Original subtitles

Center yourself on the hatch.

Speak. Sir, Robert Rodriguez.

Why'd you join the Marine Corps? Sir, I thought it was the best outfit, sir.

You got started out on the wrong foot, didn't you? You started off on the right

foot instead of the left.

Yes, sir. But you're squared away now, aren't you? Yes, sir. You saw the light.

Yes, sir. The great light, the white light. Yes, sir. The guiding light.

Yes, sir. You got the vision? Yes, sir. You gonna be good Marine? Yes, sir. All

right, get out of here.

Hi, Ash.

Show your face.

Speak. Sir, pilot Barsky pouring his orders, sir. What are you, Polish?

Yes, sir.

Yuck, she mush.

Excuse me, sir, I... You don't speak it. No, sir. Where are you from?

Philadelphia, sir.

That's where the Marine Corps was born?

Yes, sir.

181 years old, we don't use a crutch, right?

Yes, sir. Think we got a pretty good platoon? Yes, sir. What did we place in

the rifle range? Second, sir.

Second. And I gave you a streamer that said second place, too, didn't I? Yes,

sir. We don't know if we're going to keep it, though, do we?

No, sir. Depends on what these other platoons do.

Yes, sir. Think we're going to be squared away enough in that drill to

take that competition?

Yes, sir. Can we close to ten?

Yes, sir.

We slip and slide for two and sneak, don't we? Yes, sir. All right, get out

of here.

Aye, aye, sir.

Center yourself on the hatch.

Speak. Sir, Private Castor reporting as ordered, sir.

Castor, your shirt isn't buttoned, your belt buckle isn't lined up, your feet

aren't at a 45-degree angle, your head isn't square to the front, you're

looking at the sky. What are you, a bird watcher? No, sir. Get your head down.

Yes, sir.

You were 58 pounds overweight when you came down here, weren't you? Yes, sir.

You were a fat slob. You looked like the great white whale, didn't you? Yes, sir.

How much you lost?

Sir, 30 pounds, sir.

You're going to lose every ounce of that 58 pounds, you hear?

Yes, sir. Every day at chow, you will show me your trade.

Yes, sir.

You ain't going to eat no bread, no corn, no pie, cake, desserts of any

kind, no whole milk, no beans, no butter, no sugar, no potatoes, candy,

ice cream, salad dressings, or peanut butter. Yes, sir.

You came here with nothing but fat. You're going to leave here with nothing

but muscle. Yes, sir.

Pretty soon you're going to look like the after, aren't you? Yes, sir.

All right, you get back in the squad bay.

Aye, aye, sir.

Well, now, who is that tapping on my timber?

Hit the spot, baby.

Let me look at you.

Speak. Sir, sir, Prime McKinley reporting as ordered, sir.

How old are you, boy?

17, sir.

Temple shy of 18.

Yes, sir.

Well, now, just who are you? Little orphan Annie?

What are you doing in a man's outfit?

Sir, I... You better start talking like a man.

Yes, sir. You pull them words up from the gut, boy.

Growl. You better sound like a tiger. Yes, sir. No place in this Marine Corps

for little boys.

Yes, sir.

I don't think you're gonna make it, boy.

You just don't pack the gear.

Yes, sir.

Go.

Aye, sir.

Center yourself on a hatch.

Cut the center, clown. What's the matter? You out of whack?

Sir, Private Owens requests permission to speak to the drill instructor, sir.

You again, Owens. When are you going to get with the program?

Sir, Private Owens requests permission... You know, that's all I've

heard since you've been here. Private Owens requests permission, too.

Permission for what? To flake out again?

You still trying to get out, Owens?

Yes, sir.

You like that talking man, don't you?

Where do you find so much to gab to him about?

Where's the pain this time?

In your leg, your foot, your shoulder, your neck?

Maybe you got a pain in your head.

Your brain don't hurt, does it?

Does it?

No, sir.

Ain't nothing wrong with you, Owens. Everybody knows that. What, do you think

I'm blind? Don't you think I can read that P.O.U. form?

The doctor says there's nothing wrong with you, Owens, so don't try to sell it

to me.

All right, get out of my sight.

Go!

Aye, aye, sir.

All right, bed him down.

Thank you.

Rise and shine another day to serve the Corps.

Just like a bunch of little girls.

Again.

you would be dead.

Dead!

You burr-headed idiots do not appreciate my cheerful good morning.

When my back is turned, you call me bad names.

But I won't hear... you call me bad names because if i do i'll go to the

brig but i'll be thinking about you people all the time do you hear me

i can't hear you i am not your mother

i will not wake you up like your mother does do you hear me now

when the lights go on in this squad bay you clown are supposed to be at

attention.

But no!

Oh, no!

When the lights come on, where are you?

You're crawling out of them racks!

I got a hundred-year-old grandma who gets out of her sack faster than you

people. Doesn't she?

Yes, sir!

You better steady your head and eyeballs, boy. Get them on that

bulkhead.

How long you been shaving? Well, since I... What's the first word out of that

filthy mouth? Sir?

How long you been shaving? Sir, since I was 16, sir.

Well, those sideburns come off, boy, you understand. We don't wear sideburns in

this Marine Corps. Yes, sir. You know who wears sideburns, don't you? Yes,

sir. Well, you ain't got no guitar.

Yes, sir. Now, you get it off, even that peach fuzz. In this Marine Corps, you

shave from your ears all the way down to your collarbone, you hear? Yes, sir. The

only thing you do not shave is your eyebrows.

field yesterday you people were miserable you people ain't even a mob

a mob's got a leader you clowns are a herd

i'm gonna get me a sheep dog i've seen better maneuvering in a chinese

fire drill well i just want you to know today it's gonna be different

But you wish it was a summer camp, don't you?

No, sir!

You wish you could listen to radios, eat pokey meat, and smoke cigarettes,

don't you?

an enemy force of 500 men, what would you do? Kill them, sir!

After these clowns are washed up, give them 30 seconds to get in a PT uniform,

take them outside, run them around the grinder, get them in the uniform today

and take them to chow.

Right. They were slow this morning. Double time them there, herd them back.

Sergeant Braver, my trusted companion, is going to allow you to double time to

chow this morning.

Allow them to eat.

After chow, permit them to return.

When they return, grant them two minutes to prepare.

Square this area away.

and stand by to fall out for close order drill. Do you hear me?

Yes, sir!

Because you were slow this morning, the smoking lamp will not be lit

after morning chow.

Now, if you people don't show me anything today, if I keep getting this

slow deal, we're gonna get together tonight and bust that sound barrier!

I notice you're frowning this morning, mophead.

You're not angry with me, are you?

No, sir.

You know, I don't think I could stand it if I thought you were angry with me.

Been to chow?

Yeah.

Rough day today, Gunny. Heavy schedule.

Yep.

12 weeks to square away what nobody ever finished. Yeah.

12 weeks to make a man out of Junior.

Coffee? Nah.

Those clowns are supposed to be a chow.

What idiot's pounding on my palace door?

Sir, Private Owens, sir!

Well, you better hit that pine, boy.

I think I told you about this one. This Owens keeps following up all the time.

He wants out so bad, he don't know what to do.

Get in here!

That's the fourth position of attention.

Sir, the fourth position of attention is, sir, hips level and drawn back

slightly, body erect and resting equally on hips, chest lifted and arched,

shoulders square and falling equally, sir. Well, get with the program, idiot.

If your brains were made of dynamite, you couldn't blow your nose.

Yes, sir. Well, how do you report to me?

Sir, private Owens requests permission to speak to the drill instructor, sir.

Sir, private Owens requests permission to go to sickbay, sir.

Sickbay? Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Well, now, does little boy want to tell daddy all about it?

What's the matter with our little boy this time?

One morning he has a tummy ache. Next morning he has an earache. One day he's

just tired. Next day he's lazy, doesn't want to work.

Poor little boy.

I have a headache, sir.

What's the first word out of that cute little mouth?

Sir. Then say it.

Sir, I have a headache, sir.

You've had one headache this week, Owens?

Yes, sir. This is Platoon 194, Owens. You're not allowed to have headaches.

Only your DI has headaches, and I got 72 of them. Yes, sir.

Now, you just think you want to go to sickbay, don't you?

You don't really want to go, do you?

Yes, sir.

You've already been to sickbay twice this week, Owens, and what did the

doctor tell you?

Talk to me, what'd he tell you?

Sir, he... Said you were okay, didn't he? Said there was nothing wrong with

you, didn't he?

Yes, sir.

Then you don't want to go back over there if there's nothing wrong with you,

do you?

Sir, I have a headache, sir. I request permission to go to sickbay, sir.

Sergeant O'Neill, this here is Private Owens.

He's a real case.

Well, aren't you going to say hello to Sergeant O'Neill?

Owens?

Hi, Private Owens.

Hello, Sergeant O'Neill, sir.

What was that you just said, Owens?

Hello, Sergeant O'Neil, sir. Sir?

Don't you know you're not supposed to talk to a drill instructor unless you

have a military reason?

Yes, sir. Then why did you say hello to Sergeant O'Neil?

Answer me, Owens. Are you trying to make me look bad in front of Sergeant O'Neil?

No, sir.

Then why did you say hello?

Sir, you said... I didn't say do it, Owens. I asked you weren't you going to.

You know you're not supposed to talk to a drill instructor, don't you?

Don't you know it?

Yes, sir.

Well, half your brain is working, ain't it?

Right shoulder.

Left shoulder.

Forward.

Up out.

Forward.

Right shoulder.

Left shoulder.

Forward.

Up out.

Breathe in.

Why don't you do it like that on the drill field, Owen?

Why don't you do it like that when we drill, huh?

Why you always gotta foul up every chance you get?

You want out of the Marine Corps, don't you?

Don't you?

Yes, sir.

You make me wanna vomit.

Get out of my sight.

Sir, Private Owens requests permission to go to sickbay, sir.

Sick call goes at 0800. Now, what about that? You think you can wait till 0800?

Yes, sir.

Get out of here!

Aye, aye, sir.

There's a man hidden somewhere under that baby powder.

What's the matter?

Oh, that boy's been pushing me too much lately. He's just been pushing me too

much. Gives you a lot of trouble, huh? Any way you spell it.

If I could only get him to pull with the rest of the people.

Sometimes that Owens does everything right, letter perfect.

A man could watch Owens and think to himself, well, here's a model recruit.

And then all of a sudden, he don't know his left from his right. He don't know

nothing about nothing. Everything he does is so fouled up, I just don't feel

like doing anything but going off in a corner someplace and hiding my face.

Why don't you survey him?

Get rid of him?

Yeah, why not? If he's causing so much trouble... You're not too bright, are

you, O'Neal?

Well, you said he was... I said he was what? You don't have to blow off steam

with me. Moore, all I meant was... When I get a punk, I get rid of him.

When I get a guy like this Owens, I cultivate him.

What's your name, idiot?

Private Madison, sir.

Moore, your D.I.? Sergeant Moore is my drill instructor, sir.

Sergeant Moore, good D.I.? Sergeant Moore is my drill instructor, sir.

That's not what I asked, you idiot. I said Sergeant Moore, good D.I. Sergeant

Moore is my drill instructor, sir.

What's your ninth general order?

Sir, my ninth general order is to call the Corporal Guard in any case not

covered by instructions.

Checking on me, O'Neal?

Well, now, as long as you're checking, let's do a good job.

Spit out those general orders, clown!

Sound off! Sir!

My first general order is to take charge of this post and all government property

in view.

Sir, my second general order is to walk my post in a military manner, keeping

always on the alert, observing everything that takes place within sight

or hearing. Sir, my third general order is to report all violations of orders I

am instructed to enforce.

Sir, my fourth general order is to repeat all calls from the post more

distant than the guardhouse on my own. Sir, my fifth general order is to quit

my post to all my property relieved.

Sir, my sixth general order is to receive, obey, and pass on to the

century who leaves me all orders.

Private Owens went to sickbay again, did he?

I'd like to begin just one day without having to read about Private Owens' ill

health, especially when he's just as well as you are.

Now, you are well, aren't you, Moore?

Aren't you talking to me anymore?

Yes, sir. And talk to me about Private Owens. Owens is hard to figure, Captain.

Hard to figure? Yes, sir. He just... That's what you told me the last time.

And the time before.

Now, you know if he misses three days' training, we can drop him, don't you?

Now, why don't you just admit you can't do anything with him? He'll work out,

sir. Work out?

If you keep softballing him along, he'll never be able to... I'm not softballing

him, sir.

Is that right?

Some men just need a little more time than others. He's had enough time. And

he needs more, sir. If we keep him around here much longer, and you don't

get him any more squared away than you have, you know where I'll wind up, don't

you?

All it takes is one idiot to goof up the platoon at final field.

And if one platoon goofs, the entire company's had it.

Yes, sir, but he seems... They'll have him strapped in a plush chair topside.

Then they'll lay on me for running a kindergarten under false pretenses.

Now, you'd better do something with this, Owens, and do it quick.

Because if they run me through that pencil gallery because of your

inefficiency, I'm telling you right now, I'll have your hide on a high rack.

Inefficiency?

That's what I said.

I turn out platoons as good as any D.I. on this sandbar, sir. Man for man, I'll

stake my herd against any of them.

Well, that's a mighty pretty speech not to mean anything.

Now, what about Owens?

What about your precious private Owens?

Now, maybe we can get a small child in Beaufort to match him up with.

A very small child.

Give me one more week with Owens, sir, and I'll... I'll give you a hell and

call it a week.

You got three days.

And if it can't be done in three days, what?

Then I'll personally cut the lace off his panties and ship him out.

That's all.

You see him?

He's just as dead as we are.

For the sting of one lousy blood-sucking flea, you just killed this whole

platoon. We're dead, Owens.

All dead.

All right, move him out!

Not you.

Without you, I'd have an A-number-one perfect platoon. You know that, don't

you, Owens?

I'm right here, Owens. Look at me when I talk to you.

Look at me!

Now, you listen to me, youngster.

Someday you're gonna wake up fighting on a beachhead. You pray to God some guy

doesn't get killed because of your foolishness.

You join the Marine Corps, Owens. We don't deal in pity and sympathy.

You learn to think in terms of the group. You learn to remember.

You learn to think of your responsibilities, and you learn to carry

out orders.

Try. We don't try in this Marine Corps. We either do or we don't. We don't

straddle any fences. You understand that?

Yes, sir.

Well, I got a headline for you, boy.

Every time you make one of these little mistakes of yours, you're gonna turn

around, and I'll be standing right there.

You coming, Moore?

Yeah, yeah, I'm coming.

What's eating you anyhow?

Don't tell me you're still worried about that private Owens.

So that's it.

Mister, you're gonna get old before your time.

Come on, forget about him for a while.

Good evening, gentlemen.

How many in your party?

Honey, we ain't even a party yet.

Hey, Moore.

We hear you're having a little flake-out trouble over your way.

That's what you heard, huh? I could loan you one of my JDIs, and he can handle

your problem if you like.

I don't like.

I don't run my platoon like you do.

Of course, I haven't been around like you.

My, my, just look at all that fruit salad.

Everything but the congressional.

There's one missing, ain't there?

The one for the boot that couldn't make it because his DI just don't pack the

gear.

Get out of my way.

Yes, sir, Sergeant Moore. Sir?

All right, get off my ear, Joey. Hey, you guys, let's drink to Sergeant Moore.

She's the mother of a baby boy.

You think I could win a popularity contest?

Ah, forget that jerk.

Give me something you don't pay taxes on.

Uh-uh. No service during Bert's act. It's in her contract.

Hi, Marines.

If you don't see what you want, just whistle.

real tight better give me a thrill cause if

you don't somebody else will better

kiss me just right better give me my fill

cause if you don't somebody else will

Just right.

with this tomato juice do you mind oh i don't mind okay then drop off take

a good healthy swig of that walk about 10 paces and you think somebody's

pulling your socks right up over your head how old is it old it's not finished

making yet it's gonna be the best stuff we've run off all year how you doing

sonny what do you mean gonna be drink it and you won't ask drink it and you won't

be able

That stuff will eat the fillings right out of your teeth. Who needs them?

Here, delight.

Come here, baby.

Don't pretend you don't see me.

Honey, not in front of the world. The world knows.

Then there's no need advertising, is there?

She's a real grouch.

I'm not a grouch, honey. You know you're the end of the line for me.

Uh-huh, that's what worries me.

Now, honey, don't you fret.

Hi, Ann. Remember I was telling you you were the only one around here takes

tomato juice?

Meet another one.

Well, now, isn't this cozy?

Why don't you two room together next semester?

Baby, why don't you shut up? Come on, let's get some air. You are just a nasty

man. Don't catch cold. She's pretty thin. Never happened.

Trouble with you is you got no respect for white collar workers.

Yeah, you're a dead ringer for Kitty Foyle. I'm an entertainer. You can say

that again.

I'm a good entertainer. I wouldn't know.

You'll never know.

Promise?

He thinks he's mighty clever.

He's a good guy.

Listen, one thing I can't stand is an old party pooper. They just get under my

skin.

Quite a girl.

Yeah. You shouldn't talk to her like that. She's probably very sad.

Yeah, well, you don't look overjoyed about anything yourself.

You hang around here much?

I don't hang around anywhere, Sergeant.

Just wondered. I haven't seen you here before.

I'm here once in a while.

Alone?

Very much alone.

Well, don't get hysterical.

You asked me a question, Sergeant. I gave you an answer.

Now, if Parris Island makes you irritable, then I strongly advise you to

ship out.

Hello, Joey.

Why so glum?

Hi, Ann. Sit down.

Well, Mother Moore again.

You didn't have to walk away from me like that. I didn't mean anything.

Ann, do you know, Sergeant Moore, you heard of the famous Moore's Tigers?

Well, this is Mama Moore.

Just what kind of a dame do you think you are?

Sergeant Moore's been having flea trouble, Ann. He just can't seem to keep

those fleas alive.

Move out, Moore.

Ann don't want to listen to you cry.

Now, look, you've been on once tonight, Junior. You keep your mouth dry.

Now, look, I just wanted to try to... You ought

to have better manners.

Now, you go ahead. You tell her why you think you hate me.

Go ahead, tell her.

Joey's got his own platoon now. He just made sergeant, only he grew too fast.

Now, the next time you jump me, Joey, you have the decency to make it look

like something.

He's a damn good DI.

One of the best down here.

Guess I'm jealous.

What's his first name Jim?

Do you really hate him?

No, but the way he's going now, he's gonna drive himself right out of the

court And it's too bad because the core is all he has

the sand fleas get in your noses and your ears and crawl on your necks, you

clowns think you have the right to kill them.

I don't care how much they bite.

You will pretend that you do not feel it.

Do you hear me?

Yes, sir.

You can slap a sand flea in the jungle and if the enemy sees you move or hears

you slap, you'll be dead before you get your hand down.

You can knock a bug off your shoulder and be dead before that bug hits the

deck.

All your enemy needs is for you to slap once at a sand flea. Do you hear me?

Yes, sir!

After I gave you orders not to, you slapped a sand flea, didn't you?

Yes, sir. You killed that sand flea, didn't you?

Yes, sir. You murdered it, didn't you?

Yes, sir. You murdered that poor little old sand flea after I told you to let it

eat all it wanted to, didn't you?

Yes, sir. And if we'd been in combat yesterday, you'd have given away the

whole platoon. We'd all be dead just because of you, wouldn't we?

Yes, sir.

I'm sorry. Sorry?

A dead Marine is never sorry, Owens. A dead Marine is just dead.

You people have been training all day, and you think you are tired.

Just because you've been to the rifle range, that don't make you veterans.

Just because you've been on a run all day, you think you're due for R&R.

What do you think we're running here, an old lady's home?

You'd like a break, wouldn't you?

No, sir!

You'd like to flake out, lean back, and talk about your love life, wouldn't you?

No, sir!

Well, I'm gonna put it down, and you better pick up on it, because I'm only

gonna say it once.

Private Owens disobeyed orders yesterday and killed a sand flea.

After chow this evening, this whole platoon will fall out for a burial

detail.

You will fall out with full field packs, blankets, rifles,

belts, bayonets, and canteens.

You will find that sand flea that Private Owens murdered.

You will find that exact same sand flea, and you will

I wonder what the living conditions will be like when we get there. Where?

China. Oh, charming, charming.

I didn't say talk, I said dig.

Sir, how deep do you want this hole, sir? How deep can you dig it? That deep,

sir? That deep. Now dig.

Tell me something, Casto. Did your mother ever have any children that

lived? Yes, sir.

If you had another brain, you'd be dangerous. Why'd you join the Marine

Corps? I couldn't get in the Navy, sir.

He thinks he's funny.

No, sir.

I don't think we heard him right, Sergeant Braver. What was that you just

said, you miserable clown?

I said no, sir. Sir?

Back up.

I said I couldn't get in the Navy, sir.

I tried to join the submarine service, sir.

And they wouldn't have me because my lungs were too big. And I would have

used up too much air, sir.

I tried four times, and they turned me down every time, sir.

And just how did you happen to come to our little party?

They told me at the Marine Corps lungs wouldn't make very much difference, sir.

All I would need would be my, well... Your what?

Gut, sir.

And you are happy with us. Oh, immeasurably, sir. Very happy, sir.

Immeasurably? Where you from, boy?

West Virginia, sir.

West Virginia. Ridge runner, huh? Where'd you go to school? You didn't

learn to talk like that in those hills.

Yale, sir.

Yale, huh? Well, I thought all you Yale people went to the Pentagon.

And you are happy with us, are you? Yes, sir!

Well, we're very happy with you, aren't we, Sergeant Braver? Oh, yes, yes.

What is this, Castle? Sir, United States Rifle Caliber 30M1, sir. What is the

weight of this piece? 9.5 pounds, sir. Could you be wrong? No, sir!

Why couldn't you be wrong? I'm never wrong, sir. Never?

Sir, sometimes I'm not exactly right, but I'm never wrong, sir. Well, I'll

tell you what, clown. When you feel you're exactly right about the weight of

this weapon, you sound off.

Now, you carry it at high port. Give me a couple laps around the barracks.

Stationery, double time!

Hoo!

Come on, get those knees up! Get them up! Get them up! Get them up!

Move out! On the double! On the double!

Owen!

Yes, sir? How much smarts you got? Sir? College. You went to college, didn't

you? Yes, sir. Good. You can take his place in that hole. Move!

Aye, aye, sir.

Not just any old flea, but the flea.

I'm sure glad my mama can't see me now, Rodrigo.

I'd break her heart to find out she'd raised a fool.

Here, Billy.

What? Look over here.

What do you want? Gaze upon my manly face and tell me what is there.

It's a flea.

You think it'll work?

This shall stake my life out. Not even Moore can identify a flea.

I don't know, Rodriguez.

Seems to me, though, the flea at least ought to be cold.

Who is to say that a flea's hot or cold?

Maybe, maybe if we dropped him in a canteen and kind of swooshed him around

a little bit.

I tell you, more cannot possibly tell for how long the flea has not been

living.

Go ahead.

Let him have it.

I said kill him, not me.

I found the flea, sir! Sir, I found the flea, sir! I found the flea, sir! I

found the flea, sir!

I found the flea, sir!

I found the flea, sir!

Owens!

Yes, sir?

Was that flea you killed a male or a female?

Sir, it was a male flea, sir.

This ain't the one.

Keep looking.

I'll tell you, man, I just don't get it.

I've studied on it, and it just don't make no sense at all.

Now, you take these hound D.I.s.

It just ain't no question but what Moore is crazy.

Well, if they was to put his picture on them poachers, they wouldn't be nobody

in this Marine Corps.

He's crazy, I tell you.

Told us we had to stay off the grass.

God's country.

That's what Moore calls it.

Now, you know, if he won't let a man walk on plain, ordinary grass, he must

be Chris.

And you take that JDI, Braver.

No question about it.

Moore just ain't gonna be happy till he drives him crazy, too.

I wonder if the government knows they got two crazy people down here.

Yeah, but just the same, if I ever have to go into combat, I sure want to go in

hanging on his coattails.

This place puts me down.

No bread, no juice.

What a drag.

I must have had rocks in my head.

You giggle like a woman, my friend, but you look like a horse.

You are the ugliest human being I have ever seen.

Well, I ain't feeling sorry for myself.

Who is feeling sorry?

All around, I see this sign that say, cheer up, things could be worse.

And you know they're right.

I cheered up, and sure enough, things got worse.

Hey, Owens.

You slap another one of them sand fleas, boy, and me and you's going round and

round. I'm gonna jump right to the straddle of your neck, and we're gonna

have it. Leave Mr. Owens alone.

He doesn't feel well.

Well, now, that just purely breaks my heart.

All of you get lost.

Owens, you're gonna mess around and mess around. I'm gonna surely plant you.

Well, you better be quick about it, hillbilly, because I'm not gonna be

around here much longer.

Oh, yeah? Is that right? You going over the hill, Owens? We sure hope.

Don't forget the right, will you, Owens?

Airmail.

You really gonna make a break for it, Owens?

And what if I do?

Owens, you put me in mind of a hound dog I had one time.

Every time that little old dog would take a breath, he'd want outside.

Every time I'd let him out, he'd trot about ten feet from the door and sniff

once or twice and want right back in.

Do you see what I'm driving at, Owens?

That little old dog never once did what he started out to do.

Stand by!

Did I

hear

somebody laugh?

to horse around!

When you get a break, you study your guidebook!

How about it, hillbilly, what did I tell you about laughing?

Sir, only nine-year-old girls laugh, sir. Was that you?

No, sir. I ain't never laughed in my whole life, sir.

Didn't I tell you people you had your last laugh the first time you laid eyes

on me?

Yes, sir!

When are you supposed to be covered, stupid?

When I'm under arms, sir. Are you wearing a cartridge belt?

No, sir. Well, you act like an idiot. You might as well look like one.

Too many good men have already worn that uniform, and your people will wear it

right. And you will not laugh.

You'll giggle at your enemy, and he'll zero one in right between your horns. Do

you hear me?

Yes, sir!

We're United States Marines, and we're proud of it. We're in a class all by

ourselves. It's the toughest outfit in the world.

Nobody quits here.

This is Platoon 194, and we're the best.

Do you hear me?

Yes, sir!

Owen's squad leader.

Here, sir. Private Owen's keeping his rifle clean. Sir, I don't know, sir. Why

don't you know?

Someday your life may depend on Owen's having a clean rifle.

Get your piece, Owens. Who?

I have told you people time and time again, you're... Your rifle is your best

friend! You let it down and it'll sure let you down!

Well, is it clean, idiot?

I don't know, sir.

Well, find out!

Move!

Inspection, come!

It's as filthy as a dirt road, sir.

Well, what do you say we run a while?

Would you like that?

Yes, sir!

I have told you people.

Every time we find a dirty rifle, we run.

Right face!

Run! On the double! On the double! Move out! Move out! Move! Move! Move!

Run! Run! Run!

I saw a man stop running one time.

It took a psych party to find his dog tag!

Never thought I'd see you in here again. Never thought I'd be in here again. Let

me put it another way. I hoped I'd never see you in here again.

Make it a short pour. You ain't gonna be here that long.

You wouldn't deny me a cup of coffee, would you, Moore?

Not after I come such a long way just to do you a favor.

You wanna do me a real favor? You go take a long walk on a short pier.

What is this? The brand called X?

You're drinking it, ain't you?

You know, Moore, it's a good thing your tigers don't know how tender-hearted you

really are.

Ann was asking about you.

Well, pardon me while I jump up and click my heels.

I used to think she was intelligent.

Couldn't be.

Couldn't be intelligent.

She whistled up my sleeve to do some undercover work.

Find out when you're gonna make another run to the Cotton Club.

So that's what I'm doing.

What do I tell her? So you tell her nothing. I'm not interested.

You're kidding.

Okay, joy boy, so I'm kidding. Now, why don't you drag out of here?

Did you ever take a good look at yourself, Moore? A real good look?

What else do you love? I mean, besides the core.

What else?

This one's for Tom Chase.

And just who is Tom Chase?

A friend.

You ever have one? Now, does that make you happy?

Never had a friend and not interested in Ann.

Just what are you looking for?

The perfect woman, Joey boy.

What's your idea of the perfect woman?

A good-looking blonde swinger who runs a liquor store.

If it leaves your mind, Danny, Ann's not one of those dames who gets her kicks

from hanging around a slop shoe.

A friend of hers used to hang around there a lot.

And she's a sentimental girl.

His name was Joe.

Same as mine.

And they're still picking up his pieces on Bougainville.

Like I say, she's sentimental, she's level, and that's why I think she's

nuts. She told me to give you this.

Here.

What did you tell her?

I told her I didn't think you could read.

Let me look at that little old blue one, honey.

Oh, surely.

Sorry.

Well, I don't know.

I don't know whether I like it or not.

Excuse me.

I'm glad you came. I wondered whether you would or not.

Look, couldn't we... Couldn't we what?

Well, you know, get out of here for a little while. I'm working, remember?

Yeah, I know, but couldn't you get somebody to take over for you? Honey,

honey, this just doesn't do a thing for me.

You wait a moment.

Why don't you look through these?

Maybe you'll find something you like better.

All right, honey.

I'm back. Tell that broad over there to stop staring at me. Oh, there's no one

staring at you.

My goodness.

You must have a guilt complex or something.

All right, come on, let's go. I can't leave. I can't just walk out.

Honestly, you just got here.

Why are you so nervous? I'm not nervous. Yes, you are.

You expect me to just stand around in here and talk to you?

Yes, of course.

In here?

Yes.

Hello, Anne. Hello.

Excuse me.

I'd like to see something in a beaded sweater, if you have one. Oh, we have

lots of them. What color? Oh, I don't care. Just so it has lots and lots of

beads on it. And you have no particular color in mind?

No. How about a blue one to match the color of my eyes? Good idea.

What are you doing in here?

aren't you?

Now this one is very nice.

Mama, there's a soldier in here. Look.

He isn't a soldier, dear. Now don't you bother him. What is it if he ain't a

soldier? You just stand right here, darling, and stop being difficult.

No, Ann, that just won't do. I'll check and see what we have in stock.

All right.

I gotta get out of here. You're going already?

Are you kidding?

Then I don't suppose I'll see you again.

Not until tonight.

Where? Slop shoot.

Where? Cotton club.

Oh.

Yes, sir.

Sergeant Moore.

Isn't he the cutest thing?

The deadliest weapon in the world is a United States Marine and his M1.

Now if your rifle quits in combat, you gotta tear it down quick and find out

why. The faster you can tear a piece down and get it back together again, the

longer you are going to stay on that hit parade.

Now, if you think this is not important, you better think again.

As long as you're in the Marine Corps, you can believe this.

We are the first ones in.

And being the first ones in, we gotta be the best.

If we ain't the best, we'll sure be the deadest.

Now, I'm gonna walk from one end of this squad bay to the other.

When I get there, every piece will be broken down.

Do you hear me?

Yes, sir!

Then I'm coming back to this end.

Every man will hold up a part of his rifle and he will name it.

And the same part will not be named twice.

Hit it!

You want that thumb, boy?

Keep it out of there.

Don't make love to it. That's not a toy. That's a killer.

Don't beat it, boy.

Those rifles cost your government $80 apiece.

Maybe in the Russian Navy they got rifles with two trigger housings, two

bullet guides and two follower arms, but in this Marine Corps, we only got one of

everything. What do you think you'd get, boy, if you walked up to the armory and

asked for a rifle with two trigger housings?

I don't know, sir. No, and nobody else does either.

Up on that table!

Move!

Now, for the next ten minutes, you can give these other idiots a lecture on the

movable parts of the M1 rifle.

Son of!

The M1 rifle is divided into three main groups.

The trigger housing group, the stock group... I can't hear you!

The M1 rifle is divided into three main groups!

the trigger housing group, the stock group, and the barrel and receiver

group. It is a clip-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, semi-automatic shoulder

weapon. It has four forward movements and ten rearward movements.

Some of the characteristics of the M1 rifle are weight, 9.5 pounds,

muzzle velocity, 2,600 to 2,800 feet.

Hey, Owens.

Owens.

Yeah?

Did you mean it, Owens?

Did you mean what you said?

What's the difference?

Go to sleep.

I want to know.

I've got a right to know.

What right?

You ain't going with me.

Now lie back on that rack and be quiet.

I wouldn't do it, Owens. You know what'll happen if you get caught.

Don't you suppose I've thought about that?

Anything's better than this.

Hey, Owens.

When are you gonna try it?

When everybody gets to sleep.

Including you.

I don't know, Owens.

Over the hill.

I don't know.

When did this happen?

Bird, when did the lightning strike?

It wasn't lightning, honey.

A dozen MPs, about 10,000 deputy sheriffs, and a tent preacher.

Well, my, my, look at what's back.

The cats are busy tonight.

You need a drink.

Honey, I need a lot of things.

Where do you go from here?

Oh, I heard about a place over in Georgia. They need a good entertainer.

And I'm a good entertainer.

She's something, isn't she?

Quite a package.

She isn't bad.

Kind of different, but not bad.

You never enjoy yourself, do you?

Well, I haven't noticed you doing any backflips.

Why don't we form a suicide pact?

You can go first.

Couldn't do that.

Make my idiots too happy.

Would it really?

Joey told me you were almost famous for turning out the best platoons on the

island.

Did he say that?

That isn't all he said.

Yeah, I'll bet on that.

He said, quote,

Moore is the most devoted man I ever knew.

When I have to go into combat... I can't think of anybody I'd rather be with.

Unquote.

Take a walk?

Sure.

You know, I'm glad we're here tonight.

I felt bad about being so jumpy with you last time.

When you left, I started to follow.

I wanted to apologize.

You're awfully strict, aren't you?

Oh, I don't know.

What makes you say that?

I just think you are.

And if I am, is that bad?

No, I didn't mean that.

You know, one night a friend of mine did the same thing you're doing.

He said that a circle in the water is like a man's life.

The circle gets bigger and bigger, and then it isn't there anymore.

It grows and grows, and then it's gone.

Where's your friend now?

Dead.

Luganville? How did you know?

What was he like, your friend?

Like you.

The Marine Corps was his whole life.

There was no room left for anything or anybody.

A woman could hold him for a little while.

She'd have to keep telling herself, this isn't for keeps.

Strange how some women love a man so much more when they know he isn't a sure

thing.

You know how they feel if they've just had him for a little while?

They've had him forever.

Yes, you're a whole lot like he was, and you'll probably end up the same way.

Maybe somebody will cry for you like I cried for him. All right, stow it, will

you?

I just think it would be a terrible thing to die and not have one single

person in the whole world to care.

Who's gonna cry for you?

Will you knock it off? Just knock it off. Who's going to tell you if I don't?

All right, Ann, you've made your point.

You just don't care, do you?

Who's it going to be tomorrow night?

Sergeant Moore and his one-night stands.

Go ahead.

Sure, go ahead.

Then you can answer something for me.

Is being like you what it takes to be a good Marine? The Corps?

Is that all you're supposed to love, the Corps?

You show me where it says that in the guidebook.

You better go find yourself a man with a tuxedo.

No, thanks.

I'll just settle for a man.

We've got a bug out.

Owens. Can't be more than five minutes gone. You stay put. I'll dig him out.

Going over the hill, Owens?

You know, if you make it across there, you'll be the first.

If you get to clear water, you'll be all right.

If you're a good swimmer, a real good swimmer.

But if it sucks you under, your bones won't even wash up.

Looks real easy from here, doesn't it?

Owens, the Corps is kind of like a club.

And Parris Island is like an initiation.

Oh, sure, it's a rough initiation, the roughest.

But we think ours is the best club on Earth.

And we're selective.

You couldn't have gotten in if we didn't want you.

I don't know why you joined the Marine Corps, Owens, if going over the hill

like this is what it's going to come to.

I'd kind of like to see you change your mind.

Why? So you can ride me some more?

Ride you?

Owens, Owens. It's always Owens.

I've given you more time and attention than any other clown on my platoon.

Do you think I've made it rough for you because I don't like you?

Now, you listen to me, Owens. You can't make it across that swamp.

If you want to kill yourself, that's your business. But you kill yourself on

your own time, not mine.

Now, as long as you're in the Marine Corps and breathing, you'll take orders.

And your orders are to sleep after light's out.

Now you go sleep.

Thanks a lot, Owens. Thanks very much.

One thing you got to say, this is unique.

Five field days in three and a half hours.

Maybe we'll set some kind of a record.

Our most gracious D.I. is permitting us to wash Private Owens' dirty thought out

of our minds.

I've got to go along, Owens. Five times is too much.

Push the racks back, take the matches outside, wash down the deck. This place

is clean. We're going to wash it away.

Owens, you're in sorry shape.

You can't even run away without falling off.

Don't worry.

They're going to give him a free ticket out of here.

Stand by!

Carry on!

Aye, sir!

Owens!

Sir, Private Owens reporting as ordered, sir. We got a date in the captain's

office. Turn to!

I wish I could say it's been nice knowing you, Owens.

30 days on that brig and you'll go able sugar.

I gave you three days, didn't I?

Yes, sir.

And you've done your best to straighten him out? Yes, sir.

And why isn't he straightened out?

I think he'll come through, sir.

Well, how about that?

You think he'll come through.

I think you're babying him. I don't baby anybody, sir.

I'm tired, Moore.

I'm tired of hearing about private Owens.

Now, get him in here.

Sir, Private Owens reporting as ordered, sir.

Idiot. You're about as handy as a trapdoor in a canoe. Now, you get those

thumbs back and straight along the seams of those trousers. What are you trying

to do, make me look bad in front of the captain? You know how to report. Now,

you do it right. Do it.

Where is your stick, Private Owens?

Now, where is your stick, Private Owens?

What?

What stick, sir?

The stick you stirred that mess up with.

Now, haven't you any clean utilities?

Well, I... I... Will you answer yes, sir, or no, sir?

Yes, sir.

Private Owens, I'm going to remind you again, and for the last time.

There's one little detail you seem to take pleasure in overlooking.

You're not a civilian anymore.

You're in the Marine Corps.

The United States Marines.

No, you're not a Marine by any stretch of the imagination.

But you're on the Corps.

You're on Parris Island. You're a boot.

And as long as you are, you'll conduct yourself to our liking, not yours.

Your life belongs to the Marine Corps now, not you.

Do you understand?

Yes, sir.

Then if you understand that so well...

Why haven't you been conducting yourself accordingly for the last several weeks?

I... I don't know, sir.

You don't?

Well, I think I do.

You believe the more times you foul up, the closer you get to a discharge.

Private Owens, I've been looking through your SRB.

Hoping I'd find out something about you.

And I struck pay dirt.

You graduated from high school. Is that right?

Yes, sir.

You entered college to study medicine.

Is that right?

Yes, sir.

You broke out the same year.

Decided you didn't want to study medicine.

Is that right?

Yes, sir.

You entered another college to study law.

Is that right?

Yes, sir.

And walked out on that, too.

I won't even ask you about this when you only spent three weeks at it.

But this record must be wrong, Owens.

Not only does it say that you graduated from high school, but that you graduated

with honors.

Now, is that right or has an error been made?

It's right, sir.

Well, now, if that's right...

And your mental tests are right.

It looks as if you've been playing a funny little joke.

Were you trying to give us the impression you were psycho?

No, sir.

Well, tell me, Owens.

Just what is it with you?

I'm... I'm mixed up, sir.

Mixed up?

Mixed up.

Do you think that's something original with you?

Do you think you're a privileged character just because you're a little

mixed up?

Goines, nobody stuck a pistol in your back and made you join the Marine Corps.

You joined because you wanted to.

You've always done what you wanted to.

Your school records prove that much.

If you went somewhere and decided you didn't like it, you left.

And when you bust out of school, you're just a quitter.

That's in school.

Down here, we figure things a little differently.

When a man acts the way you've acted, we begin to wonder if he's yellow.

Are you yellow, Owens?

I don't know, sir.

What do you mean, you don't know?

If a man's yellow, he knows he's yellow.

I don't know.

No, I'm not yellow.

What about combat, Owens?

Would you be afraid of combat?

I don't think I'd want to die.

I don't think anybody wants to die.

Owens, you ever hear of Okinawa?

Yes, sir.

Peleliu,

Iwo Jima, Bougainville?

Yes, sir.

Do you think those men wanted to die?

I don't know.

My brothers didn't.

Your brothers?

Yes, sir.

Have you got brothers in the Marine Corps?

I did, sir. Two.

They were... Killed?

The Chosen Reservoir.

They... Your brothers would really be proud of you, Owens.

They really would.

Sir, you don't understand.

You think I don't, or do you hope I don't?

Sir, please let me explain.

I... Sergeant Moore, get it out of here. Makes me sick to look at it.

All right, clown, haul out of here!

What... What country is this?

What country?

Tell me, what country?

Leave him alone, Sergeant.

He came in here without help, he'll go out without help.

when you've never had to be.

He hasn't got it, Moore.

I'm recommending him for discharge.

This time you don't have to ask for three more days.

That's how long it'll take to process his papers.

I'd still like to keep him, sir.

All right, Moore, adopt him.

There's no place for him in the Corps.

Wash, wash, wash.

Seems like to me we've washed everything on Parris Island.

I'm not sure, but it seems like the washed stuff don't even belong to us.

These past two days have been miserable.

Measurable. What's Moore trying to prove anyway?

We do a week's work in one day. I think you're right, Rodriguez.

Maybe there's some new speed-up in the training program.

We've only got three weeks to go.

Maybe Moore is trying to finish us up in a hurry.

Finish us, you mean?

What's the matter, little man? Don't you want to grow up to be big and strong?

I'll fix it. You broke my arm!

I'm sorry.

Well, watch where you're going.

I said I was sorry. I didn't mean it. I think you did mean it.

Well, now, Rodriguez, Miss Owens don't feel well today.

She's tired and overworked and underloved.

He didn't mean to turn your bucket over. Nobody asked you anything.

Baby.

Now this log weighs 450 pounds. I want to see every man lifting his share.

I don't want to see the end man doing all the work and you people in the

middle resting.

All right, lift it. Up, up, up.

Boy, you aren't lifting. You're hanging onto it. Lift it up! Up! Up!

Lift it up!

Up! Up!

Up! Up!

Up!

Well, now.

Why couldn't you silly people do it like this the first time?

It couldn't be some mines in here.

Yeah, I know.

This one's mine.

Owens!

Hillbilly!

On guard!

Move them out!

Haven't I told you to lash that mask up tight, boy? A strong wind would blow it

off, and that's what the gas comes on, a strong wind. You hear me?

If you're gonna wear it that loose, you might as well not wear it.

Orange papers came through.

I'll execute them, then you get them to Orange for his signature.

When he puts his mind to it, he's the best I've got.

When he thinks about it, you mean.

Yes, sir.

Suppose he goes to a landing someday and doesn't feel like thinking about it.

Is she there now? Yes, sir.

Are you sure about this name?

Yes, sir.

You'd better come along, Moore.

This might interest you.

I'm so glad you could meet me, Captain.

Yes, ma'am.

Now, this is Sergeant Moore, one of our drill instructors.

So you're Sergeant Moore?

Yes, ma'am.

I've heard a great deal about you.

My son has a great deal of respect for you, Sergeant.

I beg your pardon?

I don't mean to be rude, Mrs. Owens.

But this is a restricted area.

Women are not allowed here.

I understand, Captain.

You do?

Well, I'm afraid I don't.

Well, Captain, I called your commanding general.

You called the commanding general?

And why shouldn't I?

We're old friends.

Old friends.

I'm afraid I don't quite understand.

I suppose you are due some sort of an explanation, Captain.

My husband was a company commander in your commanding general's battalion in

the South Pacific.

They were very good friends.

Your husband, a Marine?

Captain.

Captain Charles D. Owens.

I believe he would have gone a long way in the Marine Corps.

He loved it so.

He was killed in Kwajalein during the invasion of the Marshall Islands.

It was your commanding general who wrote me about it.

and came to see me several times after the war.

So you see, Captain Anderson, when a woman has lost her husband and two of

her sons, when a woman is as much a part of the Marine Corps as I am, then her

right to visit a Marine base is hardly questioned.

I see.

I hoped you would.

We Marines understand each other, don't we, Captain?

Not always, I'm afraid.

You have a son in my company.

He is the reason for your being here.

Am I right?

Yes. My son.

My third son.

How is he, Captain?

I can't help but believe that you know as well as I do.

Yes.

His letters do paint a rather dark picture.

And he wants out.

Yes.

He does want out.

If your visit had been yesterday or the day before, you'd have gotten an

argument.

But I won't argue with you today.

It seems to have reached that stage.

No, I won't argue. You can have him back.

I have the papers on my desk.

I'm recommending your son for discharge.

You'll do no such thing.

I beg your pardon? You'll not discharge him.

But isn't that why you're here?

I mean, I thought that... I don't care what you thought.

When you saw me, Captain, you said to yourself, here is a mother who wants her

little boy back.

No, Captain, no.

My son is going to stay here and see this through.

My husband did, my first two sons did, my third son will be no different.

Captain Anderson, surely you know if he doesn't see this through, he'll never be

any good.

Surely you must know what his record is.

He must.

I... I've made many mistakes.

Too many.

It was all I had left.

I pampered him.

Without realizing it, I made a mama's boy out of him.

Mrs. Owens, I... I'm not the kind of a mother who all of her life thinks of her

sons as my little boys.

My sons are men.

All my sons are men.

What do you suggest I do?

And his present state of mind? Well, he's... Psychologically unfit?

It may appear to be so, Captain.

But I don't believe it.

Sergeant, I'll tell you what my husband would tell you if you were here now.

You rough him up some more.

You give it to him. He can take it. He's my son.

How much longer does he have?

Well, his platoon finishes within a month.

I'll expect him home then within a month.

A Marine.

My husband had a breaking point, Captain.

Whenever he was hard-pressed, something would... build up inside of him and...

and he would grin.

Everything would be all right after that.

I... I don't suppose my son has grinned.

I always used to count on it and look for it in my husband and...

I haven't seen Private Owens grin.

Not here.

Well, Owens, I didn't mean to bang the door, sir.

Then why did you do it?

You always do things you don't mean to do.

Sergeant Moore, sir, he said on the double and I... But he didn't tell you

to bang my door, did he?

No, sir.

Did you bang my door just to irritate me?

No, sir.

Now, you were supposed to knock, weren't you?

Yes, sir.

Then get outside and knock.

Aye, aye, sir.

I still can't hear you.

Come in here!

Sir, Private Owens reporting as ordered, sir.

You know what this is, Private Owens?

No, sir.

This is a general discharge.

Your discharge.

It's all filled out.

The only thing stopping it from going through is my signature.

You want me to sign it?

Sir, I... If I sign this, Owens, it'll be the end of this island for you.

No more training, no more Sergeant Moore.

You'll be a playboy again.

You want that very badly, don't you?

Yes, all I have to do is sign it.

Now, you're such a baby, you'll probably break down and cry if I don't sign it.

Do I sign it, yes or no?

Yes, sir. You're wrong, Owens. I don't sign it.

Not for you, never for you.

It's your country, Owens. That's what country it is.

That's all.

I said that's all.

I've been hearing things about you.

Don't kill any more sand fleas.

Yes, sir.

Idiot!

What are you grinning about, clown? Did you get out?

No, sir.

I want to thank you for not saying anything about my trying to go over the

hill, sir. Who do you think you're talking to?

I just want to thank you. You do not talk to a drill instructor like that, do

you hear me?

Yes, sir. You keep on grinning at me like that and I'm liable to think you

think I'm funny looking. And if I think you think I'm funny looking, you better

stand by, do you hear me?

Yes, sir.

Go.

Aye, aye, sir.

Will there be anything... else?

Yeah. I'd like to buy you 11 more.

All real.

Are you sure you like this one?

We have a much wider selection in the back room.

This'll do.

Ann, I'd just like to square away one thing.

About the other night.

The way it was.

You don't have to say anything.

No. No, I want to.

I want you to know how I feel.

I don't have to say anything else.

You've said it all.

Your eyes, Sergeant Moore.

Your eyes.

You know, you're absolutely right.

There's nothing like this in the guidebook.

Guide on!

Front and center!

Private

Owens,

front and center!

Give Lane your piece.

You think you're strong enough to

carry this?

Yes, sir.

So do I.

Before we go on this little 20-mile walk, I just want to know one thing.

Do you people love me?

Yes, sir!

Well, I don't love you.

Sling! Are you people mean?

Yes, sir!

Are you some kind of bad?

Yes, sir!

All right, tigers, give me a growl.

Squad's right!

Column right!