Can You Handle the Truth? with Few Good Men

Today happens to be the last Friday of the year 2024—how amazing is that? It’s incredible how fast this year has flown by. 

Not much is happening around here today, but sometimes we need these low-key days to unwind and reflect on the ups and downs of life.

As I was reflecting, I found myself thinking about some movies I’ve enjoyed over the years, and "A Few Good Men" came to mind. Below is a transcript of one of my favorite parts of the movie. I love it so much that I even have a clip of it on my YouTube channel. That’s how deeply it resonates with me and my thoughts  on leadership.

We all share a responsibility to one another and to the boundaries we find ourselves called countries. Sometimes, difficult decisions have to be made for our greater good, but no matter what, we must always incorporate high moral standards into the choices we make. True leadership is rooted in integrity, not cronyism.

I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I do!

Here:

“Do you have any other questions for me, Counselor?” Lieutenant Kathy, Lieutenant, do you have anything further for this witness?  

Thanks, Danny.  

I love Washington.  

Excuse me, I didn’t dismiss you.  

I beg your pardon?  

I’m not through with my examination. Sit down, Colonel.  

What’s that?  

I’d appreciate it if he would address me as Colonel or Sir. I believe I’ve earned it.  

Defense counsel will address the witness as Colonel or Sir.  

I don’t know what the hell kind of unit you’re running here.  

The witness will address this court as Judge or Your Honor. I’m quite certain I’ve earned it.  

Take your seat.  

Come. What do you want to discuss now, my favorite color?  

The 6 a.m. flight was the first one off the base, yes?  

There wasn’t a flight that left seven hours earlier and landed at Andrews Air Force Base at 2 a.m.?  

Lieutenant, I think we’ve covered this, haven’t we?  

Your Honor, these are the tower chief’s logs for both Guantanamo Bay and Andrews Air Force Base.  

The logs list no flight that left at 11 p.m., and the Andrews log lists no flight that landed at 2 a.m. I’d like to admit them as defense exhibits Alpha and Bravo.  

I don’t understand. You’re admitting evidence of a flight that never existed?  

Well, we believe it did, Sir.  

Defense will be calling Airman Cecil O’Malley and Airman Anthony Rodriguez. They were working the ground crew at Andrews at 2 a.m. on the 7th.  

Your Honor, these men weren’t on the list.  

Rebuttal witnesses, Your Honor, called specifically to refute testimony offered under direct examination.  

I’ll allow the witnesses.  

This is ridiculous.  

Colonel, a moment ago—  

Check the tower logs, for Christ’s sake.  

Well, we’ll get to the airmen in just a minute, Sir. A moment ago, you said that you ordered Lieutenant Kendrick to tell his men that Santiago wasn’t to be touched.  

That’s right.  

And Lieutenant Kendrick was clear on what you wanted?  

Crystal.  

Any chance Lieutenant Kendrick ignored the order?  

Ignored the order?  

Any chance he forgot about it?  

No.  

Any chance Lieutenant Kendrick left your office and said, “The old man is wrong”?  

No.  

When Lieutenant Kendrick spoke to the platoon and ordered them not to touch Santiago, any chance they ignored him?  

You ever served in an infantry unit, son?  

No, Sir.  

Ever served in a forward area?  

No, Sir.  

Ever put your life in another man’s hands, asked him to put his life in yours?  

No, Sir.  

We follow orders, son. We follow orders, or people die. It’s that simple. Are we clear?  

Yes, Sir.  

Are we clear?  

Crystal.  

Colonel, I have just one more question before I call Airman O’Malley and Airman Rodriguez.  

If you gave an order that Santiago wasn’t to be touched, and your orders are always followed, then why would Santiago be in danger? Why would it be necessary to transfer him off the base?  

Santiago was a substandard Marine. He was being transferred.  

Not what you said. You said he was being transferred because he was in grave danger.  

That’s correct.  

You said he was in danger?  

I said grave danger.  

You said—is that what you recall?  

What I said—yeah.  

The court reporter will read back to you.  

I know what I said. I don’t have to have it read back to me like I’m two.  

Colonel, sometimes men take matters into their own hands.  

No, Sir.  

You made it clear just a moment ago that your men never take matters into their own hands. Your men follow orders, or people die. So Santiago shouldn’t have been in any danger at all, should he have, Colonel?  

You snotty little bastard.  

Your Honor, I’d like to ask for a recess.  

I’d like to answer the question.  

Judge: The court will wait for an answer.  

If Lieutenant Kendrick gave an order that Santiago wasn’t to be touched, then why did he have to be transferred?  

Colonel: Lieutenant Kendrick ordered the Code Red, didn’t he? Because that’s what you told Lieutenant Kendrick to do.  

I’m—  

Jack: When it went bad, you cut these guys loose!  

Your Honor, you’re inside the lines!  

Did you order the Code Red?  

You don’t have to answer that question.  

I’ll answer the question. You want answers?  

I think I’m entitled.  

You want answers?  

I want the truth!  

You can’t handle the truth!  

Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have 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 you 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 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 these words as the backbone of a life spent defending 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 that 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 you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you’re entitled to.  

Did you order the Code Red?  

I did the job—  

Did you order the Code Red?  

You’re goddamn right I did!  

Judge: Please, the court—I suggest the members be dismissed so we can move to an immediate Article 39(a) session.  

The witness has rights, Captain Ross.  

Jack: The members of the court will retire to an anteroom until further instructed.  

What the hell is this?  

Colonel: What’s going on?  

I did my job. I’d do it again.  

Jack: You’re not going anywhere, Colonel. MPs, guard the Colonel.  

Yes, Sir.  

Captain Ross: What the hell is this?  

You have the right to remain silent. Any statement—  

Colonel: I’m being charged with a crime?  

The trial by court-martial—is that what this is? Or administrative?  

I’m being charged with a crime?  

Isn't this movie beyond entertainment?

Have a wonderful weekend and please don't forget to drop me comments

Pal Ronnie