Original subtitles

[woman, children laughing]

[girl] Open it.

-Open it. -Ah, okay.

Oh, a box!

[laughing]

[girl] It's a Cobra, like you fly.

Do you like it?

You know I do.

-Oh, honey, it's beautiful... Thank you. -[child] You're welcome.

[woman] Thank you, Lisa, for your help.

[kissing] It was good help.

Max?

-Mommy! -Mommy!

Mommy!

It's the Lieutenant's birthday.

Max, you have really done it.

[Narrator] Following in his father's footsteps

as a naval aviator,

Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr.

Suffered a crash while landing his tomcat

on a storm-tossed carrier at sea.

Diagnosed with night blindness,

Harm transferred to the Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps

which investigates, defends and prosecutes the law of the sea.

There, with fellow jag lawyer Major Sarah MacKenzie,

he now fights in and out of the courtroom

with the same daring and tenacity

that made him a top gun in the air.

[Chegwidden] First Lieutenant Sandra Gilbert is suspected

of committing adultery with an enlisted man.

Her squadron C.O., a Lieutenant Colonel, um...

Turner... wants to charge her with conduct unbecoming.

Now, last night general McCartney calls me at home

and says he'd like to recommend

that our investigation of her alleged misconduct

be handled quietly and quickly,

that he will not tolerate the kind of fiasco

the Air Force had with Kelly Flynn.

Did the General also indicate the desired outcome, sir?

You know, Commander, I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that,

otherwise I'd have to put you on administrative leave,

while I drew up papers to have you transferred to Adak, Alaska.

I'm sorry, Admiral, I didn't mean to imply

that a senior officer was trying to bring undue influence

on a court proceeding.

Or that he asked us to avoid

a high-profile court-martial.

You're both on thin ice!

Lieutenant Gilbert's stationed at Camp Pendleton, California.

She's assigned to H.M.L.A. 488...

A Marine light attack helicopter squadron.

Lieutenant Gilbert's a Cobra pilot?

That is correct.

First in her class in advanced helicopter training.

I didn't know you were familiar with the case.

Well, I'm not, sir, but her picture

was on the cover of the Navy Times.

Oh, the poster girl for women in combat.

The evidence needs to be reviewed

and, if called for, charges drafted, Commander.

Have you decided who'll be handling the case, sir?

Do you have any thoughts on the subject, Major?

Well, I don't mean to overstep any boundaries, sir,

but Commander Rabb is in court on the Grekly matter,

and if you haven't already made a decision on counsel,

I'd like to volunteer for the case.

Now, there's a surprise.

Because I'm the best person for the job.

Yeah, your main qualification is you're a woman.

That's oneof them.

I'm sure you figure Lieutenant Gilbert needs

a friend in court.

[mockingly] No, Harmon.

I figure Lieutenant Gilbert deserves a full and fair hearing

just like everyone else, no matter how the chips fall.

No special pleading because she's a woman in love.

No playing the gender card.

People don't like you when you get like this.

I'm just trying to prepare you

for what lies ahead, Mac.

Good morning, Sir, Ma'am.

-Lieutenant Roberts. -Bud.

You just don't get it.

Sorry I'm late, ma'am.

Why can't you understand

that every time a woman screws up

and gets special treatment

it ruins it for people like me?

Killer traffic... I don't know about the woman thing.

Not now, Bud!

Because I earned my way here.

All I asked for was an equal chance, a level playing field.

I made it on the merits.

Now, Bud.

Sorry to interrupt, ma'am.

[sighs] I'm used to it.

There was this traffic accident on the Beltway...

We're leaving for Camp Pendleton at 1300.

That leaves you two hours and seven minutes to pack.

[man] I don't need to remind you this is a competitive exercise.

The field judge grades you on technique

in approach-and-shoot.

You'll be flying nap-of-the-earth.

I want you ten feet off the deck at all times.

Your target is an M-60 tank.

There's an avenger battery guarding the tank.

It takes him ten seconds to fire.

That gives you eight seconds to get off your shot.

Whoever hits first wins.

Be advised: Smokey Sams will be fired

across your nose during this exercise.

Good hunting.

Good luck, Lieutenant.

Give 'em hell.

Just like always.

Any lower, you'll get grass stains on the skids.

[laughing quietly]

Okay, I'm ready to pop.

-Ready. -We're on the go.

I have a visual.

I'm locking on!

Getting ready to shoot.

Bogey, eleven o'clock.

Attempting to lock on.

Wizard, I think they're looking at us.

Fire!

Weapon away!

They're locked on.

Nine seconds... eight...

I have lock-on, range 1,500 yards.

Four seconds to intercept.

Launching Smoky Sam.

Missile launch.

Four... three... two... one...

-Gets 'em! -Yeah. We're out of here!

Four seconds to impact... three... two...

Damn! Lost contact.

Nice shooting, Mustang...

That's a keeper.

Thank you, sir, I'll take it.

You did good, Mustang!

[laughing] Yeah, not bad for a girl!

-[knocking] -Enter.

Major MacKenzie, Lieutenant Roberts

to see you, sir.

Thank you, Gunner.

You're one of ours.

Yes, sir.

At ease.

Let me be blunt.

When Admiral Chegwidden informed me

you'd be assigned to this matter

I asked him to reconsider.

May I ask why, sir?

I was afraid your personal feelings would affect

your ability to prosecute Lieutenant Gilbert.

Sir, I haven't yet formed an opinion about Lieutenant Gilbert

and it is not customary for me

to let my feelings get in the way of my job.

Admiral Chegwidden led me to believe as much.

Sir?

He said you were cold-blooded.

I need to see the witness statement

and the N.C.I.S. report.

[sighs]

-Ma'am. -Thank you, Lieutenant.

The charge sheet on top.

The Admiral sent us here

to investigate the evidence

and help draft charges if necessary.

I've decided to refer these charges

to a court-martial, Major.

I was signing the order when you came in.

Sir?

I considered giving

Lieutenant Gilbert a lecture or fine

and transferring her to Diego Garcia.

I rejected that out of hand.

There are other options, sir: counseling...

This is a disciplinary matter, Major.

Lieutenant Gilbert disobeyed a direct order

to end an affair with an enlisted man

in her chain of command.

That's prejudicial to good order and discipline.

That's not a matter for counseling.

So you wanted to make an example of Lieutenant Gilbert?

Draw a line in the sand?

This has nothing to do with what I want.

I'm doing what is required of me.

You have a problem with that?

I don't have an informed opinion, Colonel.

That's a lawyer's answer.

That's what I am, sir.

We're going to get along fine, Major.

I'm flattered by your confidence, sir.

We expect our officers to set the standard of morality.

We have to be true to our oath.

That means obeying orders...

Even ones that break your heart.

[MacKenzie] Lieutenant Gilbert!

I'm Major Sarah MacKenzie, Judge Advocate General Corps.

This is Lieutenant Roberts.

Good morning, Ma'am, Lieutenant.

It's my duty to inform you

that you're charged with the following violations

of the uniform code of military justice:

Article 90, willfully disobeying

a lawful command of a superior commissioned officer;

Article 133, Conduct Unbecoming an Officer

Article 134, Actions Prejudicial to Good Order and Discipline.

Time will be set for a court-martial

and counsel will be provided to you.

Yes, ma'am.

This isn't a good time, Gunnery Sergeant.

You want to tell me what's going on, sir?

I don't think that'd be productive.

Don't make it worse, Gunny.

You didn't even hear what I had to say before slamming me.

-I read the N.C.I.S. report. -Is that enough for you, Major?

Were you willing to condemn me without a fair hearing

or didn't you want to hear what I had to say?

You'll get a full and fair hearing in court, Lieutenant.

That's a little late.

Who will be defending me?

Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb.

He just won a tough case and he's en route from Washington.

If there's nothing else, Major, I have a mission to fly.

Lieutenant!

I'm grounded?

Colonel Turner made that decision.

We're in the middle of quals, ma'am.

I won't get another shot for a year.

I'm afraid there's nothing I can do, Lieutenant.

-[knocking] -[Turner] Enter.

Sir, Lieutenant Commander Rabb.

-Colonel. -Commander.

-Fast work. -Excuse me, sir?

I assume you're here to tell me that you and Major MacKenzie

have reached a pretrial agreement.

No, sir. I've yet to sit down with Lieutenant Gilbert

and see how she would like to proceed, Colonel.

This is strictly a courtesy call.

She doesn't have a lot of options, Commander.

No, sir, now that you've filed charges.

She's one of your best Cobra pilots.

-That's correct. -Spotless record.

She had the potential to be a fine officer, Commander

but she screwed it up with her conduct.

That's a little premature, Colonel.

That's not in doubt... and that's too damn bad.

-[door opens] -Excuse me, Colonel...

Thought you might want to see this, sir.

[man on TV] With all due respect, I don't see where this is relevant.

[woman] I have full confidence, General McCartney,

that you don't have a clue.

[man] The case of Lieutenant Gilbert has nothing to do

with this discussion of budget and appropriations.

[woman] Well, I'll make the connection for you.

You need M1A2 tanks.

I need answers.

I'm fully confident all the facts will come out

at the court-martial.

Lieutenant Gilbert has a high profile.

I want to make sure that isn't why she's a target.

A target for whom, Congresswoman Latham?

Are you commencing a witch-hunt, General?

Is your chain of command

exclusively populated by peeping toms

who pry into the lives of its troops?

An AH-1 Whiskey Super Cobra helicopter carries a payload

of hellfire and sidewinder missiles.

The 20-millimeter turreted cannon can fire

750 rounds per minute.

How can you trust a pilot with that kind of firepower

if you can't trust her to obey a simple order to stay away from an enlisted man?

That's the military reality.

Well, I'm impressed

by the firepower of your cannon, General.

But this is a whole new ball game.

Women are here to stay and they deserve equal treatment.

I intend to see to that.

So do I, Congresswoman, so do I.

[Rabb] Describe your relationship with Gunnery Sergeant Frankl.

He's my flight line chief,

the man responsible for keeping me alive and flying.

I trust him with my life.

He's never given me any reason

to doubt his judgment or his skills.

-He's a married man. -Yes.

Two children.

Yes... Sarabeth, eight

and Lisa, four.

How much time did you spend

with Gunnery Sergeant Frankl?

I saw him in the course of my duties.

And outside of work?

Sometimes the air crews went out for a beer, a bunch of us.

We talked shop.

What else?

I was counseling Gunnery Sergeant Frankl

on his marital problems.

[Frankl] I didn't know where else to turn.

There are counselors on base, Gunnery Sergeant.

With all due respect, ma'am,

the counselors are supposed to be a private thing

but once a guy spills his guts to them

seems like everybody knows his problems.

It could scuttle a career.

So you turned to Lieutenant Gilbert

for a shoulder to cry on?

No, ma'am.

I respect her opinion.

I wanted her advice and counsel.

[Harm] Did you ever meet with Gunnery Sergeant Frankl

-behind closed doors? -No.

Why not?

Because...

I don't have a door to close.

My office is a cubicle, so... there's no privacy.

I didn't want to talk about personal matters there.

I was afraid it would hurt his career.

So where did you counsel him?

One time we went out for a drink;

another we took a walk;

once in a Humvee

on the way back from a training exercise.

Look, ma'am, there was nothing going on between us.

-She just listened to our problems. -"Our" problems?

My wife's and mine.

-Was your wife present? -No.

Did she know about the counseling?

No, ma'am... I didn't think

she'd like me talking to the Lieutenant.

Because the Lieutenant was a woman?

No.

My wife is old-fashioned.

She thinks that our problems are just that...

Ourproblems, and that we should be able

to work them out ourselves.

I was helping Gunnery Sergeant Frankl make a decision

about what needed to be done.

About ending his marriage?

About patching things up

for the sake of his children.

He loves his kids.

They go everywhere with him.

You have a relationship with his children?

Yeah.

Sarabeth is the oldest.

She wants to be an astronaut.

She asks me everything... "What's Space Camp like?"

"How do you get into the academy?"

Talking with her is like talking to myself when I was her age.

Did Colonel turner ever order you not to see

Gunnery Sergeant Frankl outside of your regular duties?

He never came out and said it.

What did he say?

He said that it was important for me to maintain

a strictly professional relationship with my Marines

and he hoped that's what I was doing.

And did you do that?

I am responsible for the men and the women under my command.

I was doing what I thought best.

Maybe I could have done it better.

Nobody doesn't make mistakes.

Not a lot of room for failure in the service, Lieutenant.

You never made a mistake?

No.

Okay.

Plenty of times.

Yeah.

So how does it work for you, Commander

and not for me?

Are there really two standards?

[Harm] You do know this case should never have come to trial.

-Are you looking for a deal? -No.

Lieutenant Gilbert will plead guilty and take her chances,

I think I can win this thing on merits.

Good evening, gentlemen, ma'am.

Colonel Turner tasked me with informing you

that Congresswoman Bobbi Latham will arrive at 0800.

Commander, Ms. Latham has requested that you meet her

immediately upon her arrival.

Do you have a message for Colonel Turner, sir?

I don't suppose you could tell the Colonel

you looked for me everywhere and I was nowhere to be found?

No, sir.

I didn't think so, Gunner. Thanks.

Good luck, Commander.

You thought Congresswoman Delong was tough.

Bobbi Latham grew up

on the streets of Detroit.

Of course, that was before she graduated

first in her class at Yale Law.

You coming?

You're on your own, pal.

[sighs]

Congresswoman Latham, Commander Rabb!

We need to talk.

I'll make some time for you

this afternoon, ma'am...

or right now.

My colleague Congresswoman Delong

warned me about you.

I would have liked to have been there

for that, ma'am.

I don't think so.

She said that you were arrogant

pigheaded, uncooperative...

Sounds like her, ma'am.

She also said you were fair.

She failed to tell me that you were handsome.

I don't think that matters to her, ma'am.

Whatever the history is

between you and Congresswoman Delong

I'm here to make sure

that the Navy has the right person

defending Lieutenant Gilbert.

I'm sure you think

that my colleague, Major MacKenzie

is the right woman for the job.

That's precisely what I'm thinking.

Then you're dead wrong.

I believe Lieutenant Gilbert is innocent

and it's my duty

to represent her aggressively.

Nothing stands in the way of that.

Are you telling me not to get in your way?

-Yes, ma'am. -Good for you, Commander.

Lieutenant Gilbert needs a passionate advocate in court

and someone to make sure she's not tried and convicted

on the front pages of the New York Times

before opening statements.

And that would be you.

Damn straight.

[MacKenzie] You are an elementary school teacher.

[Mrs. Frank] Yes.

You're married

to Gunnery Sergeant Maxwell Frankl.

-Yes. -For how many years?

Ten this December 18.

Are you acquainted with Lieutenant Gilbert?

Yes, ma'am.

Max... Gunnery Sergeant Frankl

is her flight line chief.

Could you describe your observations of them together?

Objection, Your Honor.

Calls for speculation.

Overruled.

[MacKenzie] How would you characterize

the relationship, Mrs. Frankl?

Is it businesslike in nature

or friendlier than a business relationship?

They were close.

I know he sees her

and talks to her after hours.

Was Lieutenant Gilbert ever a guest in your home?

Yes... once.

-That you know of. -Objection.

Withdrawn.

Were you present?

Yes.

Part of the time, anyway.

-Did you invite her? -No.

Were you away at the time?

Yes, I was visiting my mother in Cleveland.

[MacKenzie] Did you return home unexpectedly?

Yes, I got an earlier flight.

What did you find when you returned home?

Lieutenant Gilbert

was sitting at my dining room table.

Were you aware that Lieutenant Gilbert

had been given orders not to see your husband

-outside of her regular duties? -Objection... hearsay.

Sustained.

Did your husband and Lieutenant Gilbert

ever take trips together out of town?

-Yes. -To your knowledge

did they ever stay at the same motel?

[voice breaking] Yes.

[MacKenzie] Did they stay in the same room?

Objection. Your Honor, asks for information

beyond witness's knowledge.

Overruled.

[voice breaks]

I have no way of knowing that.

Do you believe that it's important

for a wife to be able to trust

her husband when he's out of town?

Yes, of course I do.

A lot is asked of a Marine's wife...

and we ask a lot in return.

Thank you, Mrs. Frankl.

No further questions, Your Honor.

Mrs. Frankl, your husband,

Gunnery Sergeant Frankl,

and Lieutenant Gilbert

were separately registered

at the New Eden Motel in Yuma, Arizona, on February 16.

I don't know the date for sure.

Your Honor, there is a stipulation

entered into by the defense

and the government.

It was February 16... Rooms 206 and 213.

So stipulated.

Isn't it true they were on a training mission?

Yes.

Why didn't your husband stay at the B.E.Q.?

Objection. The witness isn't qualified to answer the question.

Sustained.

Mrs. Frankl, are you familiar with Yuma, Arizona?

Yes, my husband and I were stationed there.

Are temporary quarters available?

No.

So flight crews are housed at the New Eden motel.

Yes.

You testified

that you found Lieutenant Gilbert in your house

when you returned from Cleveland.

Were she and your husband alone?

No. Our children were there.

Had your husband invited

Lieutenant Gilbert to your house?

No... Sarabeth, our eight-year-old,

had called her and invited her over.

-Why? -It was

Lieutenant Gilbert's birthday

and my daughters had made a present for her.

Are your daughters close with Lieutenant Gilbert?

Yes.

Sarabeth worships her.

[Harm] In what way?

Lieutenant Gilbert is everything my daughter wants to be.

Thank you, Mrs. Frankl.

No further questions

Your Honor.

I like your style, Commander.

That was the easy stuff, ma'am.

Well, now I get to have some fun.

[reporters all talking]

Commander Rabb and I will be answering

your questions in a moment.

First I'd like to make a brief statement.

The old boys' network that has a bias

against women in combat is about to get

a wake-up call.

You throw an aviator with the skills of Lieutenant Gilbert

to the wolves, and it's going to bite you on the ass.

Once this court-martial is over

the house subcommittee will hold hearings.

I intend to get to the bottom of this.

I want to know why this happened.

[reporters shouting]

-[knock at door] -Enter.

Colonel Turner, Congresswoman Bobbi Latham is here to see you, sir.

Pleasure to meet you, ma'am.

Colonel, I'd like for you to arrange

a ride for me in a Cobra.

Be glad to accommodate you, Congresswoman Latham.

Name your time, and I'll arrange one for you.

I want Lieutenant Gilbert to take me for my ride.

This is the first I've heard of it, sir.

I've grounded Lieutenant Gilbert

pending the outcome of her court-martial.

Un-ground her.

I can't do that.

Is he telling the truth, Commander?

Ma'am, I really don't think this is a good idea.

Can he put Lieutenant Gilbert

back in the air?

There's not a lot of precedent

but technically...

Yes or no?

Yes... Colonel Turner

can return Lieutenant Gilbert to flight status.

I'll be ready in an hour.

-One more thing. -[Turner] Ma'am?

How was this allowed to happen?

That's the wrong question, ma'am.

And what's the right question, Colonel?

How do we stop this from happening again?

[Latham] You don't approve of this.

[Harm] No, ma'am.

Lieutenant Gilbert's one hell of a pilot.

If she screws up, my life is on the line.

It's a risk I'm willing to take.

-Lieutenant! -Ma'am.

Let's go flying.

Mind if I sit down, Harm?

Would it matter if I did?

Not a bit.

Call me Bobbi.

Can I get you something, ma'am?

Uh... cognac... make it a double, please.

General Eisenhower had an affair with his driver.

How is that relevant?

My client did not have an affair.

I know. If the Pentagon had cashiered

every officer during World War II who committed adultery

Hitler's children would be sitting in the White House

instead of Bill Clinton.

Ever been in love?

[gasps quietly]

What happened?

She was my best friend's wife.

So you never said a word.

He died two years ago.

So now what's keeping you from saying your piece?

Do you always ask this many questions?

I'm nosy by nature.

I find it hard to believe

that she would turn you down.

Women like you, Harm.

Mac likes you.

She'd like to wring my neck.

I get that feeling a couple of times a day, Commander

but it passes.

Sandra likes you.

That's because I'm all that stands between her

and half a year in the brig.

I don't dislike you as much as Adele said I would, Harm.

Your friend's wife...

She lost one husband and she doesn't want to lose another?

She wants a life of her own.

Fancy that.

It's a new world, Commander

or do you like the old world better?

Little woman keeping the home fires burning

and raises the children and waits like faithful Penelope

for Odysseus to return home from the wars.

You know, that was my mother's life.

She never complained, even when my father didn't come home.

I want Sandra Gilbert vindicated.

So do I... Bobbi.

[MacKenzie] Colonel Turner,

how did the adulterous relationship

between Gunnery Sergeant Frankl and Lieutenant Gilbert

come to your attention?

Objection...

Assumes facts not in evidence.

Sustained.

How did the the alleged relationship

between Gunnery Sergeant Frankl and Lieutenant Gilbert

come to your attention?

An anonymous call to the sexual harassment hot line.

The caller said they'd been seen together

in an inappropriate manner on several occasions

including an overnight stay

while they were T.A.D. in Yuma, Arizona.

What did you do next?

I ordered Lieutenant Gilbert to see Sergeant Frankl

onlyin the course of her regular duties.

And did she willfully violate that order?

Objection, Your Honor. Leading the witness.

Sustained.

And to your knowledge, did she obey that order?

No. She went to the Gunnery Sergeant's home

while his wife was away for the weekend.

Thank you, sir, that will be all.

Did you ask Lieutenant Gilbert

about the truth of the anonymous allegations?

No.

Why not, Colonel?

Even the appearance of impropriety

is a threat to good order and discipline in the ranks.

That a hot line call was made

indicated a perception of impropriety.

I felt that was enough for me to act.

Did you put your order in writing, sir?

-No. -May I ask why?

I did not feel that was necessary.

Do you recall the exact wording

of your order to Lieutenant Gilbert?

Yes. I told her to end her relationship

with Gunnery Sergeant Frankl

and see him only during working hours.

Those were your exact words?

As close as I can recall.

Is it possible, Colonel, that your wording was less precise;

that, for example, you told her

to maintain a strictly professional relationship

and hope she did so?

My words left no room for interpretation.

But you can't recall precisely what you said.

I didn't need to be explicit...

She knew what I meant, and she knew she should knock it off.

Uh, sir, ma'am, we have to talk.

I checked the Lieutenant's medical records.

I got this back from the lab.

I think you might be interested in this, Commander.

Lieutenant Gilbert is five weeks pregnant.

I didn't know that I was pregnant until yesterday.

Really?

Precisely when did you discover

you were having an affair with an enlisted man?

Damn you, Lieutenant.

How am I supposed to defend you

if you won't tell me the truth?

I never dreamed it would get this far, Commander.

It all happened so fast.

Sandra, if I am going to get you a deal

you have got to give me something.

You're only hurting yourself by holding back.

You werehaving an affair

-with Gunnery Sergeant Frankl. -Yes.

Colonel Turner ordered you not to spend time

in Gunnery Sergeant Frankl's company?

Well, I think that there are several ways

his words might be interpreted.

I'm the lawyer here, Lieutenant.

The answer to the question is, "Yes, Colonel Turner ordered me

"not to spend time in Gunnery Sergeant Frankl's Company.

"I willfully disobeyed the order

and I went to his house when his wife was not home."

Sarabeth and Lisa were with us. Where's the problem with that?

You graduated from the Academy, Lieutenant

you went through basic and advanced flight training

you got your picture on the cover of the Navy Times

and you don't know the answer to that question?

"An order is an order and is to be obeyed."

Okay, tell me again so I understand.

We're in the middle of a trial,

the evidence supports a conviction

and you want me to let her walk away?

The matter was unfairly sent to court-martial

from the beginning, Mac.

It deserved nonjudicial punishment at best.

My client was railroaded.

-That bridge is crossed, Harm. -All I'm asking for

is an administrative discharge in lieu of a court-martial.

-"For the convenience of the government," ma'am. -Thank you, Bud.

The government requires that the Armed Forces

maintain good order and discipline.

How is that accomplished if I let her off the hook?

Are you willing to let all this come out at trial?

What, that your client is a liar and an adulterer?

That my client is a victim of selective prosecution.

I checked the records, Mac.

There were four other male officers at Camp Pendleton

guilty of the same infraction as Lieutenant Gilbert.

None of those cases went to court-martial.

One officer was transferred to another command,

two received reprimands and the fourth left the service

with an honorabledischarge.

There's a different set of rules for Lieutenant Gilbert

because she's a woman.

How many of them were given a direct order to stop the affair?

None. That'smy point.

Come on, Mac, give her a break.

Harm, I may want to give her a break, but that is not my job.

"Lieutenant Gilbert deserves a full and fair hearing

"just like everyone else, no matter how the chips fall, no special pleading

and no playing the gender card."

You remember everything I say?

Only the good stuff.

Let's see what the judge has to say.

Mac...

You don't really believe Lieutenant Gilbert deserves

to spend time in the brig for this, do you?

That depends on whether you can prove

there was a selective prosecution.

Counselors, I have reached a decision.

Commander Rabb, your argument

that the new evidence

will impact the defense of your client is compelling.

I therefore, in the interest of justice

grant a recess until tomorrow morning.

Is that acceptable?

Yes, Your Honor.

[gavel strikes]

Commander Rabb. Ma'am.

The trial was going great... why the delay?

Some new information has come to light.

And you're not going to tell me?

That would be a violation of attorney-client privilege.

I was assured by General McCartney

that I would be denied nothing;

otherwise, there'd be hell to pay.

Are you threatening me, ma'am?

Is a pig's ass pork?

Am I catching you at a bad time?

I can't imagine a worse time, ma'am.

I was once engaged to a Marine captain for about a week.

That was a long time ago.

What happened?

I think I fell in love with the uniform instead of the man.

I should have married him.

He would have made a great wife.

He was a good cook, he can iron a mean shirt

and he made a bed so tight

you could bounce a quarter off of it...

among other things.

[chuckles quietly]

You want to tell me what's going on?

Sandra, I can't help you if you don't tell me the truth.

People keep telling me that, ma'am.

I keep getting deeper in trouble.

I'm not going to let you quit.

We can fight this... I can beat them.

I'm not going to have you railroaded out of the service.

There's one problem, ma'am.

I'm pregnant.

Have you told him?

Not yet.

It ended between us

before all of this happened.

He felt his first responsibility was to his family.

I knew it was wrong, ma'am, I was just so damn lonely.

Couldn't you have found a fellow officer?

Other officers didn't want

anything to do with me.

Max was different.

It felt so great to be in love.

I gave up a lot of normal stuff to get this far.

You put your heart on hold.

We all do.

It's the price we pay

to have success in a man's world.

I'd do it again.

That makes me a lousy Marine.

I love the corps, ma'am.

I did something stupid.

I betrayed the trust

the corps placed in me as an officer.

[sobbing]

And now it's cost me everything that I love.

Except your baby.

Harm!

I talked to Sandra.

You're interfering with my client.

I'm the best friend your client has.

Why can't you understand?

This is bigger than the courtroom.

The whole world is watching.

I don't care what the world thinks, Congresswoman.

Well, I do.

Bobbi, you have an agenda. I have a client.

All I care about is what's best for her.

But do you think all Congresswoman Delong and I

care about are getting the headlines,

about sticking it to the military,

about furthering the role of women in combat?

Yes. Then you're dead wrong.

I want everyoneto have the same chance.

Look, tell me what you came to tell me

but let me do my job.

I'd hate to think that Sandra's child

would be born behind bars.

I believe that can be avoided.

Or that charges will be brought

against Gunnery Sergeant Frankl.

Sandra believes she's done enough damage.

Gunnery Sergeant Frankl is guilty

of lying and fraternization.

Some kind of punishment cannot be avoided

but the fact that he ended the relationship

speaks well for him.

What else?

I want Sandra Gilbert to leave the service

with her head held high.

That's right, Commander... I'm backing down.

You find a way to resolve this, and you're a hero.

Gee, you don't ask much, do you?

I'm known for it.

[knocking]

Enter.

Evening, Colonel.

Commander.

-I think we can put this matter behind us, sir. -Good.

I've worked out the details with Major MacKenzie.

Lieutenant Gilbert agrees

to an administrative discharge

and she will not contest the charges brought against her.

Then it's over.

Not quite.

Lieutenant Gilbert will not have me

file a complaint against you for selective prosecution...

We both know she has no grounds to file such a complaint.

Maybe not, sir, but even the appearance of impropriety

is enough for some people these days.

Lieutenant Gilbert is not the victim of selective prosecution.

She also was not the first officer at Camp Pendleton

to be guilty of fraternization, Colonel.

There were four others, dating back to 1992.

Yes, sir, all of those involved men,

and none of those cases went to court-martial.

That was then, Commander.

The standard has not changed, Colonel.

The political climate has.

Is that why you brought charges against Lieutenant Gilbert... politics?

My actions regarding Lieutenant Gilbert

had nothing to do with her gender.

If those male officers had committed the same offense today

that they did several years ago, they'd be prosecuted likewise.

Lieutenant Gilbert was one of the best and brightest...

and she screwed it up.

All she had to do was stop seeing the guy

but once she disobeyed orders

she was finished.

And I did what I had to do.

It's a damn shame.

Colonel, Lieutenant Gilbert has one exercise left

to complete her quals.

You're not suggesting I put her back in the air.

You've already done that, Colonel.

It's going to take me two or three days

to process her paperwork. Let her complete her quals.

Give me a good reason why I would do that.

Because it's the right thing to do.

Guns are loaded and double-checked.

I'm hoping I won't need them.

You need them, they'll fire.

Give 'em hell.

Just like always.

It's okay, Max.

Say good-bye to the girls for me.

Tell them I will think of them every day.

I'm sorry for what happened.

It's nobody's fault, Max.

I did the math, Mustang... we score 90 and no one can beat us.

Under that, we're toast.

Let's hit the damn thing on the first pass then.

Okay, Mustang, commence the exercise.

You are free to start.

The clock will begin ticking

as soon as you pop over the ridge.

This is a tough exercise, ma'am.

She gets two rockets to shoot at a moving target.

What happens if she misses?

She goes to her guns.

Air speed cannot drop below 80 knots

she gets a single pass

the quicker the kill, the higher the score.

[man] Counting down from 100.

[Wizard] I have a visual.

[Wizard yells]

[Wizard] Way to go, Mustang!

[hollow tone] Yeah... not bad for a girl.

That's a kill, Colonel.

Nine seconds... that's a 91 out of 100.

That puts her in first place.

She made it, ma'am.

[both laugh]

Nice shooting, Lieutenant.

Thank you, sir...

for everything.