Original subtitles

[motor scooter passing]

I think I know this woman.

Lieutenant Donato? Major Winters,

-Air Force Security Police. -You know me, sir?

I checked you in the day you arrived from Masirah.

Oh, right. Nice shirt, sir.

Thank you. May I join you?

You hungry, sir? I can order for two.

You're not ordering, Lieutenant.

You're going to quietly follow me to your car

get in the back seat, and allow me to drive you back

to the base where you can change into appropriate attire.

This is appropriate in Brooklyn, sir.

We could send you back there.

Be smart about this, Lieutenant.

There's a Muslim cleric watching your every move.

That's because he can see me, sir.

I'm ordering you to do as instructed,

Lieutenant, or face punitive action.

Your answer?

How are the salads here, sir?

[opening theme music playing]

[knocking]

Come in, Congresswoman.

How did you know it w...?

"Congresswoman Latham, a long-time advocate

of women's rights in the armed forces

believes that Navy Lieutenant

Stephanie Donato's defiance of female dress codes

driving regulations and mandatory male accompaniment

illustrates the need to establish increased

constitutional protection

for female members of the military."

Have you gotten to the part where I talk about banging down

the doors of people in the position

to effect a change?

Well, not in time to reinforce my hinges.

[chuckles] I'm not here to lobby you, Admiral.

Simply on a fact-finding mission.

Okay. Here are the facts: Commander Rabb and Colonel MacKenzie

are defending the lieutenant.

Now we're on the same page.

Their initial assessment?

Not in yet.

And when they know something?

I'll give you a call.

Thank you.

And remind you that this office serves

a judicial, not a legislative, function.

[knocking]

Enter.

Excuse me, sir, I'm sorry.

Commander.

Congresswoman.

Well, I was just leaving.

Thank you very much for your time, Admiral.

You mind walking me out?

Not at all.

-If I remember, you're a former submariner. -That is correct.

Well, then that explains why you haven't surfaced till now.

[chuckles]

I-- I've been busy.

Well, when you feel you have some time

why don't you come over and see me?

I'll show you around.

Well, one just doesn't drop by the Capitol

these days, Congresswoman.

I'm friendly with the doorman.

[Rabb] Why did you ignore the regulations, Lieutenant?

Because they're ridiculous, sir.

Was it worth the trouble you're in?

Think about it, sir. I'm on trial for eating lunch.

You can't remove the argument

from the context, Lieutenant. This is Saudi Arabia.

But, ma'am, I'm a citizen of the United States.

Under orders prescribed by the DOD, Lieutenant.

"While traveling off base unless serving an active military function

female personnel must wear an abaya

or Muslim robe and head scarf.

They must be accompanied by a male at all times.

They may not drive.

They must ride in the rear seat of the vehicle."

Congratulations, Lieutenant. You went four-for-four, not even a sacrifice fly.

Five-for-five, sir.

The base commander requires us

to wear veils as well.

You think that this is funny, Lieutenant?

No, sir.

I'm just trying to make clear what it's like for us out here.

The restrictions aren't even confined

to off base, sir.

We have to keep our sleeves rolled down

so we won't offend any Saudi males

who might be around.

It just got to be too much.

Frustration is a lousy reason for disobeying standing orders, Lieutenant.

History informs me it's one of the best ones, ma'am.

Look, I understand that absolute constitutional rights

do not apply in the armed forces

but these circumstances are just so intolerable...

Lieutenant, we're not here to debate policy.

You're facing an Article 32 hearing.

We should be spending this time

coming up with a game plan.

Now, why don't you give us something

we can work with?

Sir, I realize I flouted regulations

and disobeyed a service officer, but these rules aren't fair

and that's what you have to argue.

In my opinion.

[Rabb] You know, these policies have been in place

since 1995, Lieutenant.

If you didn't feel you could tolerate them

why didn't you protest your assignment

to the Air Force in the first place?

You could have stayed on with the Navy in Masirah.

Ma'am, the Air Force base commander told me

the policy was under review.

[man] That was my impression at the time.

[Rabb] What changed, General?

The world. As a result of September 11

we've been in negotiations with the Saudis

about expanding our use of their bases.

American women in uniform is a sensitive issue.

Couldn't you appreciate the lieutenant's distress, sir,

when she discovered that nothing was going to change?

I assumed that she would exhibit

the flexibility I've come to expect

from my own officers, Commander.

Sir, Lieutenant Donato claims she also protested

through other channels. Is that correct?

She wrote eight letters to her congressman, Colonel.

Openly petitioned the Secretary of Defense.

For all I know, she tried to get an audience with the pope.

Did she ever request a transfer back to the naval base, sir?

No, Commander.

But it makes me wonder if flying or griping

is her first priority.

Lieutenant. Your squadron commander told me I could find you out here.

-Commander. -Can we talk?

I'm going up, sir.

Relief drop to Afghanistan.

I'm afraid it's going to have to wait.

Unless you're interested in giving those wings a morning stretch.

Find me some flight gear.

Yes, sir.

[Rabb] You ever think about flying something smaller, Lieutenant?

And trade my condor for a wasp?

No, thank you, sir.

Tell me something. If you're so constrained by the policies in this region

why are you still here?

[man] I've been asking the lieutenant the same question for months.

I mean, I'm of Lebanese descent

and Idon't even like it here.

So, what's your answer, Lieutenant?

One moment, sir.

Clambake, this is Streetcar 3-5, inbound.

Thirty seconds to drop. Over.

[man over radio] Streetcar 3-5, this is Clambake.

D.Z. Green, wind calm, clear to drop.

Roger that, 2-5-3.

Speed, 160 knots.

Holding at altitude steady.

Release point in ten seconds.

Ready. Ready...

-[beep] -Green light.

We just dropped two tons of food packets, blankets, and medicine.

That'swhy I stay, sir.

-Enjoy your flight? -Yeah, the lieutenant is quite a pilot.

Lieutenant, uh, Stephanie Donato

this is Lieutenant Colonel Sara Coffey

base staff Judge Advocate.

Ma'am.

[Sara] Been familiarizing myself with your file, Lieutenant.

You have two allies here.

You should be very grateful.

Thanks to some back-channel negotiating

we've come up with a proposal.

Yes, ma'am?

All charges will be dropped

if you agree to stop pushing the dress-code issue.

Understood, ma'am.

[Sara] No letters no petitions, no complaints.

Agreed, ma'am.

There's a Saudi Muslim cleric

who saw you drive yourself to the cafe.

And he wants her to apologize?

General Sawyer believes it'll put the matter to rest.

What would I say, ma'am?

"In regard to the incident of last week...

[Donato] ...I would like to tender

my deepest and most sincere apology.

My actions showed a disrespect

for the cultural customs

and religious tenets of your faith

and my behavior was unacceptable for an officer

in the United States Navy.

I in no way meant to cause any pain

or discomfort for you

or the people of Saudi Arabia.

And if I have done so...

I am truly sorry.

Your apology is accepted.

And may I say, it is refreshing to see

a young American woman showing proper deference

and speaking with a mature mind

instead of an unrestrained tongue.

Excuse me, sir, but are you saying that American women are not mature?

By ourstandards.

[scoffing] 12th-century ones.

Pardon me?

Lieutenant...

I would like to know what the young lady said.

I am implied that these standards are old, sir.

Ancient, like your Bible.

My Bible doesn't tell me to oppress women, sir.

What may seem to you as oppression

is regarded in this country as exalted respect.

[Donato] So, if I were to prevent you

from participating in your world

you would feel respected?

Let's call it a cultural gulf

and put it aside, shall we?

Call it what it is, sir.

All right.

I'll call it impertinence.

A woman who has been given the privilege of controlling men

should at leastbe capable of controlling her tongue.

And a man who doesn't treat women

any better than the camels

in his garage doesn't deserve to be in their company.

That's enough, Lieutenant.

Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.

[door closes]

See you in court, Lieutenant.

Sir, ma'am, I apologize. I don't even know is he hasa garage.

[Donato] Does anyone plan to say anything, other than me?

I'll start. What were you thinking?

My father calls it the bigger-trigger, sir.

I can't back down in front of somebody

-who thinks they're bigger than me. -Oh, good.

We'll present that as our defense.

I hear your frustration, ma'am, but my career is not worth

rolling over for that sanctimonious polyp.

I can't blame you if you want to walk away.

Look, nobody is walking away, Lieutenant.

Our job is to defend you

and that is what we're going to do.

You have a strategy, sir?

Well, I'm considering duct tape.

Maybe we should take advantage of my big mouth

and put me up on the stand, sir.

Lieutenant, why don't you go back to duty.

We'll, uh, we'll come up with something.

That'll be all.

Aye, aye, sir.

You're giving her false hope, Harm.

I support her on the issues, Mac.

The lieutenant has no sense of propriety, Harm.

She's the worst possible spokesperson for the issues.

And even if I agreed with you I wouldn't know where to start.

I mean, how would you get past the orders violation?

Well, we have to prove that the orders are unlawful

by holding them up to the light of the Constitution.

You expecting the Chief Justice to be in attendance?

I agree with you, Mac.

We can't win this case on the facts.

We have to put the policies on trial.

This is an aviator thing, isn't it?

Pilot bonding? She's a misguided firebrand

until you go up with her and then when you come down, you're on her side.

Oh, no, no, no, no. This is about your tendency to overcompensate

when faced with a female client.

Here is a woman who broke the rules

for perfectly valid reasons

but you insist on holding her legal fee to the fire.

Because she didn't protest lawfully.

Neither did the suffragettes, Mac.

They went to jail, Harm.

Hope you don't plan on basing our defense on their example.

[Turner] Move this paragraph to begin

the second subheading, and that should be it.

-[Sims] Yes, sir. -You two still here?

Uh, we'll be leaving shortly, sir.

-Plans for the weekend? -[Sims] Yes, sir.

Bud and I are going out this Saturday

for the first time in months.

We have a baby-sitter

dinner reservations and everything.

And you, Commander?

Looking forward to kicking back, sir.

Mm... alone?

That was the plan, sir.

Walk me out.

Yes, sir.

Have a good weekend, sir.

Lieutenant.

Called Congresswoman Latham yet?

Sir?

Just curious.

Well, I've considered it, sir

but to be honest with you

the idea of dating a politician...

Afraid she wants your vote?

No, sir, but, uh...

Look, this is probably none of my business, but...

you spend a lot of time here.

Might not be a bad thing to go out and have some fun.

Just a suggestion.

Do you generally take this kind of interest

in the personal lives of your staff, sir?

At my peril.

Well, I'll consider it.

Thank you, Admiral.

Good night, Commander.

Captain Tobak, you were assigned to the same squadron as Lieutenant Donato?

Yes, ma'am. We've flown missions together.

How do you feel about DOD policy regarding off-base behavior for women?

The regs are inconvenient, ma'am, but I follow them.

-Why? -Standing orders.

-Is that the only reason? -No, ma'am.

I'm a guest here. I don't feel I have the right to impose

my country's tastes on the people of the host nation.

So, you don't consider not being able to drive

or having to wear an abaya to be a violation of your rights?

It doesn't bother me, ma'am.

In fact, without an abaya, I'd stand out in a crowd

get looks from people on the street.

Thank you, Captain.

Captain, are you Christian?

-Yes, ma'am, Catholic. -Like Lieutenant Donato?

That's right, ma'am.

The wearing of an abaya by women

is a tenet of the Islamic faith, is it not?

-It is, ma'am. -Are we to believe that you don't consider

having to wear one

an infringement of your First Amendment right

to practice religion freely

without the imposition of another faith?

The way I look at it, ma'am, it's like when my husband and I go to my friend's house

for Passover, and he puts on a yarmulke.

[MacKenzie] Does your friend make your husband wear the yarmulke?

[woman] No.

She does make us eat

that fish stuff with the horseradish, though.

But the point is that your husband chooses to wear it, correct?

Yes, ma'am. But I think he'd be okay with it

even it if it was a requirement.

It's not like we're going to stop believing

in the Holy Trinity by the end of the seder.

General Sawyer, what is the purpose

of current regulations regarding female personnel?

They're designed to avoid cultural conflict.

We also want to protect our women

from harassment by the mutawa, the religious police,

and attacks from terrorist cells.

Sir, has Lieutenant Donato expressed

her displeasure with these regulations?

Yes.

What were her exact words, General?

That they were ludicrous and fraught with hypocrisy.

So, when Lieutenant Donato, alone, and in civilian dress

drove herself to a cafe, sir, do you believe that she was acting

in defiance of set policies?

Calls for speculation, Your Honor.

Sustained.

[Sara] No further questions.

General, when the Air Force speaks of cultural sensitivity, sir

aren't we pandering to the Saudis?

-You Honor... -I'll rephrase, You Honor.

Sir, is it not true that this policy has

a political component?

Politics are inextricably linked

to military objectives these days, Commander.

We need to keep the Saudis on our side.

Even if that means, sir, degrading our woman

by subjecting them to policies that back home

would be deemed unconstitutional?

We aren't back home.

No, sir, but we are defending our constitution

as well as our country, are we not?

[Sawyer] At the moment, Commander

we're defending our citizens.

Including those under my command.

Safety is the primary rationale.

General, there is an editorial

by former Secretary of Defense Daniels

in which he states, "The policy serves

no legitimate military purpose or end."

Would you agree with that, sir?

By strict definition, yes.

Thank you, sir, that will be all.

But when Osama Bin Laden

summoned the fundamentalist Islamic world to join him,

he cited the presence of American military personnel

on sacred Saudi soil as cause for jihad.

Our intention is not to repress our women.

It's to repress the terrorist propaganda

that was created by their presence.

[sighs] The constitutional arguments aren't working.

Well, we've got to rethink.

You say it like we haven't done that already.

[phone rings]

Rabb.

Colonel Coffey...

Oh, is that right?

Where are you now?

Is that off base?

What's the address?

All right, well, we'll, uh, see you in an hour.

Okay.

Got to love this job.

Just when you're about to plummet to the earth

your opponent throws you a parachute.

What do you think the colonel will want?

To turn our client into a civilian.

That will save her from losing her benefits.

Probably our best option.

You really want to do that to her, Mac?

-She's doing it to herself, Harm. -Mac...

She came here to serve her country not express her opinions.

Mac...

It's not ours to choose

-which orders to obey. -Mac.

What?

I have to drive, we're going off base.

[sighs]

Do you see her?

You're kidding, right?

[Islamic prayer]

[grunts]

Commander. Colonel.

Colonel.

Sorry you had to come to me.

I'm involved in the current Status of Forces discussions

with the Saudis, but I wanted

to put this on the table

before the hearing resumes tomorrow.

What is your role in these discussions, may I ask?

I'm assisting the lead negotiator.

They let you talk?

Can we stay on point, please?

[sighs]

Your move.

One offer, nonnegotiable.

Well, so far, it doesn't sound

too attractive, Colonel.

It's generous under the circumstances.

Dismissal as adjudged, no forfeitures or confinement.

We'll plead to the charge

and we'll accept a non-punitive letter of reprimand.

You're negotiating, Commander.

Well, I guess I can't help myself.

Dismissal is the cornerstone of our position.

Lieutenant Donato is a disruptive presence.

She has to go.

We'll discuss it with our client.

No.

I'm sorry, no deal, Colonel.

We're recommending to the lieutenant

that the matter be decided in court.

[MacKenzie] Can we stop talking about this?

Yeah, as soon as you give me an answer I can accept.

I was beginning to lean towards your deal:

dismissal without punishment.

I mean, you're the one who was so convinced we couldn't defeat

-the prosecution's case in the first place. -I changed my mind.

-Without informing me. -I'm sorry.

It was an impulse. You heard it when I felt it.

-Felt what? -The sense of isolation you get...

when you wear one of these things!

You cease to exist.

I know you were there.

Yeah, but you didn't know what I was feeling.

Come on. You've worn one of these things before.

Hell, your grandmother's Iranian.

She probably never went anywhere without one.

She never wore a veil, Harm.

It changes everything.

You speak, but you're not heard.

Well, I heard Lieutenant Colonel Coffey.

Yeah, because she had information for us.

But if you weren't interested in what she had to say

she would have been less present than the plant next to her.

What does this all have to do with Lieutenant Donato's case?

Everything. The regulations force the lieutenant

to separate herself from men, which weakens her authority

diminishes her ability to be taken seriously.

That's her issue: the policy makes women ineffective.

All right, so how do we make this point?

We let the lieutenant make it herself.

No.

Just hear me out.

After you've had a cold shower.

This entire case is about free expression.

How do we stand for those principles

and deny our client the right to defend herself?

When you turn...

The only way we're going to sway the hearing officer

at this point, is to let the lieutenant

take the stand and tell her story.

Oh, you mean the one about how she violated orders.

Yes. She can argue her emotional reasons behind the decision.

If the lieutenant has anything going for her, Harm

it's the depth of her feelings.

[Latham] So, what made you decide on an Afghan restaurant?

[Turner] I like the food.

I thought it might be because we're allies now.

-No. -Good evening.

You know, we're having a hell of a time

with the transitional government in Kabul.

It's feudal and faction-rich.

I mean, I think we're not going to approach stability...

Boy, this is low.

Let me take your coat.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

Let me help you there.

I think I'm going to need it.

Okay.

Just... Why don't I... like that?

-All right. All right.

Whoo!

I am so sorry.

No, I'm fine. Just...

Here we go. Here we go.

Can you give me a little boost?

Okay.

Oh! Thank you.

Just... Try to get my...

into a more comfortable...

Okay.

Oh! Gosh, I'm sorry. Are you all right?

I'm okay. I'm all right.

I'm sorry.

Don't worry about it.

Just let me get a little closer.

[grunts]

[sighs]

Okay.

This is probably not what you had in mind.

Oh, falling, no, eating, yes.

Okay.

[sighs]

Hmm... Ooh.

Bulani Katchalu...

flat-bread stuffed with stewed leeks.

Hmm...

You know we can always go somewhere else.

There's a...

No, no, I really want to try this.

Well, maybe afterwards we can do something else, and your choice.

All right. Um, do you like salsa music?

Okay.

Lieutenant, prior to your arrival

from Masirah, were you aware of regulations

concerning female behavior off base?

Yes, sir, but I was under the impression

those regulations were being rethought.

When you discovered, Lieutenant, that they weren't

why didn't you transfer back to the naval base?

Because once inside, sir

I realized I might be in a position

where I can do something about them.

Why bother? None of the other

female personnel seemed to mind.

They do mind, sir

but most feel they don't have a voice in the matter.

Based on what I've seen, sir,

it's pretty much that way for all women in this region.

What have you seen, Lieutenant?

A lot of sick mothers,

children, and elderly, sir.

See, the trick about dropping supplies, sir, is to get them to the neediest.

Does that happen?

If they aren't hoarded or seized by troops

on the ground first.

That happens more often than it should, in my opinion.

[Rabb] Does that bother you, Lieutenant?

[Donato] Yes, sir.

The reason why I wanted to be a part of this

was so I can help people in need.

Is that because of your upbringing?

Yes, sir, it is.

I grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, sir.

The only girl in five.

All of us were taught to serve.

One of my brothers is a cop.

The other's in the Coast Guard, and two are firemen.

Do you regret, Lieutenant, having defied base regulations?

I regret the controversy, the bad press and the conflicts

with my superiors, sir.

But I'm not sorry for fighting a policy that disrespects women.

Thank you, Lieutenant. Nothing further.

Lieutenant, you claim to be concerned for refugees

but you came here to fly, did you not?

Yes, that's what I do, ma'am.

According to your base commander in Masirah

that is the one and only reason you jumped at this assignment.

Objection. Hearsay and facts not in evidence.

Sustained. You needn't respond, Lieutenant.

[Sara] Lieutenant, did you write letters

or file protests regarding Saudi off-base regulations

prior to coming here?

-No, ma'am. -Isn't that because

they were of absolutely no concern to you

until they directly affected your life?

And the lives of every woman I've met on and off base.

That would include you, ma'am.

[Latham] So, you would think given the state

of their military readiness

they'd be more likely to agree.

I don't mean to change the subject

but I don't think you ever told me where you're from.

Detroit, the district I represent.

Have you always lived there, or did you return?

No. I returned to help my mother

with some local civil rights initiatives.

This will interest you.

The state legislature at the time...

Are you close with your mother?

Yeah, we talk often.

It's important to have that touchstone.

I think so.

In fact, um, I was having a conversation with her

this morning about Lieutenant Donato

the Navy lieutenant in Saudi Arabia

who's fighting the off-base codes of behavior.

Are you familiar with that?

Yes, I am.

Do you have any interest in politics, Commander?

Uh, yes, I do.

But you just don't seem to want to go there.

I'm sorry, but I just don't know very much about you.

I assumed I was telling you.

You're telling me what you do

which I agree is an insight into how you think

but I'm also curious into how you feel

and to be honest

I don't usually talk shop outside the office.

That's all I do.

You know what they say if there'd been no cloakroom, there'd be no Constitution.

I wonder what they say about relationships.

-Commander? -It ishim.

-Well, hello. -Hey, we saw you through the window.

It's great to see you, Congresswoman.

Hi. I'd stand, but I don't think I can.

How are you guys?

We're good now.

The baby-sitter was late

we got stuck in a traffic jam.

We lost our reservations.

Sorry to hear that.

What are you going to do?

I don't know. We were just looking for a restaurant.

This place looks really interesting. Have you guys eaten?

Yes, but we'd love to stay

and have coffee and dessert with you.

-Well, that would be great. -Please, join us.

You know, you look very nice.

Well, thank you very much.

So...

We had no idea.

About what, Lieutenant?

Uh, that you two...

First date.

Oh, well, are you sure you two don't want to be alone?

-Yes. -We're sure.

[Sara] Colonel, Commander.

Hello, Colonel.

We were just considering going to dinner.

Care to put on a shapeless black dress and join us?

Emotional arguments aside

this case will go to court-martial

and your tactics will just prolong the agony

for all involved.

What do you have for us, Colonel?

Clambake, Streetcar 3-5. Job completed.

Heading home, over.

[man over radio] Roger that, Streetcar 3-5. Clambake out.

Whoa!

Fire warning light on two.

[Donato] Condition lever two, feather.

-Two feather. -Fire handle, pull. Fire handle, pull.

Fire agent, discharge.

Roger that, Lieutenant.

Max power on one, three and four.

One, three, four max.

She's not behaving, Lieutenant.

Gear down. Back me up on the rudders and aileron.

-Utility boost pump off. -Off.

-One and two engine hydraulic pumps off. -One and two off.

Pull circuit breaker on utility suction pump.

-Sarge. -Done, Lieutenant.

Where's the nearest field, Alex?

There's a dirt strip a mile south of us.

Emergency landing, boys! Lock yourselves in!

Final offer: base commander will agree

to a non-punitive letter of caution

and a transfer back to Masirah.

The Lieutenant goes quietly

into the night and all is forgotten.

If it doesn't involve flying

the lieutenant won't be going quietly anywhere.

[Rabb] The lieutenant keeps flying

and she stays in Saudi Arabia

Why are you taking such a hard line on this?

Because we can, Colonel.

Know any prayers, Alex?

I'm already on it, Lieutenant. I'm already on it.

Beautiful, Brooklyn, beautiful.

She can fly but her Air Force fit-rep reflects her conduct

and she gets a non-punitive letter of caution.

Well, we'll discuss it with her.

The lieutenant is shy, but I'm sure

we can coax an answer out of her.

I just hope she realizes how fortunate she is.

She may be strong-willed, Colonel

but she's not stupid.

Check the landing gear, Sergeant and number three and number four engines.

Right away, Lieutenant.

[Donato] We've got company. Lieutenant.

[man speaking Arabic]

[in English] It's okay, Lieutenant. They're local boys.

We'll need your Arabic, Alex.

[in Arabic]

[in English] He wants you to wear an abaya.

[scoffs] We don't have one with us.

[in Arabic]

[in English] This is his solution.

Tell him regulations say I don't have to cover up

while operating military equipment.

[in Arabic]

-[grunts] -[groans]

[speaks Arabic]

[in English] Easy, boys. Easy.

-Translate that, Lieutenant. -Whoa, whoa.

You really did it this time, Lieutenant. You were free and clear.

We negotiated your punishment down

to a paragraph in your service record.

-And now? -Now prosecution will argue effectively,

that you can no longer be trusted

by the Air Force and Navy to represent their interests

in this part of the world.

[sighs]

Commander, Colonel, I'm sorry.

If you want to bail out on this one...

We're not bailing

but that doesn't mean the boat isn't sinking.

We're going to have to come up

with a new game plan.

Sir, ma'am, Lieutenant Donato saved our lives

and a $40-million aircraft.

Instead of offering help

the Saudis tried to humiliate her.

Can't that be your argument?

The hearing officer will only buy

so many excuses, Lieutenant.

Well, you can still claim

that the regulations were unfair.

We've done that ad nauseum.

From the woman's perspective only, sir.

You see, Lieutenant Donato was the kind of person

who refuses to drag people into her own affairs

so I'm sure she hasn't told you everything.

Alex, what are you doing?

These regs are inconsistent with the principles

of good order and discipline, sir, ma'am

and I'm not the only man on base who thinks this way.

Hey, Bud, I was balancing our checkbook

and I came across this.

For the baby-sitter.

What's $55, though?

Yeah, $10 an hour.

She was the only one available.

We spent most of that time sitting in traffic.

Not to mention having to sit with two people

who didn't talk to each other for an hour and a half.

Really, sir?

We didn't notice.

No, sir. It was fine.

And the meal was interesting.

I'm sorry, sir. What was the problem?

Still working on that, Lieutenant.

With all due respect, sir,

it was the first date.

Maybe you should try it again.

Lieutenant Kragen, you're a pilot

-in Lieutenant Donato's squadron, is that right? -Yes, ma'am.

Do you and the others have a good relationship with the lieutenant?

We do, ma'am. Lieutenant Donato's popular.

Do you all hang out?

On base, ma'am.

[MacKenzie] Not off?

[Kragen] The lieutenant chooses not to join us, ma'am.

Is that because she has to wear an abaya and a veil?

That's right, ma'am. Still, we always ask.

Did you ask her to join you on January ninth?

Yes, ma'am.

A bunch of us thought it'd be funny

if we showed up at her quarters wearing abayas and veils

so we bummed some off some female personnel

knocked on her door, and when she answered it

we were standing there

looking like something from the Osama Experience.

Was the lieutenant amused?

No, ma'am.

The joke backfired.

She was very upset, and we apologized.

Explained to her this was just our adolescent way of showing solidarity.

So, what time was this?

About 12:30, ma'am.

An hour prior to the incident at the cafe.

Yes, ma'am.

Did you feel in some way responsible

for what the lieutenant did?

I believe in taking full responsibility

for one's actions, ma'am

but I regret we weren't more sensitive

as to how she felt about things.

Lieutenant Zahar, you're Lieutenant Donato's copilot, correct?

-Yes, sir. -Please tell the court what happened the first week

that Lieutenant Donato arrived on the base.

We were pre-flighting, sir.

It was about 110 on the asphalt.

The crew chief and I tied

our flight suits around our waist

but when Lieutenant Donato tried to do the same

a group of Saudi workman

who we're on a lunch break, began protesting.

What was their problem?

Disrespect of Islamic law, sir.

How did the lieutenant react?

She was cool about it, sir.

Asked, through me

if she could at least unzip her collar.

[Rabb] Was this acceptable to them?

[Alex] No, sir.

One of them threw a piece of fruit at her.

Did you stand up to them, Lieutenant?

We started to, sir

but the lieutenant ordered us off.

Why?

She didn't want to create an incident, sir.

And although she didn't say as much

I think she was trying to protect us

from getting into any trouble.

This doesn't sound like a woman

who openly flouted off-base regulations.

Five months of being zipped up will do that to you, sir.

It's got to wear you down.

How do you feel about all this, Lieutenant?

Confused, sir.

In the air, Lieutenant Donato is an officer

and an exceptional pilot.

And on the ground, she's faceless and dependent.

After months of watching women being subjugated

you almost start to buy into it.

For example, you realize that you don't have

to salute a woman wearing an abaya

if you don't know what rank she is.

In my opinion, sir

the regs erode unit cohesion.

[indistinct chatter over TV]

[phone rings]

-Yes. -Hi, Bobby. It's Sturgis.

It's a little late, isn't it?

I know. I-- I apologize.

I just had to take a break from this brief

and I've been thinking about our evening together.

And what have you concluded?

That I'm still attracted to you.

Why? We have absolutely nothing in common.

I don't think that's true.

You'd probably be surprised

to learn we agree on most women's issues.

Like the Donato case?

I support what she did.

As an attorney?

As a member of a perceived underclass.

I assume you're not talking about submariners.

[chuckles]

[chuckles]

Uh, look, Sturgis,

this is probably more my problem than yours

so why don't we just write it off

as the right people at the wrong moment?

I don't think I want to do that.

I'd, I'd like to give it another shot.

How do you even know we can agree on an activity?

How about this?

How does a quiet evening

in a cozy, neutral environment sound to you?

Acceptable.

Is that a yes?

Okay.

One more thing.

Do you like kids?

Your Honor, in past wars, field officers were told to remove their bars

because their superiors were more interested

in protecting them from sniper bullets

than in hurting their feelings.

By disobeying a standing order

Lieutenant Donato offended our hosts

and made herself a target for terrorists.

In doing so, she lost sight of the bigger picture

and seriously damaged

the maintenance of good order and discipline

that is so vital in wartime.

Your Honor, good order and discipline have

no productive application without unit cohesion.

You heard men from Lieutenant Donato's squadron

express their frustration over a policy that weakens the bond

between our brothers- and sisters-in-arms.

The defense asks, sir, that you simply acknowledge

what the men of Prince Sultan Airbase already understand:

that asking anyone, sir ,

to withhold their identity and reduce their stature

in the eyes of others is inconsistent

with the very values our fighting men and women

have been sent here to defend.

Now if he wants something to drink...

Half juice, half water in a sippy cup. I'm on it.

-Have a good time. -And you have our cell number.

Memorized. You're going to lose your reservation.

-Bye, sweetheart. -[boy] Bye-bye.

-Thanks. -Good night.

Okay.

Where are we?

Olive Owl is lost.

Oh. Well, let's get her home.

"'Where is my Mommy?' asked Olive.

The tree turned its leaves up facing the moon above.

'Have you asked Mr. Moon?'"

-Yeah. -[chuckles]

[judge] Will Lieutenant Stephanie Donato and counsel please rise?

After reviewing the evidence, I've determined

that although a clear violation of orders occurred

circumstances mitigate against recommending this matter

to court-martial.

I don't want to see you back here, Lieutenant.

-This hearing is adjourned. -[pounds gavel]

Sir.

Ma'am, thank you.

You realize, Lieutenant, that this probably won't change anything.

-I know, sir. -If you'd told us

about the tarmac incident earlier...

You would have thought me a wuss, ma'am.

Lieutenant, congratulations.

Thank you, ma'am. Maybe you can take comfort

in the fact Air Force beat Navy in the big game this year.

You underestimate me, Lieutenant.

I just spoke to General Sawyer, and he asked me to inform you

that if you persist in speaking in opposition to standing policy

you will be grounded.

I think I see your first challenge, Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Donato, Joshua Sparks, Navy Today.

-A few questions? -Direct them to me, Mr. Sparks.

Okay. What's her reaction to the verdict?

The lieutenant regrets her actions

and accepts the obligation to her oath.

She now realizes that military

personnel must sometimes sacrifice certain freedoms

so that others might one day enjoy them.

That sounds like a contradiction, Colonel.

And it will remain so

until the Department of Defense realizes

that short-term solutions cause long-term problems.

Lieutenant Donato looks forward to the day

that not one member of the armed forces

will be forced to suffer disrespect

as a price for victory.

You did prosecute this case, didn't you?

As ordered, Mr. Sparks.

[closing theme music playing]