The Best Col. Nathan R. Jessep Quotes

Col. Jessup: [in Jessup's office with Markinson, Kendrick, Weinberg and Galloway present] How the hell is your dad, Danny?
Kaffee: He passed away seven years ago, sir.
Col. Jessup: Don't I feel like the fucking asshole?
Kaffee: Not at all sir.

Col. Jessup: [after Danny casually and dispectfully requests Santiago's transfer order during lunch in Cuba] You see Danny, I can deal with the bullets, and the bombs, and the blood. I don't want money, and I don't want medals. What I do want is for you to stand there in that faggoty white uniform and with your Harvard mouth extend me some fucking courtesy. You gotta ask me nicely.

Judge: [to Kaffee from the judge's bench] Consider yourself in contempt!
Kaffee: Colonel Jessup, did you order the Code Red?
Judge: You don't have to answer that question!
Col. Jessup: I'll answer the question!
[to Kaffee]
Col. Jessup: You want answers?
Kaffee: I think I'm entitled to.
Col. Jessep: You want answers?
Kaffee: I WANT THE TRUTH!
Col. Jessup: YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!
[pauses]
Col. Jessup: 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, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you could 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 are entitled to!
Kaffee: Did you order the code red?
Col. Jessup: I did the job I...
Kaffee: [interrupts him] *Did you order the Code Red?*
Col. Jessup: *You're God damn right I did!*

Col. Jessup: [refering to Santiago] I felt his life might be in danger.
Kaffee: Grave danger?
Col. Jessup: [sarcastically] Is there another kind?

Col. Jessup: Have you ever spent time in an infantry unit, son?
Kaffee: No, sir.
Col. Jessup: Ever served in a forward area?
Kaffee: No, sir.
Col. Jessup: Ever put your life in another man's hands, ask him to put his life in yours?
Kaffee: No, sir.
Col. Jessup: We follow orders, son. We follow orders or people die. It's that simple. Are we clear?
Kaffee: Yes, sir.
Col. Jessup: [slower and louder] Are we clear?
Kaffee: Crystal.

Col. Jessup: [Judge dismisses the jury after Jessep's revelation on the stand about the Code Red] What is this? What's going on? I did my job, I'd do it again!
[stands up defiantly]
Col. Jessup: I'm gonna get on a plane and go on back to my base.
Judge: You're not going anywhere, Colonel. MP's... guard the Colonel!
[MPs take post]
Judge: Captain Ross?
Col. Jessup: What the hell is this?
Capt. Ross: Colonel Jessup, you have the right to remain silent. Any statement you make...
Col. Jessup: I'm being charged with a crime? Is that what this is? I'm being charged with a crime? This is funny. That's what this is. This is...
[turning to Kaffee and lunging at him]
Col. Jessup: ... I'm gonna rip the eyes out of your head and piss into your dead skull! You fucked with the wrong Marine!
Capt. Ross: Colonel Jessup! Do you understand these rights as I have just read them to you?
Col. Jessup: [contemptuously] You fuckin' people... you have no idea how to defend a nation. All you did was weaken a country today, Kaffee. That's all you did. You put people's lives in danger. Sweet dreams, son.
Kaffee: Don't call me son. I'm a lawyer, and an officer in the United States Navy, and you're under arrest you son of a bitch.
[glares at Jessup]
Kaffee: The witness is excused.

Col. Jessup: [to Galloway during lunch in Cuba with Kaffee, Weinberg, Kendrick, and Markinson present] I run my unit how I run my unit. You want to investigate me, roll the dice and take your chances. I eat breakfast 300 yards from 4000 Cubans who are trained to kill me, so don't think for one second that you can come down here, flash a badge, and make me nervous.

Col. Jessup: [during lunch in Cuba with Markinson, Kaffee, Galloway, Weinberg, Kendrick present] Take caution in your tone, Commander. I'm a fair guy, but this fucking heat is making me absolutely crazy.

Kaffee: [Kaffee has just asked why Santiago hadn't packed despite being due to be transferred in a few hours after the time of his death. Jessup smirks] Is this funny, sir?
Col. Jessup: No, it isn't. It's tragic.
Kaffee: Do you have an answer to the question, Colonel?
Col. Jessup: Absolutely. My answer is I don't have the first damn clue. Maybe he was an early riser and liked to pack in the morning. And maybe he didn't have any friends. I'm an educated man, but I'm afraid I can't speak intelligently about the travel habits of William Santiago. What I do know is that he was set to leave the base at 0600. Now, are these really the questions I was called here to answer? Phone calls and foot lockers? Please tell me that you have something more, Lieutenant. These two Marines are on trial for their lives. Please tell me their lawyer hasn't pinned their hopes to a phone bill.
[Kaffee hesitates, dumbfounded]
Col. Jessup: Do you have any more questions for me, Counselor?
Judge: Lt. Kaffee?
[pause]
Judge: Lieutenant, do you have anything further for this witness?
Col. Jessup: [standing to leave] Thanks, Danny. I love Washington.
Kaffee: Excuse me. I didn't dismiss you.
Col. Jessup: I beg your pardon?
Kaffee: I'm not through with my examination. Sit down.
Col. Jessup: Colonel!
Kaffee: What's that?
Col. Jessup: I would appreciate it if you would address me as "Colonel" or "Sir." I believe I've earned it.
Judge: Defense counsel will address the witness as "Colonel" or "Sir."
Col. Jessup: I don't know what the hell kind of unit you're running here.
Judge: And the witness will address this court as "Judge" or "Your Honor." I'm quite certain I've earned it. Take your seat, Colonel.

Col. Jessep: [sarcastically to Danny after he asked him what he packed and who he called before his trip to Washington D.C] What do you wanna discuss now? My favorite color?