
The air boss is writing you up for dereliction of duty and sending you up to captain's mast.
- Yes, sir.
- You think that's fair? - I guess.
- It's your tail on the line here.
Yes or no? A lot of things happened all at once, master chief.
I could have done better.
What are you gonna do about it? The decision's not up to me.
Well, Douglas, what if I was to tell you that your fate is in your hands, that you can take charge of your life? I don't understand, master chief.
I want you to think about something, Douglas.
What would it be worth to you to make this go away? You would talk to the air boss, make this disappear? I could.
But then, the question would be: What do I get in return? I'd been in Pri-Fli for seven hours.
I'd just made a mistake that would end my career.
So I took the master chief up on his offer.
What do you mean? I had sex with him, ma'am.
The next morning, I talked to a friend and I was disgusted with myself.
So I decided to come clean.
I'm gonna be honest with you, petty officer.
This is gonna be a tough case.
It's basically your word against his.
Sir, if he did this to me, then he did it to other women.
You can bank on that.
Ma'am, I've got 28 years in.
In two more years, I max out my retirement pay.
You think I'm gonna throw that away by doing something stupid? You're getting a little ahead of yourself.
We're just here to ask a few questions.
No, a thing like this, no matter how it ends up, people are gonna think I did something that I didn't do.
If the complaint is false, do you have any idea why Petty Officer Douglas would file it? Yeah.
By blaming me, she could avoid the trouble she was in.
Why don't you tell us what happened, master chief? I was counselling her on her professional performance.
Enter.
Leave the hatch open, please.
Petty Officer Douglas reporting as ordered, master chief.
At ease, Douglas.
We need to have a talk.
After tonight's incident, it's obvious that you're not paying attention and your work is suffering.
Yes, master chief.
The next time the other ladies go on liberty to have a few brews, you will remain onboard and brush up on your procedures.
I can do that in my spare time, master chief.
As of now, you have no spare time.
I'm gonna lay it on the line here.
The last time you came back at the expiration of liberty, you stumbled on the quarterdeck, you were three sheets to the wind, and you failed to salute the national ensign.
It's been a hard time for me, master chief.
Well, don't make it worse.
Look, knock it off before you ruin your career.
This ship is a small community.
Word gets out, it can affect your performance evaluation.
Petty officer had a problem with alcohol? Major, the average age of the crew on the Seahawk is 21 years old.
Like a lot of young sailors, she just didn't handle it very well, ma'am.
- Thank you, master chief.
- Well, wait.
What happens now? We go back to Washington, sort this out.
You know, it's a funny thing.
I spent my entire career protecting enlisted men from officers.
And now, in the end, the only one I can't protect is myself.
Well, this is by the book, master chief.
Major, I'm not some green seaman recruit you're talking to.
I know how this works.
That book you're talking about was written by politicians and lawyers.
Sure, they throw a few rights to the accused, but you and I both know that once you're accused, your career is basically over.
Master chief, we don't have an axe to grind.
Oh, no? I remember you, major.
You're the one that busted my chops on the Crossing the Line ceremony.
The one that told me that I just didn't get it.
I think you people most definitely have an axe to grind.
You people? Women.
Commander, the Navy's going to hell.
Petty Officer Douglas is the reason that women don't belong.
In the old days, it was considered bad luck to bring a woman onboard.
If you ask me, it still is.
In the old days, it was considered acceptable to castrate the village pervert.
You ask me, it still is.
She claims it was coercion, sir.
If she had sex with the master chief, he promised to keep her out of trouble.
There are no witnesses, sir.
Both parties to the complaint have exemplary records.
Douglas claims that other women were harassed by the master chief, but we haven't discovered any corroborating evidence.
We're checking with the inspector general's office.
Major, you and the commander will prosecute.
Who will be defending, sir? Well, there's been a complication.
Master chief has waived his right to military defence counsel and hired a civilian lawyer.
That was fast.
What, Tiner? Oh, all right.
Send him in.
How is everyone today? Dalton, this isn't a good time.
Sure it is.
Where do you wanna start, admiral? You're the master chief's lawyer? Got a problem with that? I can't believe you didn't tell me.
- This is my case.
- No, this is the master chief's case.
Look, just work with me, Sarah.
Dalton, I'm the investigating attorney.
You know I can't represent the accused.
- How did you get this case? - I was approached.
- By whom? - You know I can't tell you that.
Then it looks like we have nothing to talk about.
So I guess this means dinner's out of the question, right? I think we should stay at arm's length, Dalton.
Right now, I need to square things with the admiral.
You're removing me? Pillow talk, major.
Sir, I do not share a pillow with Dalton Lowne.
And even if I did, I would not talk about the case.
Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't, major.
The major is famous for her discretion, sir.
Major, there can't even be an appearance of a conflict of interest.
- You're excused.
- Yes, sir.
- You need help with this case? - No, sir.
Bud and I can handle it.
Admiral, Lowne bills out at $500 an hour, sir.
Now, where would a master chief get that kind of money? I guess the master chief's got a trust fund we don't know about.
This Lowne Surely, the major could do better.
Yeah.
- Harriet? - Sir? Mr.
Lowne has requested that you handle clerical duties on the Master Chief Sullivan court martial.
- Bud, we need to see Captain Ross.
- Sir.
- He still live in the same place? - Far as I know.
- Set up a time.
- Yes, sir.
Wow, we are gonna be on opposite sides, Bud.
Well, at least you won't have to work with a goop.
What's that supposed to mean? I'm going to disappoint you, Harm.
I have nothing but praise for Master Chief Sullivan.
He always played it by the book.
So you have no idea at all, skipper, why Petty Officer Douglas would claim he harassed her? Same reason they all do.
You You lost me.
Well, then I'll give you a case in point.
Lieutenant Isaacs.
Now, she couldn't cut it.
She made up some charges against the master chief.
It cost Isaacs her life.
Well, skipper, Lieutenant Isaacs is the exception.
I mean, most women have done very well in the Navy.
The ones that didn't, it's the easiest thing in the world to make up some charges.
Got your attention.
What's on your mind, commander? Well, sir, I'm just a little surprised.
I never suspected this side of you.
In your tenure as captain of the Seahawk, you have an excellent record for promoting women and securing them good billets.
I'm retired, commander, so I get to say whatever I want.
When I was in the Navy, I did it the Navy way.
Now, the brass wanted to bring the women along, so I did my damnedest to comply.
I didn't like it then and I don't like it now.
So you have no reason at all to believe that Master Chief Sullivan - would have misused his position? - No.
Master Chief Sullivan has contacted me and asked that I serve as a character witness.
He's an old friend, commander, and a valued colleague.
And what is happening to him, this unsubstantiated accusation of an unhappy woman, is a damn shame.
And you wonder why I chose to retire? I'm Victoria Ross.
It's a pleasure to finally meet you, ma'am.
I'm Lieutenant Commander Rabb.
- This is Lieutenant JG Roberts.
- Ma'am.
We're sorry to have disturbed your afternoon.
I knew your father, commander.
Yes, ma'am, I know.
And although I may not agree with my husband's tone, I passionately believe in what he's saying.
War is a man's calling.
There is no way that women belong on warships.
And shame on the Navy brass for giving in on that issue.
You can't be serious.
That's the best I'm prepared to offer today, counsellor.
Well, my client is not prepared to spend even one day in the brig.
Well, unfortunately, that may not be your client's choice.
We reduce the charge, with good behaviour, he's a free man by Christmas.
I can win this case on the merits, commander.
But I'd like to spare the Navy the embarrassment.
If we go to trial, it's gonna be a war.
What's your offer? All charges against the master chief are dropped immediately.
He retires honourably, with full benefits.
Additionally, Petty Officer Douglas is prosecuted to the full extent of the UCMJ for filing a false report.
See you in court.
Josh's birthday is coming up in three weeks and I'm wondering if you can cut him loose for a weekend? L Don't say no now.
Just think about it, all right? Yeah.
Someone's at the door.
I gotta go.
But, you know, I really think we should get together soon.
Okay.
You know what? I'll call you later.
Okay, bye.
- Congresswoman Latham.
- Commander.
- Nice.
- Come in.
Mind if I have a seat? Make yourself at home.
Well, I can't say that I'm surprised to see you.
You think I'm here because the victim's a woman? Well, you are the champion of women's rights.
I'm also serving on the House Armed Forces Committee.
You know, it's given me a new appreciation of what military means to American life.
Look, I know we've had our disagreements, but I've never lied to you.
She the one you were telling me about? Yeah.
Did you finally tell her how you felt about her? Yes, took your advice.
Oh, how's it going? Conflicting lifestyles.
Really? Look, this case has the potential of causing great harm to the Navy.
I know who's paying Dalton Lowne's legal fees.
Lane Black.
He's the founder of the National Patriot's Foundation.
Lane Black.
Now, why would Lane Black hire a bigtime lawyer to defend a smalltime sailor? Because he's gonna try everything within his power to prove that women do not belong in the military.
You're peeking.
Come on.
You were peeking.
Hey, don't be a jerk.
Don't call me a jerk.
Or goop.
It really ticks me off.
Hey.
Hey, just because you can't handle the pressures of law school doesn't mean you should snap at me.
Look, Harriet, I got a lot riding on law school.
Not everybody can be born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
- Don't be such a baby.
- Whatever.
Be right there.
- I called seven times.
- Eight.
I came here to argue my case.
You know I can't talk about that.
My case.
Okay.
So correct me if I'm wrong, but according to the UCMJ, the accused has the right to a civilian attorney if he wants one, right? - Yeah.
- Okay.
So would you deny the accused the right to pick a good lawyer - to defend him? - Of course not.
- Would you stand in his way? - Absolutely not.
Okay, so when the master chief came to my firm and I was assigned the case, what was I supposed to do, walk away? You didn't solicit his business? I'm not an ambulance chaser, Sarah.
I just do my job.
I knew you were gonna be angry about this, but that's between us.
My duty is to the master chief.
I know you got something to say about this and I wanna hear it.
But I also wanna get something to eat because I'm hungry.
So I was thinking maybe I could take you to dinner.
I won't be easy on you.
I wasn't expecting you to be.
- I need 20 minutes.
- I'm not going anywhere.
So where do you wanna go tonight? Your choice.
Jean-Louis.
Wow, you don't come cheap.
Hey, you make $500 an hour.
I think you can afford it.
All right.
Jean-Louis it is.
Sir, may I speak with you for a moment? - Sure, Bud.
- Not here.
In your office.
So that no one can overhear.
Sir, I contacted 63 women who were onboard the Seahawk when Master Chief Sullivan was command master chief.
All of them deny that they were approached for sex by the master chief.
What about the list Petty Officer Douglas gave us? Two of them, they're out of the service.
We don't have a good address on them.
Two others who are on active duty denied ever being approached.
And the fifth, which is a reservist, says that she will not come forward voluntarily.
Her name is Jane Klee.
She reportedly filed a complaint against the master chief and then later withdrew it.
Immediately following, Captain Ross found her a plum assignment at the Pentagon.
Well, it looks like sleeping with the master chief is a great career booster.
Oh, Lieutenant Roberts, good to see you again.
Congresswoman, it's a pleasure.
Bud, we're in court this afternoon, so have Mac talk to Jane Klee.
Yes, sir.
Look, I did a little digging.
Lane Black has hired a team of private investigators.
They're dredging up whatever they can from Petty Officer Douglas' past.
And it turns out that, well, she does have a juvenile court record.
- Well, they can't get that.
It's sealed.
- No, they paid off some clerk.
- Look, Dalton Low is holding a press - Lowne, as in clown.
He's holding a press conference tonight.
Lane Black wants Petty Officer Douglas picked to pieces.
How do you get this information, Ms.
Latham? - Bobbi.
- Bobbi.
That's when I decided the hell with it, have sex with him.
Why didn't you just walk away? He offered me an opportunity to save my Navy career if I did what he wanted.
Did master chief use those exact words? He didn't need to.
Everyone knew how it worked.
- Objection.
Speculation.
- Sustained.
Petty Officer Douglas, did you ever discuss Master Chief Sullivan with any other women aboard ship? - Objection.
Hearsay.
- Overruled.
- You may answer the question.
- Yes.
Did any of these women indicate to you that Master Chief Sullivan had offered to intervene on their behalf in exchange for sexual favours? Objection.
Hearsay.
Your Honour, I am trying to establish a pattern of conduct.
Commander, if you have other witnesses who can provide direct testimony, call them.
Objection sustained.
Do you have any other questions for this witness? No, sir.
No further questions.
The court will recess until tomorrow morning.
- Mrs.
Klee? - Got it.
I'm Major Sarah MacKenzie, JAG Corps.
I'm in a hurry.
I need to speak with you about Master Chief Sullivan.
Got it.
I need to get my kids to soccer practise.
Dick, Brent, come on.
Let's get in the car.
Come on, sweetie.
I know what he did.
You don't know anything.
I know that you were one of his victims.
Really? Major, if there is one thing I am in life, it is not a victim.
Please.
He doesn't know anything.
This will destroy him.
- Hey.
- Hey.
What's going on? I wanted to go south on the beltway.
I must have got turned around.
Oh, by a country mile.
Go down three miles till you hit the light, turn right on Little Falls.
- It'll get you to the beltway.
- Sorry to bother you.
Hey, major.
My wife was in the service.
U.
S.
Navy.
It's a great life, sir.
How can the Navy bring charges against Master Chief Sullivan, an enlisted man, when they don't bring charges against officers who have been accused of the same offences? I have here the names of five flag officers accused of adultery - and sexual harassment.
- Where did he get that? Two of them are still in uniform.
Three of them were allowed to retire without any charges being filed whatsoever.
So the question remains, are there two standards? Are enlisted men held to a higher standard? - I need a number, Roberta.
- That's the question I want answered.
Master Chief Sullivan is the victim of selective prosecution.
And if this verdict goes against him, this list will become public.
One man will not take the blame for the sins of others.
Gee, I wonder how Dalton Lowne got ahold of that list? - I had nothing to do with it.
- Really? - Really.
- Well, somebody did.
Bud, stop acting like a spoiled little child.
Don't talk to me like that.
Sometimes the truth hurts.
Oh, but it's all right just to say whatever pops into your mind? I think it's important when two people love one another that they're honest, yeah.
Well, I don't tell you everything that I think about you.
I wish you would.
It might make our relationship better.
Okay.
I really don't like the way that you correct me in front of other people.
Okay, good.
And while we're being honest, I don't like the fact that you accuse me of spying on your cases.
I don't like the fact that you tease me about my Star Trek stuff.
And I don't like the fact that you get jealous every time a man just looks at me.
You know, I really don't like those silly little dresses that you wear.
It makes you look like my grandma.
Your grandma? Where did you get that list? - Off your desk.
- You used me.
- Oh, this is not about you.
- You go through papers on my desk Okay, well, first of all, the folder was lying open.
How was I to know whether you wanted me to see it or not? - You violated my trust.
- Listen to me for a moment.
I have an obligation to aggressively represent my client.
What kind of lawyer would I be if I didn't take advantage of that? The officers whose names you're gonna reveal have wives and children.
They should have thought of that before they had affairs.
You're gonna ruin how many lives - You think I'll release those names? - Yes.
Then you disappoint me, Sarah.
The judge will never allow those in.
- Then why? - Because! Because the five men judging the master chief read the papers.
Maybe I can convince one or two of them to think twice before they slam him.
I shouldn't have come here tonight.
This was a bad idea.
Why don't we just take some time? It's over, Dalton.
Don't say that.
It's said.
I'm not gonna let you go, Sarah.
Petty Officer Douglas, Commander Rabb has done his best to anticipate my questions, - so this should only take a minute.
- That would be a relief, sir.
It'll be up to this distinguished panel to decide whether the allegations against Master Chief Sullivan are true or false.
Your Honour, is counsel going to ask a question? - Get to the point, Mr.
Lowne.
- Yes, Your Honour.
Petty Officer Douglas, prior to January 7th, you'd had other interactions with the master chief.
- Isn't that true? - Objection.
Relevance.
Your Honour, the prior interactions go to motivation on the part of Petty Officer Douglas in making false allegations against the master chief.
Overruled, commander.
Petty Officer Douglas, you will answer Mr.
Lowne's question.
- Yes.
- How many occasions? Two.
And on one of these occasions, you returned from liberty late.
- Yes.
- And isn't it also true that you told the master chief that you would "do anything to make the problem go away"? Yes, sir.
And did the master chief tell you at the time that you had to face the consequences of your actions? Yes.
And the second time that you had a personal interaction with him, you'd returned from liberty intoxicated.
Yes, sir.
And what did the master chief do at that time? He assigned me extra watches.
So the master chief didn't ask for any personal favours on either of these occasions, did he? No, sir.
Petty Officer Douglas, three years ago, you made an allegation of sexual misconduct against your stepfather, didn't you? - Yes.
- And despite your allegation, your stepfather was never charged with any crime, was he? No.
Thank you, Petty Officer Douglas.
The defence has no further questions at this time.
I was blindsided in there, Petty Officer Douglas.
Anything else you haven't told me? I've done things I'm not proud of.
Stuff I'd like to put in the past.
- I didn't think it was relevant.
- You didn't? The fact that you had a problem for which Master Chief Sullivan had to intercede is relevant.
The fact that you brought sexual assault charges against another man in the past is relevant.
Close the door, Bud.
It goes to credibility.
My stepfather did what I said he did.
My mother covered for him and the cops decided I was just a lying bitch out to do him dirt.
- You believe me? - Yes.
- No doubts? - No doubts.
Sir, Jane Klee, the information about her promotion, I cross-referenced that with the list that Petty Officer Douglas gave us.
There's an interesting pattern.
I'm gonna need this list this afternoon, Bud.
Master Chief Sullivan is a man of impeccable character.
He did his job in an exemplary manner.
I never heard a complaint against him.
He was well-respected.
Do you believe the charges against him? Objection, Your Honour.
Calls for speculation.
Sustained.
Move on, counsellor.
Thank you, captain.
I have no further questions.
Captain Ross, you served with Master Chief Sullivan for three years.
As stated.
You never found fault with his conduct in all that time? No.
Did you order the master chief to keep down the number of enlisted personnel brought before captain's mast? - Yes.
- So you relied on his judgement? Yes.
Captain, did you recommend that 17 female enlisted personnel be given special consideration and transfers and promotions? I don't recall the number.
Well, what number sounds right to you, captain? It was 17.
Did Master Chief Sullivan request that you give these 17 women their special consideration? What does this line of questioning have to do with? Your Honour, there is a direct causal link between these promotions and transfers and Master Chief Sullivan's conduct.
And Captain Ross has been covering that up.
- Your Honour! - Commander Rabb, I'm gonna order those remarks be stricken from the record and if you do something like that again, I will hold you in contempt.
- It'll be all right.
- Really? Yeah.
Good afternoon, Mrs.
Ross.
Is that the very best you can do, commander? Blacken the reputation of a good officer with unfounded allegations? You wanna take a look at this? Or do you already know what's in here? You're a cruel man.
Your husband was a friend of my father's, Mrs.
Ross, well-respected and an excellent officer.
Now, why would he resign one year short of a full retirement? To spend time with me, commander.
I was a falling-down drunk.
He came home to get me help.
I've been sober for three months now.
When we were stationed in Norfolk and I was ashamed to go to the package store for liquor, Master Chief Sullivan would get me booze on the sly.
He destroyed my husband.
Mrs.
Ross, I am not out to destroy you.
But there is a young girl in that courtroom, one of God knows how many women the master chief has harmed.
You and I know that.
Only I can't prove that unless someone steps forward, someone who knows the truth.
Your Honour, at this time, I would like to call Victoria Ross as a prosecution witness.
- Is the witness available? - Yes, sir.
She is in the courtroom.
- Why are you doing this? - I was not informed of this witness.
I wanna start over again.
The only way that's gonna happen is to tell the truth.
We built a life once.
We can do it again.
We can't build a new life on a lie.
Overruled, Mr.
Lowne.
Commander, you may call the witness, but tread carefully.
Put me on the stand instead.
Captain Ross, you previously testified that you had no evidence that Master Chief Sullivan was soliciting sex from the female enlisted personnel under your command.
Would you like to change that testimony, sir? Yes.
Are you willing to describe for the members the knowledge you have about the charges brought against master chief? Yes.
How did you find out what he was doing, sir? Several of the women complained about him.
How did you handle the complaints? I offered to transfer them off the ship into other commands.
In exchange for what, sir? Their silence.
Why did you do this, captain? My career was at stake.
The master chief was blackmailing me.
I brought a woman home one night late from an embassy reception in Hong Kong.
She spent the night with me in my under way cabin.
And the next morning, the master chief caught her leaving the ship with the other civilians.
- Did he tell anyone? - No.
Did he threaten to tell your wife, sir? Yes.
Why are you telling me this now, captain? Because it weighs heavily on my conscience, commander.
Because I want my wife to know what kind of a man I've become.
And because I have decided to do the honourable thing and testify, instead of forcing my wife to live in a prison of lies.
Thank you, captain.
No further questions, Your Honour.
They've been out a long time.
That's not necessarily a bad sign.
They have a lot to consider.
They're coming back in.
Captain Crandall, have the members come to a decision regarding these charges? Yes, Your Honour.
Master Chief Sullivan, would you and your counsel please stand? - Captain? - Master Chief Sullivan, this court finds you guilty of all the charges and specifications.
Order.
All right, order.
This court's adjourned.
What can I get you, sir? - A double bourbon, straight up.
- You got it.
- A double bourbon, straight up.
Enjoy.
- Thanks.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- How are you doing? - Been better.
- Ma'am? - Tonic water with a squeeze of lime.
This bother you? It's your drink, not mine.
Okay.
Now, that bothers me.
Congratulations.
- Yeah.
- Enjoy.
Yep.
So why don't I feel good about it? Because a lot of people got hurt.
- Dalton? - Gone.
Is that a bad thing? You never liked him.
I just felt you could do better, Mac, you know.
I thought he was pretty good.
You're a good-looking woman.
You're smart.
Of course, you do have a tattoo.
Every now and then, I catch you being nice.
Well, keep it to yourself, all right? I got a reputation to protect.
- Hi.
- Hey, Bud.
Do not order anything with umbrellas, Bud.
- Can I get you a cocktail, sir? - I'll take a beer, please.
Harriet hates me.
Bud, she's just mad at you.
She hasn't talked to me in three days.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, Bud.
- Send her flowers.
- She ought to send me flowers.
You tried talking to her? Tell her you're sorry.
I'm not sorry.
I mean, I'm sorry that it all went blooey.
But I've been thinking about that stuff for a long time and it kind of just popped out.
Hey, Bud, your problem is you don't know how to fight.
And everything was going so great.
And now it's not.
Bud, nothing with a woman is ever great all the time.
Hell, you're lucky if you get five good days a month.
Oh, where do I start? You know what I'm talking about, Mac.
I mean, humans with the opposing sex.
Opposite sex.
You're lucky, commander.
You got Annie.
No, I don't, Bud.
It's not looking good right now.
All I really have are you two.
- Think how we feel.
- Think how we feel.
What becomes Of the broken-hearted Who had love that's now departed? I know I've got to find Some kind of peace of mind - Baby - Maybe Maybe?
I'd like the usual.
One-point-five, if you please.
Sorry, 1-3-2.
All I have to give away is 800 pounds.
Damn! I'll be sucking fumes on final.
Marshall, this is 1-3-2.
Low state.
The tanker doesn't have any giveaway.
How in the hell did that happen? I don't know, sir.
You know the tanker's supposed to report back overhead with 5,000 pounds of giveaway fuel.
You've got less than a thousand! I'm sorry, sir.
I got busy tanking the fighters in the no-fly zone.
This is Firefighter 1-3-2.
Bingo fuel.
I need priority.
You got it, 1-3-2.
Paddles, are you up? Boss, this is Paddles.
I got it.
He's a keeper.
One-three-two, this is Paddles.
We've got a pitching deck.
Hold the gear until I tell you.
Call the ball.
Damn! Port engine just flamed out.
This is 1-3-2.
Ball.
Single engine, low state.
Paddles, keep an eye on this guy.
In a few seconds, he's gonna be outside the ejection envelope.
I'll call the gear.
Come on, baby.
Don't fail me now.
Okay, give me the gear now.
Flame out.
Flame out.
One-three-two, you owe me a case of primo Scotch.
He made it, sir.
You're relieved of duty, Petty Officer Douglas.
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.
Petty Officer Second Class Flannery Douglas is an air traffic controller stationed on the Seahawk.
She made a mistake during operations in the Persian Gulf.
After a near ramp strike - Attention! - As you were.
- The command master chief requested that she report to him below decks in his office.
Petty Officer Douglas claims command master chief asked for sex in exchange for his help.
What kind of help, sir? He offered to go to her division officer and recommend, rather than writing her up and sending her to captain's mast, he restrict her liberty and give her extra military instruction.
Well, that way, it would be kept off her record book.
Sir, are we talking about Master Chief Sullivan? - You know him? - Yes, admiral.
We questioned the master chief during the Crossing the Line incident, sir, if you'll remember.
Well, the master chief does not deny that he requested to meet with her.
He claims he merely counselled her on her professional performance.
He felt that the pressures of life at sea were impacting her work.
How do you want us to proceed, admiral? Well, even the suspicion of misconduct has to be taken seriously, major.
Check out their stories.
Find out if the master chief was using his position for sexual or other favours.
Dismissed.
- Determine the extent of the injuries.
- Yes, sir.
You probably wanna see this.
I have the other one on that desk.
- Oh, right.
Could you show me that? - JAG headquarters.
That should go to the CIA.
Search warrant procedures.
Toilet Paper's Always Special, Bud.
Sir, how's that gonna help me in my Criminal Procedure exam? Toilet Paper's Always Special.
Two prongs, Aguilar-Spinelli.
The rules for obtaining a search warrant based on an anonymous tip.
Right, right.
- Better pack your bags, Bud.
- Ma'am? We're leaving for the Seahawk in two hours, three minutes.
My exam's next week, ma'am.
You'll be back in plenty of time.
The Seahawk.
Toilet Paper's Always Special.
- We met on the Seahawk, Bud.
- Oh, right.
Have you seen my Crim Pro notes? Sometimes you're such a goop.
Master Chief Sullivan's record is spotless.
How long have you known the master chief, captain? As long as I've been skipper of the Seahawk.
- Four months, three days, sir? - Correct.
And in all this time, you've had no reason to doubt his judgement or his integrity? The master chief's a good friend to all enlisted personnel, men and women.
If anyone came to him with a problem, he generally found a way to fix it.
Captain Ross retired one year short of 30 years.
He tendered his resignation on Friday, was a civilian by Monday.
I heard he'd been selected for rear admiral.
If he'd stayed longer, he could've been a battle group commander by now.
So why did he get out so suddenly? Personal reasons.
Wanted more time at home.
I know how he feels.
Mac, why don't you talk to the air boss? Bud and I will check personnel files.
It's easy, ma'am.
We're on the 02 level now.
All you gotta do is take the ladder well up to the flight deck controller, talk to the flight deck control officer or the FLY one or FLY two PO, see if he's up either in the Pri-Fli or down in the hangar deck.
Sounds about right.
- 0-2 to - She was responsible for seeing to it that the tanker held on to 5,000 pounds of fuel for recovery.
But she gave it all away to the fighters over the no-fly zone.
We damn near lost this F-14, ma'am.
He landed short, caught the number one wire, damn near snapped the nose gear.
Tell me how you really feel about Petty Officer Douglas, sir.
Okay.
She would have never made it on this ship if she weren't first-rate, major.
Once onboard, her record was excellent, until she screwed up, ma'am.
Did the command master chief attempt to intercede on her behalf? No.
What would you have done if he'd come to you and asked that you forget the incident? I would have listened to his advice and then made up my mind.
Did he often intercede on behalf of enlisted personnel? He chose his times carefully.
That's why, when he did, I listened.
The master chief always played it straight.
The enlisted men and the officers liked and respected him, ma'am.
No one saw this coming.
What can I say? I screwed up bigtime.
We got busy chasing the bad guys across the no-fly-zone and I gave away too much fuel.
- It can get pretty busy in Pri-Fli.
- That's no excuse, sir.
How do you like carrier life, Petty Officer Douglas? How do I like sleeping 18 to a compartment? Sharing a communal shower? The smell of jet fuel everywhere? I love it, ma'am.
No problems adjusting? Plenty.
But I'm handling it.
- Any problems at home? - Plenty.
That's why I'm here.
What happened after the F-14 landed? The command master chief asked to see me, sir.
The air boss is writing you up for dereliction of duty and sending you up to captain's mast.
- Yes, sir.
- You think that's fair? - I guess.
- It's your tail on the line here.
Yes or no? A lot of things happened all at once, master chief.
I could have done better.
What are you gonna do about it? The decision's not up to me.
Well, Douglas, what if I was to tell you that your fate is in your hands, that you can take charge of your life? I don't understand, master chief.
I want you to think about something, Douglas.
What would it be worth to you to make this go away? You would talk to the air boss, make this disappear? I could.
But then, the question would be: What do I get in return? I'd been in Pri-Fli for seven hours.
I'd just made a mistake that would end my career.
So I took the master chief up on his offer.
What do you mean? I had sex with him, ma'am.
The next morning, I talked to a friend and I was disgusted with myself.
So I decided to come clean.
I'm gonna be honest with you, petty officer.
This is gonna be a tough case.
It's basically your word against his.
Sir, if he did this to me, then he did it to other women.
You can bank on that.
Ma'am, I've got 28 years in.
In two more years, I max out my retirement pay.
You think I'm gonna throw that away by doing something stupid? You're getting a little ahead of yourself.
We're just here to ask a few questions.
No, a thing like this, no matter how it ends up, people are gonna think I did something that I didn't do.
If the complaint is false, do you have any idea why Petty Officer Douglas would file it? Yeah.
By blaming me, she could avoid the trouble she was in.
Why don't you tell us what happened, master chief? I was counselling her on her professional performance.
Enter.
Leave the hatch open, please.
Petty Officer Douglas reporting as ordered, master chief.
At ease, Douglas.
We need to have a talk.
After tonight's incident, it's obvious that you're not paying attention and your work is suffering.
Yes, master chief.
The next time the other ladies go on liberty to have a few brews, you will remain onboard and brush up on your procedures.
I can do that in my spare time, master chief.
As of now, you have no spare time.
I'm gonna lay it on the line here.
The last time you came back at the expiration of liberty, you stumbled on the quarterdeck, you were three sheets to the wind, and you failed to salute the national ensign.
It's been a hard time for me, master chief.
Well, don't make it worse.
Look, knock it off before you ruin your career.
This ship is a small community.
Word gets out, it can affect your performance evaluation.
Petty officer had a problem with alcohol? Major, the average age of the crew on the Seahawk is 21 years old.
Like a lot of young sailors, she just didn't handle it very well, ma'am.
- Thank you, master chief.
- Well, wait.
What happens now? We go back to Washington, sort this out.
You know, it's a funny thing.
I spent my entire career protecting enlisted men from officers.
And now, in the end, the only one I can't protect is myself.
Well, this is by the book, master chief.
Major, I'm not some green seaman recruit you're talking to.
I know how this works.
That book you're talking about was written by politicians and lawyers.
Sure, they throw a few rights to the accused, but you and I both know that once you're accused, your career is basically over.
Master chief, we don't have an axe to grind.
Oh, no? I remember you, major.
You're the one that busted my chops on the Crossing the Line ceremony.
The one that told me that I just didn't get it.
I think you people most definitely have an axe to grind.
You people? Women.
Commander, the Navy's going to hell.
Petty Officer Douglas is the reason that women don't belong.
In the old days, it was considered bad luck to bring a woman onboard.
If you ask me, it still is.
In the old days, it was considered acceptable to castrate the village pervert.
You ask me, it still is.
She claims it was coercion, sir.
If she had sex with the master chief, he promised to keep her out of trouble.
There are no witnesses, sir.
Both parties to the complaint have exemplary records.
Douglas claims that other women were harassed by the master chief, but we haven't discovered any corroborating evidence.
We're checking with the inspector general's office.
Major, you and the commander will prosecute.
Who will be defending, sir? Well, there's been a complication.
Master chief has waived his right to military defence counsel and hired a civilian lawyer.
That was fast.
What, Tiner? Oh, all right.
Send him in.
How is everyone today? Dalton, this isn't a good time.
Sure it is.
Where do you wanna start, admiral? You're the master chief's lawyer? Got a problem with that? I can't believe you didn't tell me.
- This is my case.
- No, this is the master chief's case.
Look, just work with me, Sarah.
Dalton, I'm the investigating attorney.
You know I can't represent the accused.
- How did you get this case? - I was approached.
- By whom? - You know I can't tell you that.
Then it looks like we have nothing to talk about.
So I guess this means dinner's out of the question, right? I think we should stay at arm's length, Dalton.
Right now, I need to square things with the admiral.
You're removing me? Pillow talk, major.
Sir, I do not share a pillow with Dalton Lowne.
And even if I did, I would not talk about the case.
Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't, major.
The major is famous for her discretion, sir.
Major, there can't even be an appearance of a conflict of interest.
- You're excused.
- Yes, sir.
- You need help with this case? - No, sir.
Bud and I can handle it.
Admiral, Lowne bills out at $500 an hour, sir.
Now, where would a master chief get that kind of money? I guess the master chief's got a trust fund we don't know about.
This Lowne Surely, the major could do better.
Yeah.
- Harriet? - Sir? Mr.
Lowne has requested that you handle clerical duties on the Master Chief Sullivan court martial.
- Bud, we need to see Captain Ross.
- Sir.
- He still live in the same place? - Far as I know.
- Set up a time.
- Yes, sir.
Wow, we are gonna be on opposite sides, Bud.
Well, at least you won't have to work with a goop.
What's that supposed to mean? I'm going to disappoint you, Harm.
I have nothing but praise for Master Chief Sullivan.
He always played it by the book.
So you have no idea at all, skipper, why Petty Officer Douglas would claim he harassed her? Same reason they all do.
You You lost me.
Well, then I'll give you a case in point.
Lieutenant Isaacs.
Now, she couldn't cut it.
She made up some charges against the master chief.
It cost Isaacs her life.
Well, skipper, Lieutenant Isaacs is the exception.
I mean, most women have done very well in the Navy.
The ones that didn't, it's the easiest thing in the world to make up some charges.
Got your attention.
What's on your mind, commander? Well, sir, I'm just a little surprised.
I never suspected this side of you.
In your tenure as captain of the Seahawk, you have an excellent record for promoting women and securing them good billets.
I'm retired, commander, so I get to say whatever I want.
When I was in the Navy, I did it the Navy way.
Now, the brass wanted to bring the women along, so I did my damnedest to comply.
I didn't like it then and I don't like it now.
So you have no reason at all to believe that Master Chief Sullivan - would have misused his position? - No.
Master Chief Sullivan has contacted me and asked that I serve as a character witness.
He's an old friend, commander, and a valued colleague.
And what is happening to him, this unsubstantiated accusation of an unhappy woman, is a damn shame.
And you wonder why I chose to retire? I'm Victoria Ross.
It's a pleasure to finally meet you, ma'am.
I'm Lieutenant Commander Rabb.
- This is Lieutenant JG Roberts.
- Ma'am.
We're sorry to have disturbed your afternoon.
I knew your father, commander.
Yes, ma'am, I know.
And although I may not agree with my husband's tone, I passionately believe in what he's saying.
War is a man's calling.
There is no way that women belong on warships.
And shame on the Navy brass for giving in on that issue.
You can't be serious.
That's the best I'm prepared to offer today, counsellor.
Well, my client is not prepared to spend even one day in the brig.
Well, unfortunately, that may not be your client's choice.
We reduce the charge, with good behaviour, he's a free man by Christmas.
I can win this case on the merits, commander.
But I'd like to spare the Navy the embarrassment.
If we go to trial, it's gonna be a war.
What's your offer? All charges against the master chief are dropped immediately.
He retires honourably, with full benefits.
Additionally, Petty Officer Douglas is prosecuted to the full extent of the UCMJ for filing a false report.
See you in court.
Josh's birthday is coming up in three weeks and I'm wondering if you can cut him loose for a weekend? L Don't say no now.
Just think about it, all right? Yeah.
Someone's at the door.
I gotta go.
But, you know, I really think we should get together soon.
Okay.
You know what? I'll call you later.
Okay, bye.
- Congresswoman Latham.
- Commander.
- Nice.
- Come in.
Mind if I have a seat? Make yourself at home.
Well, I can't say that I'm surprised to see you.
You think I'm here because the victim's a woman? Well, you are the champion of women's rights.
I'm also serving on the House Armed Forces Committee.
You know, it's given me a new appreciation of what military means to American life.
Look, I know we've had our disagreements, but I've never lied to you.
She the one you were telling me about? Yeah.
Did you finally tell her how you felt about her? Yes, took your advice.
Oh, how's it going? Conflicting lifestyles.
Really? Look, this case has the potential of causing great harm to the Navy.
I know who's paying Dalton Lowne's legal fees.
Lane Black.
He's the founder of the National Patriot's Foundation.
Lane Black.
Now, why would Lane Black hire a bigtime lawyer to defend a smalltime sailor? Because he's gonna try everything within his power to prove that women do not belong in the military.
You're peeking.
Come on.
You were peeking.
Hey, don't be a jerk.
Don't call me a jerk.
Or goop.
It really ticks me off.
Hey.
Hey, just because you can't handle the pressures of law school doesn't mean you should snap at me.
Look, Harriet, I got a lot riding on law school.
Not everybody can be born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
- Don't be such a baby.
- Whatever.
Be right there.
- I called seven times.
- Eight.
I came here to argue my case.
You know I can't talk about that.
My case.
Okay.
So correct me if I'm wrong, but according to the UCMJ, the accused has the right to a civilian attorney if he wants one, right? - Yeah.
- Okay.
So would you deny the accused the right to pick a good lawyer - to defend him? - Of course not.
- Would you stand in his way? - Absolutely not.
Okay, so when the master chief came to my firm and I was assigned the case, what was I supposed to do, walk away? You didn't solicit his business? I'm not an ambulance chaser, Sarah.
I just do my job.
I knew you were gonna be angry about this, but that's between us.
My duty is to the master chief.
I know you got something to say about this and I wanna hear it.
But I also wanna get something to eat because I'm hungry.
So I was thinking maybe I could take you to dinner.
I won't be easy on you.
I wasn't expecting you to be.
- I need 20 minutes.
- I'm not going anywhere.
So where do you wanna go tonight? Your choice.
Jean-Louis.
Wow, you don't come cheap.
Hey, you make $500 an hour.
I think you can afford it.
All right.
Jean-Louis it is.
Sir, may I speak with you for a moment? - Sure, Bud.
- Not here.
In your office.
So that no one can overhear.
Sir, I contacted 63 women who were onboard the Seahawk when Master Chief Sullivan was command master chief.
All of them deny that they were approached for sex by the master chief.
What about the list Petty Officer Douglas gave us? Two of them, they're out of the service.
We don't have a good address on them.
Two others who are on active duty denied ever being approached.
And the fifth, which is a reservist, says that she will not come forward voluntarily.
Her name is Jane Klee.
She reportedly filed a complaint against the master chief and then later withdrew it.
Immediately following, Captain Ross found her a plum assignment at the Pentagon.
Well, it looks like sleeping with the master chief is a great career booster.
Oh, Lieutenant Roberts, good to see you again.
Congresswoman, it's a pleasure.
Bud, we're in court this afternoon, so have Mac talk to Jane Klee.
Yes, sir.
Look, I did a little digging.
Lane Black has hired a team of private investigators.
They're dredging up whatever they can from Petty Officer Douglas' past.
And it turns out that, well, she does have a juvenile court record.
- Well, they can't get that.
It's sealed.
- No, they paid off some clerk.
- Look, Dalton Low is holding a press - Lowne, as in clown.
He's holding a press conference tonight.
Lane Black wants Petty Officer Douglas picked to pieces.
How do you get this information, Ms.
Latham? - Bobbi.
- Bobbi.
That's when I decided the hell with it, have sex with him.
Why didn't you just walk away? He offered me an opportunity to save my Navy career if I did what he wanted.
Did master chief use those exact words? He didn't need to.
Everyone knew how it worked.
- Objection.
Speculation.
- Sustained.
Petty Officer Douglas, did you ever discuss Master Chief Sullivan with any other women aboard ship? - Objection.
Hearsay.
- Overruled.
- You may answer the question.
- Yes.
Did any of these women indicate to you that Master Chief Sullivan had offered to intervene on their behalf in exchange for sexual favours? Objection.
Hearsay.
Your Honour, I am trying to establish a pattern of conduct.
Commander, if you have other witnesses who can provide direct testimony, call them.
Objection sustained.
Do you have any other questions for this witness? No, sir.
No further questions.
The court will recess until tomorrow morning.
- Mrs.
Klee? - Got it.
I'm Major Sarah MacKenzie, JAG Corps.
I'm in a hurry.
I need to speak with you about Master Chief Sullivan.
Got it.
I need to get my kids to soccer practise.
Dick, Brent, come on.
Let's get in the car.
Come on, sweetie.
I know what he did.
You don't know anything.
I know that you were one of his victims.
Really? Major, if there is one thing I am in life, it is not a victim.
Please.
He doesn't know anything.
This will destroy him.
- Hey.
- Hey.
What's going on? I wanted to go south on the beltway.
I must have got turned around.
Oh, by a country mile.
Go down three miles till you hit the light, turn right on Little Falls.
- It'll get you to the beltway.
- Sorry to bother you.
Hey, major.
My wife was in the service.
U.
S.
Navy.
It's a great life, sir.
How can the Navy bring charges against Master Chief Sullivan, an enlisted man, when they don't bring charges against officers who have been accused of the same offences? I have here the names of five flag officers accused of adultery - and sexual harassment.
- Where did he get that? Two of them are still in uniform.
Three of them were allowed to retire without any charges being filed whatsoever.
So the question remains, are there two standards? Are enlisted men held to a higher standard? - I need a number, Roberta.
- That's the question I want answered.
Master Chief Sullivan is the victim of selective prosecution.
And if this verdict goes against him, this list will become public.
One man will not take the blame for the sins of others.
Gee, I wonder how Dalton Lowne got ahold of that list? - I had nothing to do with it.
- Really? - Really.
- Well, somebody did.
Bud, stop acting like a spoiled little child.
Don't talk to me like that.
Sometimes the truth hurts.
Oh, but it's all right just to say whatever pops into your mind? I think it's important when two people love one another that they're honest, yeah.
Well, I don't tell you everything that I think about you.
I wish you would.
It might make our relationship better.
Okay.
I really don't like the way that you correct me in front of other people.
Okay, good.
And while we're being honest, I don't like the fact that you accuse me of spying on your cases.
I don't like the fact that you tease me about my Star Trek stuff.
And I don't like the fact that you get jealous every time a man just looks at me.
You know, I really don't like those silly little dresses that you wear.
It makes you look like my grandma.
Your grandma? Where did you get that list? - Off your desk.
- You used me.
- Oh, this is not about you.
- You go through papers on my desk Okay, well, first of all, the folder was lying open.
How was I to know whether you wanted me to see it or not? - You violated my trust.
- Listen to me for a moment.
I have an obligation to aggressively represent my client.
What kind of lawyer would I be if I didn't take advantage of that? The officers whose names you're gonna reveal have wives and children.
They should have thought of that before they had affairs.
You're gonna ruin how many lives - You think I'll release those names? - Yes.
Then you disappoint me, Sarah.
The judge will never allow those in.
- Then why? - Because! Because the five men judging the master chief read the papers.
Maybe I can convince one or two of them to think twice before they slam him.
I shouldn't have come here tonight.
This was a bad idea.
Why don't we just take some time? It's over, Dalton.
Don't say that.
It's said.
I'm not gonna let you go, Sarah.
Petty Officer Douglas, Commander Rabb has done his best to anticipate my questions, - so this should only take a minute.
- That would be a relief, sir.
It'll be up to this distinguished panel to decide whether the allegations against Master Chief Sullivan are true or false.
Your Honour, is counsel going to ask a question? - Get to the point, Mr.
Lowne.
- Yes, Your Honour.
Petty Officer Douglas, prior to January 7th, you'd had other interactions with the master chief.
- Isn't that true? - Objection.
Relevance.
Your Honour, the prior interactions go to motivation on the part of Petty Officer Douglas in making false allegations against the master chief.
Overruled, commander.
Petty Officer Douglas, you will answer Mr.
Lowne's question.
- Yes.
- How many occasions? Two.
And on one of these occasions, you returned from liberty late.
- Yes.
- And isn't it also true that you told the master chief that you would "do anything to make the problem go away"? Yes, sir.
And did the master chief tell you at the time that you had to face the consequences of your actions? Yes.
And the second time that you had a personal interaction with him, you'd returned from liberty intoxicated.
Yes, sir.
And what did the master chief do at that time? He assigned me extra watches.
So the master chief didn't ask for any personal favours on either of these occasions, did he? No, sir.
Petty Officer Douglas, three years ago, you made an allegation of sexual misconduct against your stepfather, didn't you? - Yes.
- And despite your allegation, your stepfather was never charged with any crime, was he? No.
Thank you, Petty Officer Douglas.
The defence has no further questions at this time.
I was blindsided in there, Petty Officer Douglas.
Anything else you haven't told me? I've done things I'm not proud of.
Stuff I'd like to put in the past.
- I didn't think it was relevant.
- You didn't? The fact that you had a problem for which Master Chief Sullivan had to intercede is relevant.
The fact that you brought sexual assault charges against another man in the past is relevant.
Close the door, Bud.
It goes to credibility.
My stepfather did what I said he did.
My mother covered for him and the cops decided I was just a lying bitch out to do him dirt.
- You believe me? - Yes.
- No doubts? - No doubts.
Sir, Jane Klee, the information about her promotion, I cross-referenced that with the list that Petty Officer Douglas gave us.
There's an interesting pattern.
I'm gonna need this list this afternoon, Bud.
Master Chief Sullivan is a man of impeccable character.
He did his job in an exemplary manner.
I never heard a complaint against him.
He was well-respected.
Do you believe the charges against him? Objection, Your Honour.
Calls for speculation.
Sustained.
Move on, counsellor.
Thank you, captain.
I have no further questions.
Captain Ross, you served with Master Chief Sullivan for three years.
As stated.
You never found fault with his conduct in all that time? No.
Did you order the master chief to keep down the number of enlisted personnel brought before captain's mast? - Yes.
- So you relied on his judgement? Yes.
Captain, did you recommend that 17 female enlisted personnel be given special consideration and transfers and promotions? I don't recall the number.
Well, what number sounds right to you, captain? It was 17.
Did Master Chief Sullivan request that you give these 17 women their special consideration? What does this line of questioning have to do with? Your Honour, there is a direct causal link between these promotions and transfers and Master Chief Sullivan's conduct.
And Captain Ross has been covering that up.
- Your Honour! - Commander Rabb, I'm gonna order those remarks be stricken from the record and if you do something like that again, I will hold you in contempt.
- It'll be all right.
- Really? Yeah.
Good afternoon, Mrs.
Ross.
Is that the very best you can do, commander? Blacken the reputation of a good officer with unfounded allegations? You wanna take a look at this? Or do you already know what's in here? You're a cruel man.
Your husband was a friend of my father's, Mrs.
Ross, well-respected and an excellent officer.
Now, why would he resign one year short of a full retirement? To spend time with me, commander.
I was a falling-down drunk.
He came home to get me help.
I've been sober for three months now.
When we were stationed in Norfolk and I was ashamed to go to the package store for liquor, Master Chief Sullivan would get me booze on the sly.
He destroyed my husband.
Mrs.
Ross, I am not out to destroy you.
But there is a young girl in that courtroom, one of God knows how many women the master chief has harmed.
You and I know that.
Only I can't prove that unless someone steps forward, someone who knows the truth.
Your Honour, at this time, I would like to call Victoria Ross as a prosecution witness.
- Is the witness available? - Yes, sir.
She is in the courtroom.
- Why are you doing this? - I was not informed of this witness.
I wanna start over again.
The only way that's gonna happen is to tell the truth.
We built a life once.
We can do it again.
We can't build a new life on a lie.
Overruled, Mr.
Lowne.
Commander, you may call the witness, but tread carefully.
Put me on the stand instead.
Captain Ross, you previously testified that you had no evidence that Master Chief Sullivan was soliciting sex from the female enlisted personnel under your command.
Would you like to change that testimony, sir? Yes.
Are you willing to describe for the members the knowledge you have about the charges brought against master chief? Yes.
How did you find out what he was doing, sir? Several of the women complained about him.
How did you handle the complaints? I offered to transfer them off the ship into other commands.
In exchange for what, sir? Their silence.
Why did you do this, captain? My career was at stake.
The master chief was blackmailing me.
I brought a woman home one night late from an embassy reception in Hong Kong.
She spent the night with me in my under way cabin.
And the next morning, the master chief caught her leaving the ship with the other civilians.
- Did he tell anyone? - No.
Did he threaten to tell your wife, sir? Yes.
Why are you telling me this now, captain? Because it weighs heavily on my conscience, commander.
Because I want my wife to know what kind of a man I've become.
And because I have decided to do the honourable thing and testify, instead of forcing my wife to live in a prison of lies.
Thank you, captain.
No further questions, Your Honour.
They've been out a long time.
That's not necessarily a bad sign.
They have a lot to consider.
They're coming back in.
Captain Crandall, have the members come to a decision regarding these charges? Yes, Your Honour.
Master Chief Sullivan, would you and your counsel please stand? - Captain? - Master Chief Sullivan, this court finds you guilty of all the charges and specifications.
Order.
All right, order.
This court's adjourned.
What can I get you, sir? - A double bourbon, straight up.
- You got it.
- A double bourbon, straight up.
Enjoy.
- Thanks.
- Hey.
- Hey.
- How are you doing? - Been better.
- Ma'am? - Tonic water with a squeeze of lime.
This bother you? It's your drink, not mine.
Okay.
Now, that bothers me.
Congratulations.
- Yeah.
- Enjoy.
Yep.
So why don't I feel good about it? Because a lot of people got hurt.
- Dalton? - Gone.
Is that a bad thing? You never liked him.
I just felt you could do better, Mac, you know.
I thought he was pretty good.
You're a good-looking woman.
You're smart.
Of course, you do have a tattoo.
Every now and then, I catch you being nice.
Well, keep it to yourself, all right? I got a reputation to protect.
- Hi.
- Hey, Bud.
Do not order anything with umbrellas, Bud.
- Can I get you a cocktail, sir? - I'll take a beer, please.
Harriet hates me.
Bud, she's just mad at you.
She hasn't talked to me in three days.
That's not necessarily a bad thing, Bud.
- Send her flowers.
- She ought to send me flowers.
You tried talking to her? Tell her you're sorry.
I'm not sorry.
I mean, I'm sorry that it all went blooey.
But I've been thinking about that stuff for a long time and it kind of just popped out.
Hey, Bud, your problem is you don't know how to fight.
And everything was going so great.
And now it's not.
Bud, nothing with a woman is ever great all the time.
Hell, you're lucky if you get five good days a month.
Oh, where do I start? You know what I'm talking about, Mac.
I mean, humans with the opposing sex.
Opposite sex.
You're lucky, commander.
You got Annie.
No, I don't, Bud.
It's not looking good right now.
All I really have are you two.
- Think how we feel.
- Think how we feel.
What becomes Of the broken-hearted Who had love that's now departed? I know I've got to find Some kind of peace of mind - Baby - Maybe Maybe?