JAG s08e08 Episode Script
Ready or Not
Sir, just got another report.
The enemy's hit the Havertown.
There was an explosion aft, she's on fire.
Admiral, a P-Three just spotted four bogies, incoming.
They're flying low, below radar, sir.
The Lewiston's sinking, Admiral.
She's abdoning ship.
Havertown's taken two missiles amidships.
How many is that now, Admiral? We've lost an Aegis cruiser, three destroyers four if the Havertown goes down.
Any word from General West? No.
And there's no sign the enemy is turning back.
Son of a bitch.
I suggest you get on the horn to Admiral Barr tell him to counter.
Admiral, the carrier's been attacked.
The bogies were small aircraft loaded with explosives.
They just flew right into the ship, sir.
How many got through? All of them, sir.
The Patrick Henry's on fire.
They don't know if they can save her.
What about Admiral Barr? One of the planes hit the bridge.
He's dead, General.
Sir, the Bellingham's reporting more incoming missiles.
The Havertown's going down, Admriral.
This isn't supposed to be happening.
RABB: I don't understand how they got in there, sir.
With no Navy or Air Force, they took on the carrier battle group? Enemy launched small zodiac boats.
Crews had shoulder-fired missiles.
Small corporate jets loaded with fuel and TNT made runs straight at the carrier.
MACKENZIE: What was the final tally, sir? A cruiser and four destroyers sunk.
Patrick Henry was hit and had to withdraw from battle.
RABB: Damn.
Good thing it was just a war game.
Turner: It may have been a simulated exercise, sir but someone's stilgoing to have to pay for it.
Someone is.
Have a seat.
Operation Silent Spear was a joint services op.
Army General Anthony Manzarek ran the show.
Blue Team U.
S.
Forces were led by Admiral Tucci.
Who commanded the Red Team, sir? Marine Major General Lucas West.
The General's a legend, sir.
He led the most decorated battalion in the Gulf War.
He does have a reputation for being a cowboy.
Sounds like the type of officer you'd want on your side in wartime.
Apparently not in war games.
Army General Manzarek stated there were strict op rules governing the exercise.
General West disobeyed most of them.
He's facing a court-martial.
A two-star General for infractions in a war game? Multiple acts of disobedience and there's a charge of reckless endangerment.
It does sound extreme, sir taking it all the way to court-martial? General Manzarek didn't have a choice.
He suggested a punitive letter of reprimand General West refused.
He wants his day in court.
Commander Turner, you'll prosecute Commander Rabb, you'll defend.
You're leaving the Colonel out of a Marine matter, sir? No, Colonel, you'll be presiding on the bench.
I'm I'm judging the case, sir? As I mentioned to Commander Rabb given deployments, there's a shortage of experienced personnel.
For this case consider yourself T-A-D to the judiciary.
Yes, sir.
That'll be all.
Aye, aye, sir.
Question, Commander? Uh, yes, sir.
I was wondering If I chose the Colonel over you because she's a senior? By barely two months, Admiral Well, seniority had nothing to do with it.
Commander, I questioned your objectivity in your defense of a certain Plane Captain in his court-martial.
I solved that case, Admiral and I think I've come a long way to distinguish myself since then, sir.
Commander, this is not a debate.
You'll get your shot.
Dismissed.
Aye, aye, sir.
( door shuts ) Careful, sweetie.
I know.
Why don't you go on.
I'll catch up.
I'm not exactly in a hurry, Bud.
Harriet, I'll be walking into this house every day of my life.
Some days you won't be here.
I just want to give you a hand if you need it.
That's sweet, but Harriet, I couldn't have done this without you but I need for you to let me handle this by myself, okay? Okay.
WEST: Trading a cockpit for a law office.
Don't you miss combat, Commander? RABB: Every day, sir.
Looks like a smooth operation.
It's always smooth when there are no bullets flying.
But they'll be ready.
If the politicians can get off their asses.
That's not a view I'd broadcast, sir.
Too late, Commander.
My big mouth's built me a solid ceiling at two stars.
It's the first time I've ever been relieved.
It doesn't have to stay that way, sir.
We can still keep this out of the courtroom.
Coward's way, Commander.
They did their best to shut me down on the battlefield.
I won't go quietly now.
I think you should know Red Team wasn't supposed to win.
Are you saying the game was rigged, sir? More like scripted to ensure a predetermined outcome.
This case is simple.
I fought the exercise as I thought it should be fought.
According to the inquiry, sir when the battle carrier group was assaulted by Red Team you ignored a direct cease-fire order.
I couldn't reach my men.
Blue Team was jamming our frequencies.
I know my accusers say I was trying to make a point And I was But I followed my orders as I understood them.
Well, that's our argument, then, sir.
I've led men into battle.
Seen some wounded, watched some die.
But never because of poor training or lack of preparedness.
That's what this is about.
Hey, Tiner's brew has reached yet another octane level.
Want some? I'm going to go with the tea.
Yeah.
So, I guess congratulations are in order Your Judgeship.
Thanks I think.
Are you sure you're okay with this? Of course I'm okay.
Why wouldn't I be? We probably shouldn't be talking about this, legally speaking.
Why? We're friends, Mac.
Friends talk, and that's what we're doing talking.
Don't forget, we're also adversaries.
Certainly not in the coffee room.
In the courtroom occasionally.
That's exactly my point.
This time you won't be facing me across the aisle but I'll be on the bench.
You're not the least bit concerned? No.
What? It's just, we've battled each other so many times and I know your playbook pretty well.
Hmm, well, I think I may have a couple passes from my playbook you haven't seen yet.
Won't stop me from throwing a flag if I think you're playing the members.
Well, I'm sure you'll be fair.
Count on it.
MANZEREK: As the organizer of the exercise I have an interest in seeing to it that everyone gets their facts right, Commander.
But I think it's all pretty clear.
General West was given op orders for the exercise and one by one, he chose to ignore them.
Sir, the General claims he was merely playing the game and he was interpreting the orders.
Yes, I've heard General West's explanation.
But I was also here, in the Blue Team command center when he ignored my directive to stand down.
And he can explain that too, sir.
Commander, every exercise has its parameters It's free play, but within limits.
You're saying the Red Team could've won, General? I selected General West to lead the opposition because he's an expert at Red Team play.
Do you really think that I would've chosen him if I wanted to rig the exercise? The man you should talk to is Colonel Haller General West's Chief of Staff on this exercise.
He's a good officer.
Served on my staff as a Lieutenant.
He can clarify the General's factual interpretations.
( knock at door ) Enter! Excuse me, Admiral.
Your car needs to go in for service tomorrow, sir.
What time would you like to leave here? Well, actually, I've asked Meredith to give me a lift.
We're going to have lunch.
Are you sure you want to do that, sir? You want to drive me to the dealership that bad, Tiner? No, sir, it's just that Well, Admiral, from what you've mentioned about Ms.
Cavanaugh, sir I just thought getting into a car with her Sorry, sir, I was out of line.
No, no, Tiner, it's all right.
I've been trying to work up the nerve to confront her about her penchant for danger for about a week.
Doesn't sound easy, sir.
Shouldn't be that hard, either.
RABB: Thanks for meeting with me, Colonel.
I understand you were General West's gatekeeper on this exercise.
I handled all communication going through his headquarters.
Generally, we avoided radio traffic.
We used motorcycle messengers and field phones to avoid electronic eavesdropping.
Sounds more like World War I.
It worked.
We had them off balance from day one.
Well, how did you communicate with the boats launching the assault of a battle carrier group? Sent the attack order over civilian radio.
It was buried as a coded phrase in a broadcast prayer by a local Muslim cleric.
Brilliant.
Sounds like General West had all the bases covered.
He's the best tactician I've seen.
And I've served under quite a few, General Manzarek included.
These joint ops must be difficult, huh? Divided loyalties.
When I was assigned to General West's team I'd heard the stories about how he's a little crazy.
I learned.
Going into battle, you want that kind of crazy leading you.
Oh, that kind of crazy can get you into trouble too, Colonel.
General West told me about the difficulties communicating the cease-fire order to the troops assaulting the battle carrier group: radio jamming.
That's right, Commander.
There were no other options? RABB: General, you had a way to communicate with your men: Dedicated emergency frequency.
That frequency was for Mayday calls only Real world emergencies.
That's a tough sell in the courtroom, sir.
As are a few choice words you used to describe General Manzarek.
In the heat of battle, Commander you say things you regret.
Take it you don't much like the General, sir.
We've locked horns over the years.
I sense your confidence in our case is dissipating, Commander.
I'm going to be honest with you, General.
At this point, sir, it doesn't look good.
( sighs ) What's your advice? We could go for a deal.
You agree to immediate retirement no disciplinary action will be taken.
You retain your pension and benefits.
Otherwise I go to court-martial and I stand to lose it all.
I've never stood down from a fight And I'm not starting now.
Excuse me, ma'am? Yes? You're coming on Saturday? The housewarming, ma'am.
Oh, Harriet, I'm so sorry.
I forgot to RSVP.
That's okay, ma'am.
Is there anything I can do to help you? No, I'm fine.
I just I'm running late.
It's not like they're going to start without you.
Sorry.
You must be excited.
Actually, I'm terrified.
Well, that's understandable.
It's a high-profile case, all eyes are on you watching every move.
I haven't seen that much military brass I get the idea, Harriet.
You will do fine, ma'am.
I have to do better than that.
You make a mistake as a lawyer, you recover.
You knock one into the woods as a judge it's on your scorecard forever.
It's what the Court of Appeals is for, ma'am to fix judges' screw-ups.
Good luck, ma'am.
Turner: General Manzarek when you drew up this exercise you designed it as a "free-play" scenario, correct? There are always some constraints.
Why is that, General? We're testing tactics, technology.
We have to set some limits to prevent people from doing things that would negate the value of the tests.
And do you believe that General West exceeded those limits, sir? Yes.
He also recklessly endangered personnel when he overflew the carrier group against orders.
Do you have any idea what motivated his actions, sir? Objection.
Calls for an opinion.
Turner: On the contrary, it calls for an assessment of a subordinate's behavior by his Commanding Officer.
Has probative value, Your Honor.
Nice try, Counselor.
I agree with the Government.
Objection overruled.
You've got to be kidding Your Honor.
You may answer the question, General.
General West assumes that he has a monopoly on the truth when it comes to how to prepare for a war.
I believe that he's less motivated byreparedness and more by ego.
Thank you, General.
Your witness.
No cross at this time, Your Honor.
But I reserve the right to recall this witness at a later date.
Your choice, Commander.
( tires squealing ) Ha.
Thanks for driving.
Oh, are you kidding? I love the open road.
And you didn't know I went to rally school, did you? There's a lot I don't know.
Oh.
Do you want me to give you a ride later to pick up your car? No.
Um, I'll, uh I'll get, uh, Tiner to give me a lift.
A.
J.
A.
J.
, is something wrong? Well, Meredith you know, at some point, we need to Make plans for dinner tomorrow night.
Yeah, great.
I have this incredible inspiration.
You know those Korean steak houses where you get to grill your own food? Now, this doesn't involve juggling knives and pepper shakers, does it? I'm sensing a little reluctance.
Let's play it by ear, huh? Sure.
I'll call you.
Ciao.
( tires squealing ) Afternoon, sir.
Was that Ms.
Cavanaugh, Admiral? Yeah.
She's quite a woman, sir.
( tires squealing in distance ) Yeah.
Turner: Sir, do you believe that General West exceeded the op orders for this exercise, sir? In my judgment, yes.
How, Admiral? Day One: He launched a simulated missile attack.
Several plane sensors recorded hits.
They were downed along with a C-17 which was our experimental aerial communication headquarters.
How is this outside the rules, sir? General West was supposed to have disabled his air defense systems.
Did the General employ any other tactics that were outside the bounds, sir? He launched a simulated chemical weapons attack contrary to the Rules of Engagement.
And he attacked our ships using small boats and private planes when civilian assets were prohibited.
In your judgment, sir, did the General's tactics jeopardize the training goals of this exercise? We were testing battlefield communications.
Communications is exactly what General West targeted.
Thank you, Admiral.
Your witness.
Admiral, would you agree that rules are open to interpretation, sir? Yes, Commander within reason.
Now, you testified, sir, that General West shot down several of your planes including your aerial nerve center, correct? Affirmative, Commander.
And weren't you on that plane, sir? Weren't you, in fact, "killed," Admiral, in simulation? In simulation.
Yet you continued to command troops, sir.
The legitimacy of the kill was a matter of debate! So I was reconstituted, Commander.
Like soup, Admiral? Objection.
Your Honor.
Counsel is editorializing.
More like playing to the crowd.
Sustained.
Careful, Commander.
Sorry, Your Honor.
I didn't realize it was such a tough room.
Admiral, was your timely return from the grave within the rules, sir? Not strictly.
But it was necessary to keep the exercise going.
Well, it sounds to me like the rules kept changing, Admiral.
We did what we did because General West kept disobeying orders.
According to your interpretation, sir.
Objection.
Your Honor.
Commander seems to have forgotten who's being tried.
I know.
"Sustained.
" No more questions.
( doorbell ringing ) ( pop music playing softly ) Colonel! Bud, please tell me I'm not the last one here.
Nah, just getting started, Colonel.
Can I take your jacket and your purse? Thanks.
You look great, Bud.
Oh, I'm feeling great.
And I hear you're going to be the next Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
Right.
Come on in.
Harriet, wow, quite a spread.
Welcome, Colonel.
Thanks.
Harm.
Mac.
Oh, you should really try the crab cakes.
Oh, they look dangerous.
Oh, is that a ruling or an opinion? Come on, Harm, can we just bury the hatchet for one day? Well, I'd love to, but I'd have to pull it out of my client's head where you left it.
Shrimp roll, sir? We're not having this discussion.
Well, at least we agree on one thing, huh? Excuse me.
Hi, Mac.
Hi.
Great party.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
You must be Colonel Mackenzie.
Colonel Mackenzie, Corporal Sean Stiles.
I've heard a lot about you.
All bad, I hope.
What's going on with the music, Lieutenant? What's wrong with my music? It's just a little Jurassic, sir.
All right, Corporal, Let's go digging, shall we? Colonel.
Ma'am.
He's doing really well, Harriet.
Today.
We're not out of the woods yet, though.
Hey, Lieutenant.
Tiner.
Sir, I still owe you that house tour.
Lead on.
I, uh I wanted a chance to talk to you, sir.
About what's next? Yes, sir.
I have been dying to get back to work.
I'm waiting on a call from your team of physicians.
Uh, your return to limited duty is based on their recommendation.
And yours, sir.
Well, you know where I stand.
So it's up to the doctors, sir.
Yeah.
You just got to wait it out.
So let's see this house.
Yes, sir.
Turner: You received the cease-fire order from General Manzarek.
How did General West respond? HALLER: He said we couldn't do anything.
Our radio frequencies were jammed so we couldn't contact our men.
Was there no way to reach them? We had an emergency frequency.
Why didn't you use that? General West said it wasn't an option.
What else did General West say? General West said he was only interested in sending one message to General Manzarek.
Thank you, Colonel.
Your witness.
Colonel, you said the General wanted to send a message.
Was his intent merely to push his own agenda? Objection.
Calls for an opinion.
RABB: On the contrary, it's an assessment of a superior's performance by a subordinate.
I believe Commander Turner used the term "probative value.
" I'll allow it.
Colonel? In my experience I don't know a General who doesn't push his agenda.
That said, I consider General West sincere in his desire to prepare us for an enemy that won't be following any script.
Thank you, Colonel.
That'll be all.
MacKENZIE: This court is in recess until 0900 tomorrow.
Admiral.
Good afternoon, sir.
Your morale seems better.
Well, I finally deciphered the Colonel, sir.
Things are looking up.
Well, you might want to look up at this.
Scripting an exercise is no way to find out if we're prepared for war.
Look, I've known General Lucas West since we were young officers in Vietnam.
When I got this e-mail, I hit the roof.
You don't stage a war game then tie the enemy team's hands to ensure that the good guys win.
General West used exactly the tactics the Iraqis or Al Qaeda are going to use ( TV clicks off ) Apparently, the General sent an e-mail stating his case to a few "professional friends.
" I just finished moving the Members off of the view of General West as an egomaniac who'll stop at nothing to prove a point.
And now he he pushes the "send Ollie" key.
He's got a history of saying what he thinks career be damned.
He must feel it's worth it.
Yeah, maybe it's time for an insanity plea.
RABB: I picked up some newspapers on the way in, sir.
"General Calls Exercise a Sham.
" "Ready or not, General Says Not.
" This is my personal favorite, sir: "General on Scripted War Game The Fix Was In.
" The truth prevails, Commander.
Sir, you're being court-martialed for exceeding orders in a war game you conducted as though it were your own personal training demonstration.
Now you're courting the media.
I have my reasons, Commander.
Like sticking it to General Manzarek on the front page, sir? This is not a pissing contest between the Army and the Marine Corps.
My only objective here is to prepare our troops for war.
And I am trying to keep you in uniform, sir so you'll be there to lead them.
( sis ) So What's the plan? We answer the charges, sir.
We put your field commanders on the stand.
Have them testify to the fact that you played the game smart, not dirty.
Think that'll work? Well, if they can't speak eloquently to your leadership and your character, sir we still have one card left to play.
What's that? We put you on the stand, sir.
According to targeting sensor data you recorded 12 Blue Team aircraft kills.
How? We used passive radar, then visually acquired the targets and took them down with stinger missiles.
Was this within the rules? The Op orders required that we disable only the primary radar, nosecondary systems.
We just went off the script, Commander.
I know people say these exercises aren't about winning and losing but we're preparing for war.
If it's not about that, then what is it about? RABB: Major Moseley, you were in charge of General West's Naval Ops? That's correct.
When you launched the attack on a carrier group, Commander did you employ civilian assets? We used private boats and planes.
But we applied Red Team flags and markers.
I believe that made them military assets in compliance with Op orders.
Thank you, Commander.
Your witness.
Commander, the zodiac boats were launched from fishing trawlers.
Were the trawlers flying Red Team flags? No, Commander.
They sound like civilian assets to me.
Weren't you stretching the rules? I don't know, Commander but maybe you should ask the men and women who survived the attack on the Cole if they were hit by civilian assets.
Al Qaeda has their own definition for Rules of Engagement.
RABB: Colonel Swift, you launched a simulated chemical weapons attack on Blue Team forces, correct? That's correct.
We hit them with tear gas as soon as they hit the beach.
Simulated chem-tipped artillery.
The Op orders banned the use of weapons of mass destruction, Colonel.
Weren't you violating the rules? Not as I defined weapons of mass destruction.
These weren't SCUDs dropped on a city.
There was a limited tactical delivery on a military target.
Thank you, Colonel.
Your witness.
Now, surely, Colonel, you can see why the Blue Team might dispute your definition of weapons of mass destruction.
Objection.
Argumentative.
Overruled.
Unbelievable.
MACKENZIE: You may answer the question, Colonel.
In war, disputes are settled on the battlefield.
The bully makes the rules, right? Now, that's argumentative.
Sustained.
The Geneva Convention prohibits chemical weapons.
Wasn't the Red Team required to follow the International Rules of War? The Geneva Convention wasn't exactly giving me my orders, Commander.
No, General West was.
And he ordered you to gas the enemy, correct? Objection.
Overruled.
Answer the question.
The General gave the order to attack if that's what you're asking.
But you ask any squad leader, and they'll tell you that the biggest threat on the battlefield is chemical weapons.
Now, we need to be ready.
General West understands that.
Thank you, Colonel.
Given the hour, we'll recess and reconvene tomorrow at 0930.
Meredith: The pièce De résistance.
( gasps slightly ) Go ahead.
So, how do you like it? ( exhales ) This is truly amazing.
I mean, Meredith, the whole dinner The the tuna sashimi, the the risotto, the veal.
I-I can't believe it.
You must have been cooking all afternoon.
I have a confession to make.
I got home late.
This all came from Le Jardin.
I hope you're not disappointed.
Oh, a good dinner's a welcome change.
You know ( chuckles ) believe or not There was a time when I couldn't cook at all.
When-when was that? High School.
I remember one day in Home EC I had an accident.
I was julienning potatoes, and-and the knife slipped.
It took the ER doc 30 stitches.
You seem to have come through it okay.
Oh, no, no, not me! M-My cooking partner.
Oh, poor Dennis, he was the only boy in class.
Well, he learned to play tennis with his left hand.
But I still feel bad about the scholarship.
A.
J.
? What's the matter? I feel as though you're not telling me something.
It's about work, isn't it? Um, the Commander and the Colonel are going at it again.
And you feel responsible? Well You are not their father, A.
J.
They're adults.
And as soon as they realize that all of this passion is coming from a place that is not work-related, then Well, then all the Sturm and Drang will go away.
To be replaced by more of the same.
Talk about two people that are candidates for couples therapy.
Well, maybe they're not alone.
( phone rings ) Roberts.
Good afternoon, sir.
Yes, sir, I will.
Thank you.
Who was it, sweetie? It was the Admiral.
He wants to see me on Thursday.
How did he sound? Same as always.
Gruff? Ill-tempered.
Impatient? Pretty much all that, yeah.
Harriet, I've been through the worst of it.
Everything else is Just what it is.
RABB: General West, as Red Team leader, what was your mission in this exercise, sir? To present the U.
S.
Forces with an aggressive and determined foe.
And to that end, sir, you used tactics you deemed appropriate? I believe so, Commander.
Within Op orders, sir? As I understood them.
I have a different view of training from some of my superiors.
I don't believe in scripted games.
I think we should be ready for all comers.
And with this mindset, sir you approached this exercise, correct? I was in the Gulf War in '91.
I led my battalion into a town where Shia villagers had been gassed to death.
I saw the bodies of men, women and children twisted and contorted.
I didn't just see civilians murdered I saw my men; saw what could happen.
I vowed then to make sure we were prepared for the evil we were facing.
The evil we face now.
Thank you, General.
Your witness.
You referred to your service in the Gulf War, sir.
Do you remember an incident that happened on a road ten miles west of Basra? May we approach? I'm familiar with this incident.
It happened ten years ago and has no bearing here.
I disagree, Your Honor.
It goes to pattern of behavior.
The issues are unrelated, Your Honor.
The defense opened this avenue, Your Honor when the General used his war record to justify his actions.
I'll allow it for now.
Do you recall the incident, sir? Yes.
My battalion attacked a column of Iraqi Republican Guard.
As they were retreating, isn't that true, sir? They'd fired on my men.
This attack happened 12 hours after a cease fire had been declared isn't that right, General? Yes, I hadn't received word.
Your C.
O.
said that the order had been sent.
But not received, Commander.
An inquiry, sir, found that you had your forces they were supposed to be.
You took out 80 tanks and armored vehicles and killed over A reporter later called it: "A turkey shoot.
" Am I right, sir? Those were his words.
T me get this straight, General.
You were deep behind enemy lines against orders attacking an enemy that was retreating under a flag of truce.
I guess that's what happens when you play fast and loose with the rules, sir.
Objection.
Turner: Withdrawn.
Thank you, General.
Morning, General.
You know that the five separate inquiries cleared me of all charges.
I know that now.
Did you say we should have gone all the way to Baghdad, General? I'm trained to see military solutions not political ones.
That's the big difference between General Manzarek and me.
RABB: I did some research, sir.
General Manzarek served in the Gulf War, too.
He testified again you in the initial inquiry into the incident in '91.
He was there that day.
Is it true, General? You mean, did I fire on innocent men retreating under a white flag? The Iraqis had fired on my troops, Commander.
I was going to make damn sure they didn't do it again.
Can I help you, sir? Oh, I I know the way, Petty Officer.
Thank you.
( exhales deeply ) Oh I Should have knocked.
You must be Lieutenant Roberts.
Yeah, what's left of him.
Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti.
This was your office before it was Lieutenant Singer's office.
Before it was your office.
And you didn't know? It's all right, Commander.
It's a heck of way to find out.
Well, my life has been full of surprises recently.
Nice to meet you, ma'am.
Now I see what they mean.
You're a kind of a legend around here.
To that, I'd add: the very picture of a northern gentleman.
Thank you, ma'am.
Sir, Lieutenant Roberts reporting as ordered, sir.
Sorry, Lieutenant, I forgot to mention Commander Manetti.
Sure space is getting quite short around here, Admiral.
Should we talk in my office? You have news, sir? My office.
Hey.
Putting your life in Tiner's hands, huh? No, I made this fresh.
You want some? I promise you won't taste the poison.
Tough day in court yesterday.
Oh, you noticed.
Excuse me.
You know, I wasn't expecting any favors.
With any other judge, I'd have won this case days ago.
I'm sorry I'm not complying with your schedule.
Every time I work in an advantage, you slap me down.
Because you ask for it.
You're relentless, you know that? Mmm so I've heard.
I'm the hanging judge.
The source of all your problems, right? That's right.
But though it pains me to admit it, you're good.
You don't let me get away with the stuff I pull on other judges.
You really do know my playbook.
Most of all though, Mac you know the law And I hate you for it.
I'll take that as a compliment.
Good.
Just remember this magnanimity when I'm on the bench, okay? Excuse me, Colonel, Commander.
The Admiral's called a meeting in the conference room.
Thanks, Tiner.
CHEDWIDDEN: As you all know given the severity of Lieutenant Roberts' injuries and resulting complications there's been a delay in the disposition of his case.
So, I got on a conference call with his team of physicians at Bethesda this morning and they approved his return to JAG on limited duty.
He'll be rejoining us in two weeks.
MacKENZIE: That's great news, Admiral.
I second that.
Limited duty is not permanent reinstatement, sir.
No.
If Lieutenant Roberts wants to return to full duty he's going to have to get by the Physical Evaluation Board.
The doctors inform me that 85% of the disabled personnel that go before the Board are found unfit.
They're given disability discharges, sir? I'm assuming you told the Lieutenant all this, Admiral.
About an hour ago.
How did he take it, sir? Guardedly optimistic As I think we all should be.
Turner: Bud's a lawyer.
A missing leg shouldn't slow him down.
Not here, but if he was billeted to a ship or a war zone Full duty is full duty, Sturgis.
Commander Rabb.
Excuse me, sir.
You have a visitor.
Thank you.
Look, Sturgis, we need to talk.
General West? Deal's not going to be easy now, huh? Give me a moment, will you? I'll, I'll come and see you.
Good to see you again, Commander.
Colonel Haller.
Have a seat.
I heard about what happened with General West.
Well it's not the first time past acts have come back to haunt an officer.
I know.
That's why I'm here.
I have information I think will cast this whole matter in a different light, Commander.
I delivered that to General Manzarek myself.
At the time, I thought it was the right thing to do.
That General West was a loose cannon Dangerous, they all said.
I believed it.
I don't believe it anymore.
Your timing is a little off, Colonel.
I screwed up, Commander.
It's a hard thing to admit.
And General Manzarek has had a lot to do with my advancement.
But a good officer a good man Is being crucified in that courtroom and it's got to stop.
This will put a bullet in your career.
I hope you realize that.
I do.
There's a statue of MacArthur at West Point I walked by every day for four years.
Below, there's a quote: "Your mission remains fixed, determined, inviolable.
"It is to win our wars.
"All other public purposes "will find others for their accomplishment.
"Yours is the profession of arms the will to win.
"The sure knowledge that in war "there is no substitute for victory "that the very obsession of your public service must be duty, honor, country.
" I put on this uniform for a reason, Commander.
For a while I forgot.
General West reminded me.
MANZAREK: I chose General West despite his reputation for "freelancing" because he's an effective OPFOR commander.
General, you had described his Red Team tactics in previous war games as "disruptive and corrosive to the maintenance of good order and discipline.
" Is that right, sir? I may have said that.
Your Honor This is a copy of a report outlining, in broad strokes the Red Team battle plan for this exercise.
It was provided to General Manzarek by General West's Chief of Staff, Colonel Haller five months before the exercise began.
I would like it entered into evidence and marked for identification as Defense exhibit E.
Objection, Your Honor.
The Government hasn't seen this.
It recently came to light.
Approach, Counselor.
Eleventh-hour disclosure doesn't sit well with me.
You should know that, Commander.
I had no alternative.
I'm sure if you look, Your Honor you'll see the probative value far outweighs any procedural problem.
Colonel, you're not going to allow this.
I'm afraid I am.
You may proceed, Commander.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Colonel Haller has made a statement he delivered this report to you personally.
Do you recognize it? Yes, Commander, I've seen it.
Sir, five months prior to these war games you had a copy of a report briefly outlining General West's proposed tactics.
The passive radar, the chemical weapons, the civilian assets Isn't that right, sir? That's correct, Commander.
In broad strokes, not specifics.
Now, sir, knowing what General West had planned if you had a problem with his tactics why didn't you do something about it in the five months prior to the game? Because, sir, the game was rigged, wasn't it? The plan was to give General West enough rope to hang himself.
To get rid of an officer you had branded as disruptive and corrosive.
Isn't that right, sir? Like rules in a war game, I guess evidence, too is open to interpretation, Commander.
Training, tactics, technology.
They all matter when it comes to preparing us for war and those who don't acknowledge it are as great a threat to us as our enemies.
( sighs ) Thank you, General.
That will be all.
Will the accused and counsel please rise? MacKENZIE: You may publish your findings.
"Major General Lucas West, United States Marine Corps "on the charge and specification of Reckless Endangerment "this court finds you not guilty.
"On the charge and the specification" of Willful Disobedience of a Superior Commissioned Officer "this court finds you not guilty.
" Court is adjourned.
Thank you, Commander.
I'm really not the one to thank, sir.
Colonel Hailer's a good man.
Service needs more like him.
Congratulations, General.
Once in a while it feels good to see the other side win.
Let's hope the real victory, Commander is reserved for the battlefield.
Yes, sir.
If you two will excuse me, I owe a good man a drink.
Gentlemen.
Sir.
Glad this one's over.
Yeah, you and I both.
An appeal before this judge would be murder.
You two seem okay with the verdict.
Well, we restrict our differences to the workplace.
I'll remember that next time I patch of you up after a basketball game.
I was going to grab some dinner.
You two care to join me? Depends who's buying.
I'm feeling rich.
What, You get extra pay for being a judge? I should look into this.
Don't.
Don't.
The enemy's hit the Havertown.
There was an explosion aft, she's on fire.
Admiral, a P-Three just spotted four bogies, incoming.
They're flying low, below radar, sir.
The Lewiston's sinking, Admiral.
She's abdoning ship.
Havertown's taken two missiles amidships.
How many is that now, Admiral? We've lost an Aegis cruiser, three destroyers four if the Havertown goes down.
Any word from General West? No.
And there's no sign the enemy is turning back.
Son of a bitch.
I suggest you get on the horn to Admiral Barr tell him to counter.
Admiral, the carrier's been attacked.
The bogies were small aircraft loaded with explosives.
They just flew right into the ship, sir.
How many got through? All of them, sir.
The Patrick Henry's on fire.
They don't know if they can save her.
What about Admiral Barr? One of the planes hit the bridge.
He's dead, General.
Sir, the Bellingham's reporting more incoming missiles.
The Havertown's going down, Admriral.
This isn't supposed to be happening.
RABB: I don't understand how they got in there, sir.
With no Navy or Air Force, they took on the carrier battle group? Enemy launched small zodiac boats.
Crews had shoulder-fired missiles.
Small corporate jets loaded with fuel and TNT made runs straight at the carrier.
MACKENZIE: What was the final tally, sir? A cruiser and four destroyers sunk.
Patrick Henry was hit and had to withdraw from battle.
RABB: Damn.
Good thing it was just a war game.
Turner: It may have been a simulated exercise, sir but someone's stilgoing to have to pay for it.
Someone is.
Have a seat.
Operation Silent Spear was a joint services op.
Army General Anthony Manzarek ran the show.
Blue Team U.
S.
Forces were led by Admiral Tucci.
Who commanded the Red Team, sir? Marine Major General Lucas West.
The General's a legend, sir.
He led the most decorated battalion in the Gulf War.
He does have a reputation for being a cowboy.
Sounds like the type of officer you'd want on your side in wartime.
Apparently not in war games.
Army General Manzarek stated there were strict op rules governing the exercise.
General West disobeyed most of them.
He's facing a court-martial.
A two-star General for infractions in a war game? Multiple acts of disobedience and there's a charge of reckless endangerment.
It does sound extreme, sir taking it all the way to court-martial? General Manzarek didn't have a choice.
He suggested a punitive letter of reprimand General West refused.
He wants his day in court.
Commander Turner, you'll prosecute Commander Rabb, you'll defend.
You're leaving the Colonel out of a Marine matter, sir? No, Colonel, you'll be presiding on the bench.
I'm I'm judging the case, sir? As I mentioned to Commander Rabb given deployments, there's a shortage of experienced personnel.
For this case consider yourself T-A-D to the judiciary.
Yes, sir.
That'll be all.
Aye, aye, sir.
Question, Commander? Uh, yes, sir.
I was wondering If I chose the Colonel over you because she's a senior? By barely two months, Admiral Well, seniority had nothing to do with it.
Commander, I questioned your objectivity in your defense of a certain Plane Captain in his court-martial.
I solved that case, Admiral and I think I've come a long way to distinguish myself since then, sir.
Commander, this is not a debate.
You'll get your shot.
Dismissed.
Aye, aye, sir.
( door shuts ) Careful, sweetie.
I know.
Why don't you go on.
I'll catch up.
I'm not exactly in a hurry, Bud.
Harriet, I'll be walking into this house every day of my life.
Some days you won't be here.
I just want to give you a hand if you need it.
That's sweet, but Harriet, I couldn't have done this without you but I need for you to let me handle this by myself, okay? Okay.
WEST: Trading a cockpit for a law office.
Don't you miss combat, Commander? RABB: Every day, sir.
Looks like a smooth operation.
It's always smooth when there are no bullets flying.
But they'll be ready.
If the politicians can get off their asses.
That's not a view I'd broadcast, sir.
Too late, Commander.
My big mouth's built me a solid ceiling at two stars.
It's the first time I've ever been relieved.
It doesn't have to stay that way, sir.
We can still keep this out of the courtroom.
Coward's way, Commander.
They did their best to shut me down on the battlefield.
I won't go quietly now.
I think you should know Red Team wasn't supposed to win.
Are you saying the game was rigged, sir? More like scripted to ensure a predetermined outcome.
This case is simple.
I fought the exercise as I thought it should be fought.
According to the inquiry, sir when the battle carrier group was assaulted by Red Team you ignored a direct cease-fire order.
I couldn't reach my men.
Blue Team was jamming our frequencies.
I know my accusers say I was trying to make a point And I was But I followed my orders as I understood them.
Well, that's our argument, then, sir.
I've led men into battle.
Seen some wounded, watched some die.
But never because of poor training or lack of preparedness.
That's what this is about.
Hey, Tiner's brew has reached yet another octane level.
Want some? I'm going to go with the tea.
Yeah.
So, I guess congratulations are in order Your Judgeship.
Thanks I think.
Are you sure you're okay with this? Of course I'm okay.
Why wouldn't I be? We probably shouldn't be talking about this, legally speaking.
Why? We're friends, Mac.
Friends talk, and that's what we're doing talking.
Don't forget, we're also adversaries.
Certainly not in the coffee room.
In the courtroom occasionally.
That's exactly my point.
This time you won't be facing me across the aisle but I'll be on the bench.
You're not the least bit concerned? No.
What? It's just, we've battled each other so many times and I know your playbook pretty well.
Hmm, well, I think I may have a couple passes from my playbook you haven't seen yet.
Won't stop me from throwing a flag if I think you're playing the members.
Well, I'm sure you'll be fair.
Count on it.
MANZEREK: As the organizer of the exercise I have an interest in seeing to it that everyone gets their facts right, Commander.
But I think it's all pretty clear.
General West was given op orders for the exercise and one by one, he chose to ignore them.
Sir, the General claims he was merely playing the game and he was interpreting the orders.
Yes, I've heard General West's explanation.
But I was also here, in the Blue Team command center when he ignored my directive to stand down.
And he can explain that too, sir.
Commander, every exercise has its parameters It's free play, but within limits.
You're saying the Red Team could've won, General? I selected General West to lead the opposition because he's an expert at Red Team play.
Do you really think that I would've chosen him if I wanted to rig the exercise? The man you should talk to is Colonel Haller General West's Chief of Staff on this exercise.
He's a good officer.
Served on my staff as a Lieutenant.
He can clarify the General's factual interpretations.
( knock at door ) Enter! Excuse me, Admiral.
Your car needs to go in for service tomorrow, sir.
What time would you like to leave here? Well, actually, I've asked Meredith to give me a lift.
We're going to have lunch.
Are you sure you want to do that, sir? You want to drive me to the dealership that bad, Tiner? No, sir, it's just that Well, Admiral, from what you've mentioned about Ms.
Cavanaugh, sir I just thought getting into a car with her Sorry, sir, I was out of line.
No, no, Tiner, it's all right.
I've been trying to work up the nerve to confront her about her penchant for danger for about a week.
Doesn't sound easy, sir.
Shouldn't be that hard, either.
RABB: Thanks for meeting with me, Colonel.
I understand you were General West's gatekeeper on this exercise.
I handled all communication going through his headquarters.
Generally, we avoided radio traffic.
We used motorcycle messengers and field phones to avoid electronic eavesdropping.
Sounds more like World War I.
It worked.
We had them off balance from day one.
Well, how did you communicate with the boats launching the assault of a battle carrier group? Sent the attack order over civilian radio.
It was buried as a coded phrase in a broadcast prayer by a local Muslim cleric.
Brilliant.
Sounds like General West had all the bases covered.
He's the best tactician I've seen.
And I've served under quite a few, General Manzarek included.
These joint ops must be difficult, huh? Divided loyalties.
When I was assigned to General West's team I'd heard the stories about how he's a little crazy.
I learned.
Going into battle, you want that kind of crazy leading you.
Oh, that kind of crazy can get you into trouble too, Colonel.
General West told me about the difficulties communicating the cease-fire order to the troops assaulting the battle carrier group: radio jamming.
That's right, Commander.
There were no other options? RABB: General, you had a way to communicate with your men: Dedicated emergency frequency.
That frequency was for Mayday calls only Real world emergencies.
That's a tough sell in the courtroom, sir.
As are a few choice words you used to describe General Manzarek.
In the heat of battle, Commander you say things you regret.
Take it you don't much like the General, sir.
We've locked horns over the years.
I sense your confidence in our case is dissipating, Commander.
I'm going to be honest with you, General.
At this point, sir, it doesn't look good.
( sighs ) What's your advice? We could go for a deal.
You agree to immediate retirement no disciplinary action will be taken.
You retain your pension and benefits.
Otherwise I go to court-martial and I stand to lose it all.
I've never stood down from a fight And I'm not starting now.
Excuse me, ma'am? Yes? You're coming on Saturday? The housewarming, ma'am.
Oh, Harriet, I'm so sorry.
I forgot to RSVP.
That's okay, ma'am.
Is there anything I can do to help you? No, I'm fine.
I just I'm running late.
It's not like they're going to start without you.
Sorry.
You must be excited.
Actually, I'm terrified.
Well, that's understandable.
It's a high-profile case, all eyes are on you watching every move.
I haven't seen that much military brass I get the idea, Harriet.
You will do fine, ma'am.
I have to do better than that.
You make a mistake as a lawyer, you recover.
You knock one into the woods as a judge it's on your scorecard forever.
It's what the Court of Appeals is for, ma'am to fix judges' screw-ups.
Good luck, ma'am.
Turner: General Manzarek when you drew up this exercise you designed it as a "free-play" scenario, correct? There are always some constraints.
Why is that, General? We're testing tactics, technology.
We have to set some limits to prevent people from doing things that would negate the value of the tests.
And do you believe that General West exceeded those limits, sir? Yes.
He also recklessly endangered personnel when he overflew the carrier group against orders.
Do you have any idea what motivated his actions, sir? Objection.
Calls for an opinion.
Turner: On the contrary, it calls for an assessment of a subordinate's behavior by his Commanding Officer.
Has probative value, Your Honor.
Nice try, Counselor.
I agree with the Government.
Objection overruled.
You've got to be kidding Your Honor.
You may answer the question, General.
General West assumes that he has a monopoly on the truth when it comes to how to prepare for a war.
I believe that he's less motivated byreparedness and more by ego.
Thank you, General.
Your witness.
No cross at this time, Your Honor.
But I reserve the right to recall this witness at a later date.
Your choice, Commander.
( tires squealing ) Ha.
Thanks for driving.
Oh, are you kidding? I love the open road.
And you didn't know I went to rally school, did you? There's a lot I don't know.
Oh.
Do you want me to give you a ride later to pick up your car? No.
Um, I'll, uh I'll get, uh, Tiner to give me a lift.
A.
J.
A.
J.
, is something wrong? Well, Meredith you know, at some point, we need to Make plans for dinner tomorrow night.
Yeah, great.
I have this incredible inspiration.
You know those Korean steak houses where you get to grill your own food? Now, this doesn't involve juggling knives and pepper shakers, does it? I'm sensing a little reluctance.
Let's play it by ear, huh? Sure.
I'll call you.
Ciao.
( tires squealing ) Afternoon, sir.
Was that Ms.
Cavanaugh, Admiral? Yeah.
She's quite a woman, sir.
( tires squealing in distance ) Yeah.
Turner: Sir, do you believe that General West exceeded the op orders for this exercise, sir? In my judgment, yes.
How, Admiral? Day One: He launched a simulated missile attack.
Several plane sensors recorded hits.
They were downed along with a C-17 which was our experimental aerial communication headquarters.
How is this outside the rules, sir? General West was supposed to have disabled his air defense systems.
Did the General employ any other tactics that were outside the bounds, sir? He launched a simulated chemical weapons attack contrary to the Rules of Engagement.
And he attacked our ships using small boats and private planes when civilian assets were prohibited.
In your judgment, sir, did the General's tactics jeopardize the training goals of this exercise? We were testing battlefield communications.
Communications is exactly what General West targeted.
Thank you, Admiral.
Your witness.
Admiral, would you agree that rules are open to interpretation, sir? Yes, Commander within reason.
Now, you testified, sir, that General West shot down several of your planes including your aerial nerve center, correct? Affirmative, Commander.
And weren't you on that plane, sir? Weren't you, in fact, "killed," Admiral, in simulation? In simulation.
Yet you continued to command troops, sir.
The legitimacy of the kill was a matter of debate! So I was reconstituted, Commander.
Like soup, Admiral? Objection.
Your Honor.
Counsel is editorializing.
More like playing to the crowd.
Sustained.
Careful, Commander.
Sorry, Your Honor.
I didn't realize it was such a tough room.
Admiral, was your timely return from the grave within the rules, sir? Not strictly.
But it was necessary to keep the exercise going.
Well, it sounds to me like the rules kept changing, Admiral.
We did what we did because General West kept disobeying orders.
According to your interpretation, sir.
Objection.
Your Honor.
Commander seems to have forgotten who's being tried.
I know.
"Sustained.
" No more questions.
( doorbell ringing ) ( pop music playing softly ) Colonel! Bud, please tell me I'm not the last one here.
Nah, just getting started, Colonel.
Can I take your jacket and your purse? Thanks.
You look great, Bud.
Oh, I'm feeling great.
And I hear you're going to be the next Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
Right.
Come on in.
Harriet, wow, quite a spread.
Welcome, Colonel.
Thanks.
Harm.
Mac.
Oh, you should really try the crab cakes.
Oh, they look dangerous.
Oh, is that a ruling or an opinion? Come on, Harm, can we just bury the hatchet for one day? Well, I'd love to, but I'd have to pull it out of my client's head where you left it.
Shrimp roll, sir? We're not having this discussion.
Well, at least we agree on one thing, huh? Excuse me.
Hi, Mac.
Hi.
Great party.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
You must be Colonel Mackenzie.
Colonel Mackenzie, Corporal Sean Stiles.
I've heard a lot about you.
All bad, I hope.
What's going on with the music, Lieutenant? What's wrong with my music? It's just a little Jurassic, sir.
All right, Corporal, Let's go digging, shall we? Colonel.
Ma'am.
He's doing really well, Harriet.
Today.
We're not out of the woods yet, though.
Hey, Lieutenant.
Tiner.
Sir, I still owe you that house tour.
Lead on.
I, uh I wanted a chance to talk to you, sir.
About what's next? Yes, sir.
I have been dying to get back to work.
I'm waiting on a call from your team of physicians.
Uh, your return to limited duty is based on their recommendation.
And yours, sir.
Well, you know where I stand.
So it's up to the doctors, sir.
Yeah.
You just got to wait it out.
So let's see this house.
Yes, sir.
Turner: You received the cease-fire order from General Manzarek.
How did General West respond? HALLER: He said we couldn't do anything.
Our radio frequencies were jammed so we couldn't contact our men.
Was there no way to reach them? We had an emergency frequency.
Why didn't you use that? General West said it wasn't an option.
What else did General West say? General West said he was only interested in sending one message to General Manzarek.
Thank you, Colonel.
Your witness.
Colonel, you said the General wanted to send a message.
Was his intent merely to push his own agenda? Objection.
Calls for an opinion.
RABB: On the contrary, it's an assessment of a superior's performance by a subordinate.
I believe Commander Turner used the term "probative value.
" I'll allow it.
Colonel? In my experience I don't know a General who doesn't push his agenda.
That said, I consider General West sincere in his desire to prepare us for an enemy that won't be following any script.
Thank you, Colonel.
That'll be all.
MacKENZIE: This court is in recess until 0900 tomorrow.
Admiral.
Good afternoon, sir.
Your morale seems better.
Well, I finally deciphered the Colonel, sir.
Things are looking up.
Well, you might want to look up at this.
Scripting an exercise is no way to find out if we're prepared for war.
Look, I've known General Lucas West since we were young officers in Vietnam.
When I got this e-mail, I hit the roof.
You don't stage a war game then tie the enemy team's hands to ensure that the good guys win.
General West used exactly the tactics the Iraqis or Al Qaeda are going to use ( TV clicks off ) Apparently, the General sent an e-mail stating his case to a few "professional friends.
" I just finished moving the Members off of the view of General West as an egomaniac who'll stop at nothing to prove a point.
And now he he pushes the "send Ollie" key.
He's got a history of saying what he thinks career be damned.
He must feel it's worth it.
Yeah, maybe it's time for an insanity plea.
RABB: I picked up some newspapers on the way in, sir.
"General Calls Exercise a Sham.
" "Ready or not, General Says Not.
" This is my personal favorite, sir: "General on Scripted War Game The Fix Was In.
" The truth prevails, Commander.
Sir, you're being court-martialed for exceeding orders in a war game you conducted as though it were your own personal training demonstration.
Now you're courting the media.
I have my reasons, Commander.
Like sticking it to General Manzarek on the front page, sir? This is not a pissing contest between the Army and the Marine Corps.
My only objective here is to prepare our troops for war.
And I am trying to keep you in uniform, sir so you'll be there to lead them.
( sis ) So What's the plan? We answer the charges, sir.
We put your field commanders on the stand.
Have them testify to the fact that you played the game smart, not dirty.
Think that'll work? Well, if they can't speak eloquently to your leadership and your character, sir we still have one card left to play.
What's that? We put you on the stand, sir.
According to targeting sensor data you recorded 12 Blue Team aircraft kills.
How? We used passive radar, then visually acquired the targets and took them down with stinger missiles.
Was this within the rules? The Op orders required that we disable only the primary radar, nosecondary systems.
We just went off the script, Commander.
I know people say these exercises aren't about winning and losing but we're preparing for war.
If it's not about that, then what is it about? RABB: Major Moseley, you were in charge of General West's Naval Ops? That's correct.
When you launched the attack on a carrier group, Commander did you employ civilian assets? We used private boats and planes.
But we applied Red Team flags and markers.
I believe that made them military assets in compliance with Op orders.
Thank you, Commander.
Your witness.
Commander, the zodiac boats were launched from fishing trawlers.
Were the trawlers flying Red Team flags? No, Commander.
They sound like civilian assets to me.
Weren't you stretching the rules? I don't know, Commander but maybe you should ask the men and women who survived the attack on the Cole if they were hit by civilian assets.
Al Qaeda has their own definition for Rules of Engagement.
RABB: Colonel Swift, you launched a simulated chemical weapons attack on Blue Team forces, correct? That's correct.
We hit them with tear gas as soon as they hit the beach.
Simulated chem-tipped artillery.
The Op orders banned the use of weapons of mass destruction, Colonel.
Weren't you violating the rules? Not as I defined weapons of mass destruction.
These weren't SCUDs dropped on a city.
There was a limited tactical delivery on a military target.
Thank you, Colonel.
Your witness.
Now, surely, Colonel, you can see why the Blue Team might dispute your definition of weapons of mass destruction.
Objection.
Argumentative.
Overruled.
Unbelievable.
MACKENZIE: You may answer the question, Colonel.
In war, disputes are settled on the battlefield.
The bully makes the rules, right? Now, that's argumentative.
Sustained.
The Geneva Convention prohibits chemical weapons.
Wasn't the Red Team required to follow the International Rules of War? The Geneva Convention wasn't exactly giving me my orders, Commander.
No, General West was.
And he ordered you to gas the enemy, correct? Objection.
Overruled.
Answer the question.
The General gave the order to attack if that's what you're asking.
But you ask any squad leader, and they'll tell you that the biggest threat on the battlefield is chemical weapons.
Now, we need to be ready.
General West understands that.
Thank you, Colonel.
Given the hour, we'll recess and reconvene tomorrow at 0930.
Meredith: The pièce De résistance.
( gasps slightly ) Go ahead.
So, how do you like it? ( exhales ) This is truly amazing.
I mean, Meredith, the whole dinner The the tuna sashimi, the the risotto, the veal.
I-I can't believe it.
You must have been cooking all afternoon.
I have a confession to make.
I got home late.
This all came from Le Jardin.
I hope you're not disappointed.
Oh, a good dinner's a welcome change.
You know ( chuckles ) believe or not There was a time when I couldn't cook at all.
When-when was that? High School.
I remember one day in Home EC I had an accident.
I was julienning potatoes, and-and the knife slipped.
It took the ER doc 30 stitches.
You seem to have come through it okay.
Oh, no, no, not me! M-My cooking partner.
Oh, poor Dennis, he was the only boy in class.
Well, he learned to play tennis with his left hand.
But I still feel bad about the scholarship.
A.
J.
? What's the matter? I feel as though you're not telling me something.
It's about work, isn't it? Um, the Commander and the Colonel are going at it again.
And you feel responsible? Well You are not their father, A.
J.
They're adults.
And as soon as they realize that all of this passion is coming from a place that is not work-related, then Well, then all the Sturm and Drang will go away.
To be replaced by more of the same.
Talk about two people that are candidates for couples therapy.
Well, maybe they're not alone.
( phone rings ) Roberts.
Good afternoon, sir.
Yes, sir, I will.
Thank you.
Who was it, sweetie? It was the Admiral.
He wants to see me on Thursday.
How did he sound? Same as always.
Gruff? Ill-tempered.
Impatient? Pretty much all that, yeah.
Harriet, I've been through the worst of it.
Everything else is Just what it is.
RABB: General West, as Red Team leader, what was your mission in this exercise, sir? To present the U.
S.
Forces with an aggressive and determined foe.
And to that end, sir, you used tactics you deemed appropriate? I believe so, Commander.
Within Op orders, sir? As I understood them.
I have a different view of training from some of my superiors.
I don't believe in scripted games.
I think we should be ready for all comers.
And with this mindset, sir you approached this exercise, correct? I was in the Gulf War in '91.
I led my battalion into a town where Shia villagers had been gassed to death.
I saw the bodies of men, women and children twisted and contorted.
I didn't just see civilians murdered I saw my men; saw what could happen.
I vowed then to make sure we were prepared for the evil we were facing.
The evil we face now.
Thank you, General.
Your witness.
You referred to your service in the Gulf War, sir.
Do you remember an incident that happened on a road ten miles west of Basra? May we approach? I'm familiar with this incident.
It happened ten years ago and has no bearing here.
I disagree, Your Honor.
It goes to pattern of behavior.
The issues are unrelated, Your Honor.
The defense opened this avenue, Your Honor when the General used his war record to justify his actions.
I'll allow it for now.
Do you recall the incident, sir? Yes.
My battalion attacked a column of Iraqi Republican Guard.
As they were retreating, isn't that true, sir? They'd fired on my men.
This attack happened 12 hours after a cease fire had been declared isn't that right, General? Yes, I hadn't received word.
Your C.
O.
said that the order had been sent.
But not received, Commander.
An inquiry, sir, found that you had your forces they were supposed to be.
You took out 80 tanks and armored vehicles and killed over A reporter later called it: "A turkey shoot.
" Am I right, sir? Those were his words.
T me get this straight, General.
You were deep behind enemy lines against orders attacking an enemy that was retreating under a flag of truce.
I guess that's what happens when you play fast and loose with the rules, sir.
Objection.
Turner: Withdrawn.
Thank you, General.
Morning, General.
You know that the five separate inquiries cleared me of all charges.
I know that now.
Did you say we should have gone all the way to Baghdad, General? I'm trained to see military solutions not political ones.
That's the big difference between General Manzarek and me.
RABB: I did some research, sir.
General Manzarek served in the Gulf War, too.
He testified again you in the initial inquiry into the incident in '91.
He was there that day.
Is it true, General? You mean, did I fire on innocent men retreating under a white flag? The Iraqis had fired on my troops, Commander.
I was going to make damn sure they didn't do it again.
Can I help you, sir? Oh, I I know the way, Petty Officer.
Thank you.
( exhales deeply ) Oh I Should have knocked.
You must be Lieutenant Roberts.
Yeah, what's left of him.
Lieutenant Commander Tracy Manetti.
This was your office before it was Lieutenant Singer's office.
Before it was your office.
And you didn't know? It's all right, Commander.
It's a heck of way to find out.
Well, my life has been full of surprises recently.
Nice to meet you, ma'am.
Now I see what they mean.
You're a kind of a legend around here.
To that, I'd add: the very picture of a northern gentleman.
Thank you, ma'am.
Sir, Lieutenant Roberts reporting as ordered, sir.
Sorry, Lieutenant, I forgot to mention Commander Manetti.
Sure space is getting quite short around here, Admiral.
Should we talk in my office? You have news, sir? My office.
Hey.
Putting your life in Tiner's hands, huh? No, I made this fresh.
You want some? I promise you won't taste the poison.
Tough day in court yesterday.
Oh, you noticed.
Excuse me.
You know, I wasn't expecting any favors.
With any other judge, I'd have won this case days ago.
I'm sorry I'm not complying with your schedule.
Every time I work in an advantage, you slap me down.
Because you ask for it.
You're relentless, you know that? Mmm so I've heard.
I'm the hanging judge.
The source of all your problems, right? That's right.
But though it pains me to admit it, you're good.
You don't let me get away with the stuff I pull on other judges.
You really do know my playbook.
Most of all though, Mac you know the law And I hate you for it.
I'll take that as a compliment.
Good.
Just remember this magnanimity when I'm on the bench, okay? Excuse me, Colonel, Commander.
The Admiral's called a meeting in the conference room.
Thanks, Tiner.
CHEDWIDDEN: As you all know given the severity of Lieutenant Roberts' injuries and resulting complications there's been a delay in the disposition of his case.
So, I got on a conference call with his team of physicians at Bethesda this morning and they approved his return to JAG on limited duty.
He'll be rejoining us in two weeks.
MacKENZIE: That's great news, Admiral.
I second that.
Limited duty is not permanent reinstatement, sir.
No.
If Lieutenant Roberts wants to return to full duty he's going to have to get by the Physical Evaluation Board.
The doctors inform me that 85% of the disabled personnel that go before the Board are found unfit.
They're given disability discharges, sir? I'm assuming you told the Lieutenant all this, Admiral.
About an hour ago.
How did he take it, sir? Guardedly optimistic As I think we all should be.
Turner: Bud's a lawyer.
A missing leg shouldn't slow him down.
Not here, but if he was billeted to a ship or a war zone Full duty is full duty, Sturgis.
Commander Rabb.
Excuse me, sir.
You have a visitor.
Thank you.
Look, Sturgis, we need to talk.
General West? Deal's not going to be easy now, huh? Give me a moment, will you? I'll, I'll come and see you.
Good to see you again, Commander.
Colonel Haller.
Have a seat.
I heard about what happened with General West.
Well it's not the first time past acts have come back to haunt an officer.
I know.
That's why I'm here.
I have information I think will cast this whole matter in a different light, Commander.
I delivered that to General Manzarek myself.
At the time, I thought it was the right thing to do.
That General West was a loose cannon Dangerous, they all said.
I believed it.
I don't believe it anymore.
Your timing is a little off, Colonel.
I screwed up, Commander.
It's a hard thing to admit.
And General Manzarek has had a lot to do with my advancement.
But a good officer a good man Is being crucified in that courtroom and it's got to stop.
This will put a bullet in your career.
I hope you realize that.
I do.
There's a statue of MacArthur at West Point I walked by every day for four years.
Below, there's a quote: "Your mission remains fixed, determined, inviolable.
"It is to win our wars.
"All other public purposes "will find others for their accomplishment.
"Yours is the profession of arms the will to win.
"The sure knowledge that in war "there is no substitute for victory "that the very obsession of your public service must be duty, honor, country.
" I put on this uniform for a reason, Commander.
For a while I forgot.
General West reminded me.
MANZAREK: I chose General West despite his reputation for "freelancing" because he's an effective OPFOR commander.
General, you had described his Red Team tactics in previous war games as "disruptive and corrosive to the maintenance of good order and discipline.
" Is that right, sir? I may have said that.
Your Honor This is a copy of a report outlining, in broad strokes the Red Team battle plan for this exercise.
It was provided to General Manzarek by General West's Chief of Staff, Colonel Haller five months before the exercise began.
I would like it entered into evidence and marked for identification as Defense exhibit E.
Objection, Your Honor.
The Government hasn't seen this.
It recently came to light.
Approach, Counselor.
Eleventh-hour disclosure doesn't sit well with me.
You should know that, Commander.
I had no alternative.
I'm sure if you look, Your Honor you'll see the probative value far outweighs any procedural problem.
Colonel, you're not going to allow this.
I'm afraid I am.
You may proceed, Commander.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Colonel Haller has made a statement he delivered this report to you personally.
Do you recognize it? Yes, Commander, I've seen it.
Sir, five months prior to these war games you had a copy of a report briefly outlining General West's proposed tactics.
The passive radar, the chemical weapons, the civilian assets Isn't that right, sir? That's correct, Commander.
In broad strokes, not specifics.
Now, sir, knowing what General West had planned if you had a problem with his tactics why didn't you do something about it in the five months prior to the game? Because, sir, the game was rigged, wasn't it? The plan was to give General West enough rope to hang himself.
To get rid of an officer you had branded as disruptive and corrosive.
Isn't that right, sir? Like rules in a war game, I guess evidence, too is open to interpretation, Commander.
Training, tactics, technology.
They all matter when it comes to preparing us for war and those who don't acknowledge it are as great a threat to us as our enemies.
( sighs ) Thank you, General.
That will be all.
Will the accused and counsel please rise? MacKENZIE: You may publish your findings.
"Major General Lucas West, United States Marine Corps "on the charge and specification of Reckless Endangerment "this court finds you not guilty.
"On the charge and the specification" of Willful Disobedience of a Superior Commissioned Officer "this court finds you not guilty.
" Court is adjourned.
Thank you, Commander.
I'm really not the one to thank, sir.
Colonel Hailer's a good man.
Service needs more like him.
Congratulations, General.
Once in a while it feels good to see the other side win.
Let's hope the real victory, Commander is reserved for the battlefield.
Yes, sir.
If you two will excuse me, I owe a good man a drink.
Gentlemen.
Sir.
Glad this one's over.
Yeah, you and I both.
An appeal before this judge would be murder.
You two seem okay with the verdict.
Well, we restrict our differences to the workplace.
I'll remember that next time I patch of you up after a basketball game.
I was going to grab some dinner.
You two care to join me? Depends who's buying.
I'm feeling rich.
What, You get extra pay for being a judge? I should look into this.
Don't.
Don't.