Original subtitles

Mr. Carbison?

Mr. Carbison, listen to me.

We'll give you one last chance to save your worthless life.

Wish to die?

We're going in for a closer look.

It's no use, sir.

Finish it.

He wasted our time.

Get him now!

Get on your feet!

On your feet!

Who are you?

Maybe Seals.

You know how to use this. I'm a diplomat.

Point is good. Let's go.

With father's footsteps as a naval aviator, Lieutenant Commander Harmon

suffered a crash while landing his Tomcat on a storm -tossed carrier at

Diagnosed with night blindness, Harm transferred to the Navy's Judge Advocate

General Corps, which investigates, defends, and prosecutes the law of the

There, with fellow JAG lawyer Major Sarah McKenzie, he now fights in and out

the courtroom with the same daring and tenacity that made him a top gun in the

air.

Undersecretary of State Lawrence Culbertson was rescued last night from

terrorists. A Lieutenant Curtis Rivers, platoon commander for SEAL Team 7, got

Culbertson out single -handedly. Attention on deck. As you were.

Leave it to the SEALs. Worthy sentiment, Commander, since they are the most

effective strike force in the world. Absolutely, Admiral.

Apparently, the President agrees with me. He asked the Secretary of Navy to

nominate Lieutenant Rivers for the Medal of Honor.

Must have been one hell of a rescue, sir.

Culbertson's the president's point man in the Middle East peace talks.

Rivers saved him without regard for his own personal safety and accounted for

eight enemy casualties.

Anyway, Secnav wants Jag to determine if Lieutenant Rivers is actually entitled

to the medal.

You want us to investigate the incident?

Not just the incident, Major.

The president wants assurance there is nothing in Lieutenant Rivers' past that

might cause embarrassment.

To Lieutenant Rivers or the president?

Lieutenant Rivers and his men have returned to the Naval Special Warfare

Coronado. You will find him on instructor detail.

All of us to California?

Unless you have other plans.

No, sir.

Good.

Expect a full and fair evaluation.

Ignore the politics.

And remember, you need testimony from two eyewitnesses.

Yes,

sir.

Oh, and don't let the fact that I'm a former SEAL influence your decision.

Absolutely not, sir.

We just got our orders, Harriet.

We leave in a few hours.

I know it wrecks our plans.

I'm going to miss you, too.

I can't wait to get back.

Really?

No, it's just that I've heard that stiletto heels can be bad for your

I'll get right on that, Captain Harwick.

I didn't know Bruce Harwick wore stiletto heels.

Sir, did you know that the first Navy SEAL who won the Congressional Medal of

Honor was Senator Bob Carey? Did you know that you're beet red right now? You

know, he wasn't a senator when he received the medal. He was a Lieutenant

sir. Nice diversion, bud.

Yeah, yeah, he lost a leg leading a SEAL raid against Viet Cong snipers, but was

still able to direct a counterattack, which, which... Yes, sir?

Would you get on the computer and pull up everything you can on Lieutenant

Rivers? Let's see who we're dealing with.

Aye, aye, sir.

I spoke with the Secretary of the Navy personally about Lieutenant Rivers.

So why is the Judge Advocate General Corps involved in this? This is strictly

routine, sir.

My guess is that the second half is routinely covering his butt.

Well, we have no knowledge of that, sir.

You folks believe in heroes?

Yes, sir.

I suppose so.

I never did.

When soldiers shoot at each other I that usually means that I failed But this

man this this lieutenant rivers He risked his life to protect me he never

hesitated he never doubted he just stood there in the line of fire shooting back

and Then he carried me to safety He didn't even know me

That's a true hero

Get your helmet. Get on your covers. Hurry up.

Come on, do that. Let's go.

Quick, please.

Class, let's go.

Love, PT. Let's go. Let's go.

Get them off, ladies.

Get them off. Hurry up.

Hurry up. Ready.

Begin.

Any of you little kittens want to quit?

and cookies for anybody who wants to cast their chips and ring the bell. I

cake for the officers. Anybody?

No, sir!

What do you think of this? G .I. Jane?

No, sir!

You want to stay and fight?

No, sir!

Let me hear you!

No, sir!

A SEAL must focus on the mission, must accomplish its goal, regardless of its

injury, the pain, the heat, the cold.

We're here to train your minds as well as your bodies. Your mind can teach your

body how to function. Your strength. not in your muscles it's in your brains in

your brains now why don't you get your brains to get your legs to do another

five left let's go

Gigi Roberts, we'd like to talk to you.

Do I have to talk back, sir?

Bronze star for heroism in Panama.

Bringing a CIA operative in a daring raid on the Carcel Modelo prison.

And a letter of instruction for disrespect toward a superior

officer.

Nominated for the Navy Cross for bravery in capturing an Iraqi oil platform in

the Gulf during Desert Storm.

denied the cross, and issued a warning for violating an order of the same

nature.

If a brother improvises, especially a brother who's a Mustang, he gets written

up. If a white boy from the academy does the exact same thing, he's showing

individual initiative.

A brother?

An African American.

A black man.

A Negro.

Don't play the race card with us, Lieutenant.

Let's get a couple things straight, Major.

One, I don't play.

And two, I'm just stating the facts.

Speaking of facts, Lieutenant, I didn't get much out of your after -action

report on the mission in Lebanon. The information was sketchy at best.

So I'm right.

I fight.

Care to tell us what happened that night?

I rescued an undersecretary of state.

Any details?

I'll leave that up to you, Commander.

Perhaps you don't understand our assignment.

You want to make sure I'm not an embarrassment.

The first thing the two of you asked me was about the Dean's and my service

record.

I know all about the Navy and its lawyers.

You don't know about us, Lieutenant.

And quite frankly, you're not helping your cause any. I don't have a cause,

Commander. I just do my job.

I let you pencil pushers do yours.

The Navy Cross won't make me a better SEAL.

Lieutenant, you're not up for the Navy Cross.

You've been nominated for the Medal of Honor.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of

What's the real reason?

The President believes you've earned it.

Chief, we need to debrief you about the night under Secretary Coulson's address.

I'll tell you what I know.

That would be refreshing.

Lieutenant Rivers is not much of a talker, ma 'am.

Well, why don't you tell us what happened that night?

Okay.

We came ashore in two Zodiacs, and we left them at the insert extract point

proceeded south to an observational rally point about 300 yards from where

hostage was being held.

We were there for recon.

A ranger team was tasked with the rescue, and they were due in 10 minutes.

What happened to change the mission?

Lieutenant Rivers believed Culbertson was in imminent danger.

The rangers hadn't shown up yet, so the lieutenant decided to do a closer recon

on the building.

He took Douglas with him.

Douglas got hit.

The lieutenant went in on his own.

Is that standard procedure?

Well, there's nothing standard about lieutenant's procedures, ma 'am.

It's getting hot out here, isn't it? Why don't we go on inside? My wife's making

some lemonade.

Did you see Lieutenant Rivers pull Culbertson out?

No, sir. We were taking fire from the sentries. They had my full attention.

We got company, honey.

Be right there.

Please. Thanks.

So what do you think about what the lieutenant did, Chief?

He's a real deal deal, sir.

So you admire him?

Lieutenant is a result -oriented person, ma 'am. That good or bad?

The men are often challenged by his orders, sir.

Wasn't that his job, to test you, to keep you combat ready?

The lieutenant likes to improvise.

Isn't that what fields are trained to do, improvise? Oh, man.

No, you plan your dive and you dive your plan.

A year and a half ago, we lost our explosives man in Angola.

It didn't have to happen.

Six months ago, during downed pilot training in Nevada, three members of our

team were injured rappelling into a ravine.

You don't like the lieutenant, do you?

The lieutenant and I have never socialized.

Does that answer your question, sir?

How does it feel to be taking orders from an African -American chief?

Anybody thirsty?

I'm used to that, sir.

Remember that, Major McKenzie?

This is my wife, Sandy.

Hi. Hello.

See, Commander, I don't object to Lieutenant Rivers because he's black.

I object to him because he gets people killed.

Major McKenzie. John Barrow. Special assistant to the President.

It's good to meet you.

How's the investigation going?

Well, we don't have enough information to form an opinion yet, sir.

That's a politician's answer, Commander.

Is there a problem?

Not that we know of. We just want to be thorough.

I support that.

Lieutenant's an African -American. It's important he be afforded fair treatment.

As should a man of any color, sir.

Agreed. But keep in mind, in World War II, 433 medals of honor were awarded,

none to African Americans. Until the current administration.

If that's correct, 50 years after the fact.

Mr. Barrow, you are not suggesting we make up for past discrimination by

awarding the medal to someone who hasn't earned it, are you? Commander, the

president believes that awarding a medal to a minority would promote national

healing. It would help bring us together.

For a good photo op.

Come for the meatloaf.

That's my favorite.

I've already told you everything you need to know about me.

Okay, let's talk about the meatloaf.

Said it's a hell of a lot better than the MREs in Desert Storm.

You led the SEAL diversion at Mena Saud, didn't you?

I came up in Zodiac, swam ashore, laid C4 down along the beach.

Man, you must have been close enough to the Iraqis to smell them.

Yeah, one of them almost stepped on my head.

They detonated the plastic.

First we planted buoys in the water.

As if you were marking the way for landing craft.

Right.

When that C4 went off, the Iraqis thought we were doing an amphibious

And then Storm and Norman took the troops and the armor right over ground.

It was great.

So it was all a feint.

Right.

Just like the three of you pretended to love my sea stories.

He's trying to make conversation, Lieutenant.

You got something to ask me, then ask it.

All right.

How do you get along with Chief Wilkins?

That's between us.

Do you want this medal, Rivers?

It's just a trinket.

You know, General Patton once said he would sell his soul for the Medal of

Honor.

General Patton wasn't a seal.

We don't do what we do for the ribbons, ma 'am.

Men die for their buddies.

Others die for their country.

And some die for no reason at all.

But no one, no one I know, ever died for a medal.

Excuse me.

Once in a while, Lieutenant.

What's going on? That's Leonard Kress from World Update magazine.

Lieutenant is the subject of a photo essay. Kind of a day -in -the -life

of a battle hero.

Thing is, he's not very animated.

I wouldn't ask him to smile. I'm going to make sure those muscles work.

things to her.

You're the only one who can save her.

Save her!

Come on, save her!

Ah, this crowd's got a soft shell. Throw it back in the pot and we'll have them

for dinner. Come on!

Don't do it!

Simon, get back with your class.

He's no longer a member of that class. Catch up!

There were sentries on the roof of the building, and I took a hit in the gut.

Are you going to be all right?

I lost six feet of my large intestines, ma 'am.

I'm going to have to wear a bag and eat cream of wheat for the rest of my life.

Petty officer Douglas, we are looking for confirmation of Lieutenant Rivers'

actions during the rescue.

I'm afraid I can't help you, sir.

Why is that?

Because I didn't see the lieutenant's actions.

other than he took out a guard and entered the building, and then I got

And after that, I didn't see anything else.

Next thing I know, Chief Wilkins was bending over me in the boat.

How do you feel about Lieutenant Rivers?

Lieutenant Rivers is the leader of my team, sir.

Do you have an opinion about whether he deserves the Medal of Honor?

Well, as far as I'm concerned...

There were no heroes that night.

We're looking for details, Petty Officer Hanna. There are gaps in our

understanding of the events.

I'll do what I can, sir.

Did you witness Lieutenant Rivers' rescue under Secretary Culverston?

No, sir, I did not.

I thought SEALs were trained to be observant.

Yes, ma 'am. We're also trained to be smart.

Are you saying Lieutenant Rivers wasn't smart?

I'm saying Lieutenant Rivers was stupid.

In what way?

What happened that night?

Lieutenant Rivers was listening to the kidnappers through a parabolic mic.

We're going in for a closer look.

Lieutenant, Rangers will be here in ten minutes.

The hostages will be dead by then. We're going in. Our mission is recon, not

rescue, sir.

I just changed our mission. You got a problem with that? It's affirmative,

We are not prepared for rescue.

We're prepared if I say we're prepared.

We got no plan, no backup.

This is my plan. This is my backup.

Your plan is to get people killed.

What did you say?

With all due respect, sir, I believe changing this mission now is reckless in

your mind. Tell that to the man inside that building who's getting ready to be

executed. We don't know that for sure.

Are you refusing to obey my order?

No, sir.

Douglas, you and I are going up to the building to recon.

The others will stay here for cover and backup.

Move it out.

Roger.

By attacking the building, Lieutenant Rivers revealed our presence. He also

endangered the hostage.

But if he believed Culbertson was about to be killed... Culbertson was a

valuable hostage. Why would they suddenly kill him?

So the lieutenant acted recklessly.

Yes, ma 'am. That's what I've been saying.

Thank you, Petty Officer.

You're welcome, sir. As you were.

We trying to reward someone for needlessly endangering his men?

It's only one man's testimony, Mac.

Yeah, but it's the only testimony we've got.

What is your problem, mister?

What is your problem?

You make me sick.

You are the sorry bunch of filth. Why don't you go join the Coast Guard?

Not your typical medal -winning personality.

Santa River's medal is in serious jeopardy, bud.

He may not only lose the medal, he could very well be facing a charge of

dereliction of duty.

Ambulance chasing?

Social call.

Well, I would venture a guess, Lieutenant, that you have never been

The Navy wanted me to have a wife. They'd issue me one with my dog tags and

sea bag.

Being the wife of a Navy SEAL is no picnic.

All the separations, they don't know where you are.

It doesn't promote a real close relationship.

I saw what it did to my parents.

I don't want no part of it.

My dad, he loved the Navy.

Never made it above the rank of seaman.

That's him in the middle.

Seaman Edgar Rivers.

Would have made one hell of an officer.

Never made it out of the galley.

Did you know in the entire history of the United States Navy, there wasn't a

black officer until near the end of World War II?

Yeah, the Navy's making up for that.

Yeah, a little too late for my father.

He lived and breathed the Navy.

Until he died.

He died in a brig.

Busted and rank and broken in spirit.

What was the offense?

Someone stole some money out of the officer's woodroom.

They blamed my pop.

Court -martialed him.

He hanged himself in his cell.

I'm sorry.

Six months later, a white bosun's maid admitted to the crime after being busted

doing the same thing on another ship.

The JAG officer prosecuted my father.

Another one defended him.

Neither one of them believed him.

Well, that explains why you feel the way you do about Navy lawyers.

I was just a toddler at the time.

I don't really remember much.

But I did get to read the letters that he wrote my mom while I was in prison.

No bitterness.

Not one shred of hate in the man.

Must have had a big heart.

He did.

Doesn't run in the family, though.

That is so sweet.

Harriet? What? I can't hear you.

It's Bud Roberts, Jr.

Let me call you later when I get to the room.

I miss you.

Me too.

Bye.

Hey, you seen?

Yeah.

Excuse me, could I get another pineapple?

Sure. Three in one night. You surprised me, Bud.

I'm drowning in my sorrows, ma 'am.

You got it bad, Lieutenant.

Permission to speak freely, ma 'am?

Look at the black kettle calling the pot the same thing.

I am not lovesick, bud.

You called the commander Dalton.

I did not.

Yes, you did. Twice.

I can't believe you didn't say anything.

I think he's just afraid of losing you, ma 'am.

You're leaving Jag, aren't you, ma 'am?

No one's offered me anything yet, but... What if they do?

Excuse me.

Where are you going?

I'd like to dedicate this to the

most important woman in my life.

I saw the flickering shadows of love on the blind.

you a cigar, man?

I would be if they didn't taste like goat patties.

I don't like them.

Now, if they could roll a bottle of Jack in a tobacco leaf, it would be a

different story.

You know, my mother used to say that stars were holes poked in the black

of night.

It's God's way of letting us know he was still watching us from the other side.

Yeah, isn't it?

Yeah.

Didn't look at my killer that night.

Guess it didn't have much influence, huh?

Lieutenant, I'm going to be honest with you.

One of your men has accused you of endangering the team and the hostage the

night of the rescue.

Claims you're out of control and acted without discretion.

You must think you got me drunk enough to answer your questions, huh?

He blames the casualties on your inadequate leadership skills.

I'm giving you an opportunity to defend yourself.

The truth shall not set us free.

If you actually believe that, then I pity you.

Look, it's going to take a lot more than cigars and bourbon and your pity to get

anything out of me.

Oh, yeah?

What would it take?

You know the secret to happiness, Commander?

Yours, I don't.

I can't squeeze it out.

Without Lieutenant Rivers' account of the events, I have to rely on the

testimony of his men.

Which is damning. Yes, sir.

And if you had to make a decision now?

I'd cancel mental considerations and proceed with an investigation into

misconduct in the field.

Look, Commander, the SecNav is getting pressure from the White House. He's

expecting us to give him some relief.

I understand that, sir. We're feeling it here, too.

Well, there's got to be another way in.

The lieutenant is a hard case, sir. He has zero support.

With the exception of Undersecretary Culbertson.

The man saved my life.

For God's sake, I'm sorry if his men were put in danger, but correct me if

wrong. Isn't it a dangerous job?

Damn straight.

So, what's the problem?

There seems to be some concern about Lieutenant Rivers' behavior in the

It's extremely rare for a SEAL team to publicly question one of their own,

especially their superior.

Are you saying that the lieutenant is not worthy?

His men have raised serious questions. Was the lieutenant in control? Was his

attitude acceptable?

Was he correct in changing the mission?

Yes, I would say, selfishly.

I understand how you feel, sir, but if the lieutenant is to be awarded this

medal, I need more than just your gratitude.

For example?

You were the only eyewitness to the rescue. Can you remember anything else

it?

Anything in particular?

Any details you may have overlooked?

What do you remember about what went on after the firefight?

Well, after the lieutenant brought me out of the building, he hit me behind

rocks, and then when he came back, he just... Wait a minute.

Came back from where? I don't know. I saw this big red flare, and then he

reappeared, and he carried me out of there.

Did Lieutenant Rivers set up a flare after Culbertson's rescue?

Yes, sir. A red pop -up.

Thanks. Why?

Well, I was to notify us of Petty Officer Douglas' position.

Douglas was down.

Yes, sir.

So the lieutenant took responsibility for Douglas' safety as well?

Well, with all due respect, ma 'am, he would not have needed to be saved if he

hadn't been endangered.

You're a difficult man to impress, Chief.

Sir, Petty Officer Douglas was wounded badly.

It was not a time for enthusiasm.

For the moment, put aside the fact that Lieutenant Rivers changed the mission

and consider the events of the rescue. Can you do that?

Yes, sir. I can do that. What is your opinion now of what Lieutenant Rivers

You know the first rule of a SEAL's team, sir?

Enlighten us, Chief.

Never leave your man.

What are you saying?

Douglas was by himself when we got there.

Lieutenant fired the flare.

No left. With Culbertson on his back. Yeah, but he abandoned his man, sir.

All right, what if Lieutenant Rivers stayed behind to help Douglas, and as a

result, Undersecretary Culbertson was killed?

That would be unfortunate.

But that rule exists for the sake of undersecretaries everywhere.

Our bond is what makes SEALs successful.

So Lieutenant Rivers seriously violated the SEAL code.

How the hell do you... Admiral?

I'm here. We're running out of time. What do you have?

Well, sir, apparently Rivers left Douglas alone in the process of rescuing

Undersecretary Culbertson.

Oh, this is bad news, Commander.

Well, he did it to save Culbertson's life, sir.

Doesn't matter, Major.

SEALs do what they do because they can rely on each other. The team is

everything. You never leave your man.

So we've discovered, sir.

So there's no one left to talk to. We've gotten everyone's story.

Not everyone's.

Your version of the rescue, Lieutenant.

No evasion, no games, no crap.

Just straight talk, huh?

Man to man.

I say what happened, and you two dedicated lawyers, seekers of the truth,

take my word for it, right?

Well, that depends on what you tell us.

Sit down, Lieutenant.

We're not done.

So here's what we know so far.

You're an irresponsible leader, a Rambo who puts his men's lives in danger.

Is there anything else we should know?

If there is, you better tell us right now, because frankly, we are tired of

asking. Good.

And maybe if you get tired enough, you'll just go away.

After what happened to your father, we understand how you feel about lawyers.

You don't know anything about me or what I do.

You don't have the right to understand me.

Oh, I know you, Rivers.

You're a hard -ass Mustang with a chip on your shoulder using your father as an

excuse. I can do anything I want because Seaman Edgar Rivers was personal.

Stop it!

Back off, Lieutenant!

Do it!

Good thing you got your woman to protect you there, Commander.

Anytime, anyplace, Rivers.

Oh, you stepping up to the plate? I can handle anything you got. I got the last

day of Hell Week.

Why don't you put on some greens and come join the party?

So you can push me around?

You can handle anything I got.

All right.

Bogdol, you tell me your story, and I'll be there.

Are you serious?

You make it through the day.

I'll give you my biography.

Commander.

Hope you're ready for this.

Welcome to the last phase of SEAL training, Commander.

You've been captured by the enemy.

Your task is a simple one.

All you have to do is survive.

Lawyers.

Something wrong?

That old knight blindness thing acting up again?

That's what it indicates in your service record, isn't it?

Crashed a Tomcat on a carrier deck at night.

It's okay. Look at me.

Huh?

What's the name of your real buddy?

Huh? Was he a nice guy?

Was he your friend?

Huh? He liked you, didn't he?

He trusted you. He had to. He put his life in your hands.

Stupid sucker.

It's clear.

How do you like answering the questions now?

Huh?

What do you think? A lawyer with nothing to say.

You want to take a shot at me, Commander?

Huh?

Lieutenant.

What?

Take it easy.

You're supposed to test him, not break him.

Anything else?

Yeah. I'll get the corpsman. You do that.

You know the secret of happiness, Lieutenant?

Tell me what happened.

Tell me what you heard.

You needlessly endangered your men.

And you believe that?

Three of your team were injured, plus the hostage.

Anything else?

You broke the seal code.

You left your man.

Is it true?

I don't have to defend myself to you, to them, or to anyone.

The mission I took was to save the Undersecretary of State.

I did that.

Why do your men resent you?

Resent me?

They hate my guts.

Why?

Because I operate instinctively, regardless of their wishes.

They still follow you.

They have to.

I'll wake them.

It's not because they respect you.

You went back for Douglas?

Yeah.

He'll let a flare so the others would come and find him.

Did Douglas tell you that?

He was unconscious.

Is that what he said?

Wasn't he?

Whatever.

Why won't you speak on your own behalf, Lieutenant?

Because all the medals in the world will make you better later.

Commander. What happened to you? It's a long story.

How are you feeling?

About the fame.

Depressed? A little.

Bitter? What do you mean, sir?

Are you angry?

Feel you got a raw deal?

Some, I suppose.

Is that why you lied to me?

Sir?

You weren't unconscious during the rescue, were you?

You're a lousy liar, Petty Officer Douglas.

Probably not enough practice.

Try the truth. The truth?

The truth is he gets nominated for a medal, and I get to be an invalid for

rest of my life because he couldn't wait.

You saw him pull Culbertson out.

You saw him kill the terrorists.

You saw him carry Culbertson to safety, didn't you?

Yes, sir, I did.

For what?

Did Lieutenant Rivers abandon you?

He came over there.

I told him to get out of there, get the hostage down to the beach.

He fired a flare to mark my position.

And when he saw our men heading towards us, he left.

A minute later, the guys were there.

So he didn't abandon you?

No.

Maybe he deserves the medal. I don't know. But I wouldn't want to serve with

again.

I mean, you know,

Not that I need to worry about that.

Lieutenant Rivers deserves the medal.

You deserve a little relief.

Let go of the anger.

Forgive the man so you can get on with your life.

I won't forgive him.

But I won't lie anymore.

What are you looking for, sir?

I'm looking for a second eyewitness.

You got one.

Thank

you.

Together on this day, we offer a prayer for peace and a tribute to those who

defend it.

Together on this day, we say thank you to those who step forward to safeguard

our security and our ideals.

What better way to express our gratitude than by presenting this country's

highest military decoration for valor?

Mr. Undersecretary.

Mr. President.

For his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity, At the risk of his life

beyond the call of duty, Lieutenant Curtis Rivers, United States Navy, an

American hero, is hereby awarded the Medal of Honor.

Your nation thanks you, and may God bless you.

I would have followed you anywhere.