Son, we live in a world that has walls and
those walls need to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna
do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility
than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and curse
the Marines; you have that luxury. You have the luxury of
not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic,
probably saved lives and that my existence, while grotesque
and incomprehensible to you, saves lives.
You don't want the truth because deep down in places you
don't talk about at parties you want me on that wall, you
need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty.
We use then as the backbone of a life trying to defend something.
You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the
inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps
under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions
the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just
said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest
that you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I
don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.
-----
Lt. Daniel Kaffee:
Did you order the code red?
Col. Nathan R. Jessep:
I did the job I had to do.
Lt. Daniel Kaffee:
Did you order the code red?!
Col. Nathan R. Jessep:
You're God damn right I did!
CAST
Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom
Cruise)
Col. Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson)
