We're pinned down!
White, A5.
Wait.
He doesn't have a weapon.
Get down.
White, B2.
Confirmed.
That's a hit.
Well done.
Okay, let's go.
- Captain. - No need to proceed, corporal.
You are relieved.
I, uh, need you to come with us.
What's this about, captain?
Corporal Maars is being charged with desertion.
- Sir, he's standing right in front of you. - Yeah.
Except the charge is being brought forth by the U.S. Marine Corps.
Wow.
I wasn't expecting this.
You look so good.
Daddy.
Hey. Come here, little cowboy.
I missed you, buddy.
I went poo-poo in the potty.
Oh, you big boy.
Good job, buddy.
Okay. Here you go.
Back to Mama.
Come on, cutie.
Sorry about the break in protocol, sir.
Not a problem.
- Mikey. - Hey, Bud.
How's the academy?
- It's tough. - You're up to the challenge.
Dad here?
He got tied up.
The doctor on the Guadalcanal is really encouraged by Bud's recovery.
Hey, hey. Way to go, Bud.
Thank you, sir.
She said in time, he should be fully functional.
Which would actually be an improvement
over the way I used to be.
What can we do to help, Bud?
You being here is enough, ma'am.
Excuse me, lieutenant, we're available.
Whatever you need.
Right now it's up to me, sir. We'll talk when I'm back on my feet.
As you were.
Anyone here believe Lieutenant Roberts' circumstances
should affect our attitudes?
- No, sir. - No, sir.
I agree.
First up, Marine Corporal Peter Maars went UA from the USS San Michiel
when it was docked in the port of Haifa.
Five months later,
his company commander happened to catch him
in the background of a ZNN report from the West Bank.
He was wearing the uniform of an Israeli army paratrooper.
The charge is desertion. He's been extradited.
Uh, Rabb, you and MacKenzie will defend.
Yes, sir.
The corporal was an expert in hyperspectral imaging.
It's a very uncommon skill set with the Israeli Defence Force
and they want him back.
Turner, you and Singer will prosecute. Turner, you're first chair.
- Yes, sir. - Understood, sir.
Did the corporal indicate why he deserted in the first place, sir?
- Anti-Semitism, sir. - From whom, corporal?
A member of my platoon, commander. A Corporal Fogel.
You request Mast up the chain of command?
All the way to my CO, ma'am. It did no good.
When Corporal Fogel came back at me, I took him on.
Got relieved as fire-team leader for my troubles.
At what point did you decide to leave?
- About that time, sir. - Have a seat.
So you were, uh, frustrated?
Persecuted, sir.
Do you believe that validates desertion?
I guess I looked at it more as changing alliances than deserting, ma'am.
The problem wasn't going away. I could no longer serve as trained.
Israeli citizens were being murdered in their own neighbourhoods.
I figured if I couldn't be useful to the country of my birth,
I'd join the country of my faith.
You think a panel will be receptive to that argument?
Well, if they react like you, ma'am, no.
But I'm willing to accept any kind of discharge
as long as I'm allowed to serve where I'm wanted.
I love Israel. Everything about it.
The culture, the food, the passion for life.
I just wanna go back.
Well, you'll first have to avoid confinement, corporal.
Well, that's where I'm hoping you can be of help, sir.
The corporal who was harassing you, did he ever harm you physically
in any way?
- He threatened to, sir. - What initiated the hostility?
When he found out I had converted, ma'am.
It bothered him that I had chosen Judaism.
Attention to orders.
For wounds received in combat on May 21 st, 2002
in Ghazni, Afghanistan, Lieutenant Bud J. Roberts,
U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General Corps,
is awarded the Purple Heart.
Um...
Should I?
I'll take it, sir.
It'll be a reminder of Bud's desire to return to JAG.
Good attitude, brother.
My, uh, shrapnel wound is still infected, sir, but as soon as it heals.
They expect it to take about three weeks, sir.
Well, no need to rush. You've got a lot on your plate, lieutenant.
Convalescent leave, medical board, reviews of those findings.
I understand that, sir.
Bud will overcome that. We'll make sure. It's a family affair, sir.
So you, uh, heard from your father?
Not yet, sir.
Uh, by the way, sir, in the meantime, I am available for research,
consultations, phone investigations.
Oh, I would, uh, think you'd wanna concentrate
on your rehab right now.
Well, I do.
But I consider my duties at JAG part of that process, sir.
- Well, we'll see. - I am serious, admiral.
Our only option is to duress.
We need to prove he was escaping intolerable circumstances.
The corporal's desire to be of service to Israel will work against him.
We need a handle, Mac.
He has a compelling story.
- Yeah, but can he deliver it? - Not in his current state of mind.
The corporal has no idea how much trouble he's in.
He's still expecting a discharge.
If we don't knock this out of the park,
the Members will turn him into a middle-aged convict.
Do you have an idea?
You first.
- We settle. - That was my idea.
Offer six months, say yes to one year's confinement.
Have you noticed we're beginning to think alike?
That's something, isn't it?
How do you account for that?
Uh, a rip in the time-space continuum.
Ten years confinement.
- What? - Way out of line.
Sir, ma'am, the sentence for desertion with intent to avoid hazardous duty
during wartime can be life imprisonment,
or in extreme circumstances, death.
I didn't avoid hazardous duty, lieutenant. I sought it out.
In another country's army, corporal.
The time-of-war argument doesn't apply.
Since the advent of terrorism,
plenty of deserters have been administratively separated
- with bad paper but no confinement. - Times are changing.
You're forgetting the corporal has been awarded
a citation for bravery by the Israeli Defence Force.
He can wear it on his overalls in Leavenworth, sir.
Six months confinement, discharge as adjudged.
- Goodbye. - One year.
- Ten. - Why the hard line, commander?
Because neither the lieutenant nor I swallow desertion
as an answer to discrimination.
- There are mitigating factors, Sturgis. - The offer stands.
Our client has suffered day-to-day harassment
from his own platoon, not to mention the consistent threat
of bodily harm all because he's Jewish.
Put yourself in his shoes.
I happen to be in his shoes, commander.
I'm Jewish myself.
And I can't imagine a single scenario
that would ever force me to break my oath of service.
Come in. - Preliminary witness list, sir.
Thank you, lieutenant.
- You're staring, commander. - Why didn't I know you were Jewish?
Until yesterday afternoon, sir, no one knew.
It's not something I advertise.
- So you prefer to conceal it? - That's not what I said, sir.
Uh, I'm just curious. Why wouldn't you want us to know?
I'd rather not be identified by a religion I don't practise, sir.
Well, may I ask what religion you do practise?
The Navy is my religion, sir.
Do you identify with your heritage in any way?
It was never a part of my growing up, commander.
So relative to the Maars case, you're not offended
by anti-Semitic behaviour?
I would be if I'd experienced it, commander,
but that hasn't been the case.
Maybe you haven't experienced it because no one knows you're Jewish.
If that'll be all, sir...
Introducing...
Hammer King. It goes the distance.
Yeah? - Hey, Dad.
Bud?
Listen, I, uh...
Hey, how are you, son? Are they taking good care of you?
They are.
- Listen, I wanted to... - Hey, Mikey says you look great.
- Not that much has changed, Dad. - Well, no. No, of course not.
Uh, heh...
Hey, look, son, I'm sorry I missed your arrival.
I mean, I got hung up at the DMV.
Uh, first they put me in the wrong line
and then there was some problem with...
Dad, you don't have to come and visit.
No. No, I'm coming. Um...
It's okay.
I know you care.
So, uh, what kind of sludge are they feeding you down there?
Can I bring you a pizza?
Sure.
Deep dish?
You know what I like.
- Looking forward to it, son. - Me too.
- Dad? - Yeah?
I love you.
I try to be encouraging, but I can't help but feel,
I don't know, a bit uncomfortable.
That's natural. I wouldn't know what to say to someone
who's suffered that kind of injury.
Yeah, but you didn't suggest that your staff get past it.
So, what is it that you can't get past?
- I don't know. - Sure you do.
All right. All right.
It involves the lieutenant's wife.
Then talk to her. Ask her if there's a problem.
- I should. - But you're afraid of the answer.
Well, would you prefer suffering with the question?
If I did, I wouldn't...
I wouldn't be talking about it.
Okay. So knowing what you know, what are you going to do?
Works for me.
When Corporal Peter Maars reported anti-Semitic behaviour
from a member of your platoon, how did you respond?
I questioned the Marine Corporal Fogel, sir.
Did he admit any wrongdoing?
He admitted to being an equal-opportunity offender, sir.
Liked to go after any member of the platoon
who didn't share his racial and religious history.
And how did you respond to this answer?
I gave him an earful, sir.
- But I knew what he meant. - Can you elaborate, please?
Well, the Marines have a well-defined policy against bigotry.
But there is a kind of benign ribbing that tends to go on.
There's no harm meant.
It's just an instinctive way of levelling things.
Everyone takes a little abuse about their race and religion.
Are you speaking from personal experience?
I've found a watermelon or two in my locker, sir.
Had anyone else complained about such treatment?
Just Corporal Maars, sir.
- Did Corporal Fogel agree to back off? - He did, sir.
What happened three days later?
Corporal Maars broke Corporal Fogel's nose in two places.
How did you react to this, sir? I held office hours, sir.
Busted Corporal Fogel one pay grade to lance corporal.
Elected not to impose one on Corporal Maars,
but I did relieve him of his duties as fire-team leader.
Why did you handle Corporal Maars differently?
His job required a high level of responsibility
and good judgement, sir.
Was Corporal Maars unhappy about your actions?
Extremely. And when did he go UA?
- Four days later, sir. - No more questions.
Captain, did Corporal Maars characterise his actions
as self-defence?
Yes, sir. He said Corporal Fogel had threatened him
with physical harm.
Is that what you meant by benign ribbing?
No, sir.
But by that time, tension between those two had escalated.
That's why I refused to pick sides and I chose to punish them both.
Did it not occur to you
that given the tensions in the Middle East,
anti-Semitic commentary of any weight was inappropriate?
Yes. I also knew that Corporal Maars was a recent convert to Judaism.
Because he wasn't used to being treated that way,
I felt he could have been overreacting.
Well, according to that explanation then,
Corporal Maars was at fault for being offended.
Corporal Maars was at fault for breaking a Marine's nose, sir.
Enter.
As requested, sir.
Oh.
Thank you, lieutenant.
- Been to the hospital today? - Every day, sir.
Uh...
Bud's, uh, doing remarkably well.
- Yes, he is, sir. - It's almost unreal, heh.
Oh, it's very real, sir.
Of course.
I'm sorry, sir. I'm just trying not to judge it.
I understand.
I'm a little backed up out there, sir, so if that's all...
- Do you resent me, lieutenant? - I'm sorry, sir?
I was instrumental in getting Bud his assignment.
Do you hold me responsible?
Yes, sir.
You are responsible
for enabling Bud to grow into the kind of man
who can overcome adversity.
I think if Bud were given the choice whether to get his leg back
or never having had you in his life,
he wouldn't blink before choosing your leadership, sir.
I am really swamped out there, sir.
- Dismissed. - Aye, sir.
Corporal Liggett, how well did you know Corporal Maars?
We talked, ma'am. - Did he ever talk about his mother?
- Objection. Relevance. - Goes to state of mind, Your Honour.
Overruled. Answer the question, corporal.
The corporal said his mother had a bad reaction
when he told her he had converted to Judaism.
Objection. Hearsay.
I want to hear this testimony, counsellor.
Same ruling.
What kind of reaction?
She told him he'd burn in hell and then spit at him.
How did Corporal Maars feel about this?
That's why he cut off contact with her.
Pretty much why he joined the Marine Corps.
Could you be more specific?
What he told me, ma'am, was that he was looking to travel,
wanted to be as far away from his mother as possible.
Your witness.
Corporal Liggett, wasn't Corporal Maars also upset
about being harassed by Corporal Fogel?
He was, ma'am. Did you witness this harassment?
A couple of times.
Did you approve of his behaviour towards Corporal Maars?
No, ma'am.
- No more questions. Redirect, Your Honour?
Corporal Liggett, did Corporal Maars receive a letter from his mother
the day before he deserted?
Yes, Ma'am. I ran into him on deck. He had it with him.
- Had he opened it? - No, ma'am.
And what did he do with it?
He threw it over the fantail, ma'am.
Punitive discharge, four years confinement.
- Four years? - If it were up to Lieutenant Singer,
you'd be facing brig time for the rest of your life.
Yeah, and we were able to move her off the mark
mainly because her lead counsel doesn't see any point
in dragging this thing on.
I don't understand. You'd think as a Jew she'd be able to relate.
Yeah, well, you'd think as a human, she'd be able to relate.
You should take the deal, corporal.
It's good, considering they have control of this trial.
You haven't even presented my defence yet.
We're limited in what we can do now, corporal.
They've impeached duress strategy by suggesting you left
because you'd been punished and running from your mother.
If we don't settle now, you're facing more prison time.
And if we succeed, I can walk away with none.
We don't have a case, corporal.
I'm asking you to find one, sir.
Lo mein. This must be yours.
Hmm, what'd you get?
Buddha's delight.
Mac, I'm stumped.
I don't know how we defend Corporal Maars at this point.
Duress suffered as a result of religious persecution, we can argue.
Without it, we're left with character.
Which is a tough angle considering he deserted.
This is anything but delightful.
- You like noodles? - You don't mind sharing?
Dig in.
What if we...?
What if we portray him as a man so eager to fight a common enemy?
That he's willing to break the rules. Not bad.
- It's not enough. - Not nearly.
No, we need both strategies.
If we can't establish a reason for him leaving in the first place,
he just looks irresponsible.
Character has to serve motive.
We need to start by building a client with whom the Members can relate.
And who can engage their respect.
But at the same time, they need to consider their own vulnerabilities.
As long as they're not rejecting them as foibles.
The only way this has a chance...
Is to have Corporal Maars take the stand.
Yeah. You need to stop finishing my sentences.
Stop starting mine.
Oh.
- Hi, sweetheart. - Hey, sweetie.
This is from everybody at the office.
Wow.
Do you want a piece?
Yeah. Those pears look great.
Right after rehab, lieutenant.
- Are you taking him down? Mm-hm.
Today, he gets mobile.
Yeah, crutch work. Um...
- Could we do this later, ma'am? - This is your appointment time.
Well, I know, but my wife's here now.
Well, she can wait in the cafeteria. Only be about an hour.
Uh, let's do it later.
Lieutenant, you haven't stood yet.
But I'd like to be with my wife.
It's okay, honey. Go. I can wait.
- Well, I don't want you to wait. It's not a problem.
I'll help you off the bed. - I'm not interested in doing this now.
Really, commander.
I'll see if I can reschedule.
Could you, uh, pass me a pear, please?
How long did Corporal Maars serve under your command in Israel?
- Three months. - And what was his speciality?
He operated cutting-edge electronic imaging equipment.
What was its purpose?
Basically to identify sources of threat.
- In combat? - No, always.
Which made him a visible target for rock throwers,
snipers, gasoline bombs.
Was he effective?
I never saw him waver in execution of his duties.
- So he was brave? Very much so, yeah.
Skilful?
I would say his expertise was responsible for saving many lives,
on both sides of the conflict.
- In what way? - Well, in identifying hidden hostiles,
he was saving Israeli combat soldiers from exposing themselves.
By the same token, it was making it unnecessary for the same soldiers
to use massive firepower against buildings,
thus limiting civilian casualties.
- Was he trustworthy? - Oh, yeah.
- You were impressed by him? - Especially in the spiritual sense.
You see, the corporal's interest was to defend the Jewish state,
not harm Palestinians.
Some of my men were over-stressed and angry,
and frankly, not always willing to make the same distinction he did.
Am I that transparent?
First two dates, you spot the problem, nail the solution.
Maybe, uh, shrinks and priests should teach Shakespeare.
Well, if I'm so insightful, why did it take so long for the second date?
Well, I had to defend a terrorist in Afghanistan.
I would have come. We could have had kebabs in Kabul.
And by the way,
your only transparency is your inability to give yourself credit.
You knew the solutions.
You just needed some feedback to confirm them.
- You're remarkable. - No.
I just think I get you.
Yeah, well, it's pretty damn intimidating.
Oh, you'd rather be an enigma?
Yeah, maybe. In a romantic way. Um...
- Say, Rick in Casablanca. - A.J.,
it's a clear evening, you don't own the place,
and the Nazis have been defeated.
Yeah, but there is a piano player over there.
Well, who could ignore that opportunity?
Have you ever been serenaded, admiral?
- You sing? - Whenever possible.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a guest vocalist tonight.
May I introduce the song stylings of...
Uh, Meredith Cavanaugh.
You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is still a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by
And when two lovers woo
They still say I love you
On that you can rely
Corporal, when did you convert to Judaism?
Three years ago, sir.
Why?
I didn't have much religious guidance growing up, sir.
My father died when I was young and my mother preached the Bible,
but didn't practise it.
After high school, I ran into an old friend
and he invited me over to a Passover Seder.
And the story resonated with me, sir.
The nature of exile, the need for homeland.
I found myself relating to the value system, sir.
To the tightknit community.
Are these some of the reasons you joined the Marine Corps, corporal?
- They were, sir. - What made you decide to leave?
Because it turned out not to be the case in my platoon, sir.
Were you being harassed? By Corporal Fogel, sir.
When I told him I'd converted, he took it personally.
At first, he was content calling me New Jew.
That soon escalated to the nickname Judas.
Finally, I started getting wakeup calls like "kike-a-doodle-do."
Were you satisfied with Captain McVicker's response
to your complaints, corporal?
I knew there was only so much he could do.
So after a while, I just decided to suck it up.
What changed your mind?
Corporal Fogel himself, sir. He asked me if I'd been circumcised.
- What did you tell him? - It was none of his business.
Did he back off? - No, sir.
He assumed I wasn't. That's when he produced a knife
and informed me he would be willing to help me with my problem.
What happened next, corporal?
I disarmed him and I slammed his face into the bulkhead, sir.
And what did you tell Captain McVicker
when he confronted you about this incident?
That I joined the military to fight Jew-hating extremists,
but not in my own platoon.
Thank you, corporal.
No further questions, sir.
Corporal, did you break your oath to the Marines?
I admit that, sir.
Because of the way you were treated?
Yes, sir.
Then I assume you can relate to the African American
and Asian Marines who encounter similar circumstances?
I can, sir.
What would you say to an African American who deserts
to fight for a democratic Nigeria?
Or a Korean American
who feels obligated to defend the Thirty-Eighth Parallel?
If the situation is warranted, sir.
Do you know of any such cases, corporal?
I don't, sir.
Neither do I, corporal.
Ma'am?
Uh, if I may, I'm Commander Harmon Rabb.
I'm your son's attorney.
Am I that obvious?
Well, to your son, you are. I saw him looking at you in the courtroom.
If I could only get him to talk to me.
Ma'am, I just wanted to say I know why you're here, and l...
I think it's the right thing.
I wanted to encourage you not to give up.
Commander,
would you at least ask him how he can find it in his heart
to forgive Leslie and not me?
When was the last time you spoke to your fiancée?
Excuse me, ma'am?
Leslie Rosenbaum said it was May 27th.
How would you even know about Leslie? I didn't tell you.
Your mother did. She has her number.
I met Leslie after I stopped talking to my mother, sir, before I shipped out.
She'd been in contact with your friends who put them in touch.
Apparently, they've had conversations.
What does she think she's doing?
Addressing her regrets. Reaching out, corporal.
Corporal, did you speak to Leslie Rosenbaum on March 27th?
I did, ma'am.
Was she calling to break off the engagement?
Yes, sir.
Is that the real reason why you deserted?
How long had you been engaged?
Eight months, sir.
It must have been upsetting, Leslie breaking it off while you were at sea.
I was upset about a lot of things.
Is that the news that put you over the edge?
It may have contributed, ma'am.
Why didn't you tell us about it, corporal?
I didn't want Leslie to be dragged into it, sir.
Did it ever occur to you that she might wanna participate of her own free will?
You mean testify?
She wants to take the stand, corporal.
But wouldn't that prove that I left for reasons other than anti-Semitism?
Well, it's a long shot, but we actually think it may help to prove our case.
It wasn't my decision.
You mean you wanted to marry him?
From the day I met him.
But my parents had an issue with Peter's conversion.
When they first brought it up, I ignored them.
I thought they'd get over it.
- But they continued to pressure you? - Yes.
What made you finally give in?
I don't know.
Weakness, I guess.
In the end, I was afraid to stand up to them.
What was it about Maars' conversion that bothered them?
We're Orthodox. Peter converted to Reform Judaism.
It's a lot less rigid.
Could he have converted to Orthodox Judaism?
We talked about it,
but it would have complicated his life in the Marine Corps.
In what way? - He would have had to keep kosher,
and not work on Shabbat, that kind of thing.
Peter didn't think they could accommodate him.
So he resisted?
- Yes. - And you let him go?
Not easily. I called him to say goodbye,
and I couldn't keep myself from talking about stuff.
Anything to keep him on the line, and all he could say was:
"I understand. I understand."
And then finally, there was nothing I could do but hang up.
So I'll see you Saturday?
And Sunday if you like.
Yeah, I like.
Something I can help you with, commander?
Well,
I'd heard you were seeing someone, sir. I assume that she's...
Walk with me.
Her name's Meredith Cavanaugh.
- She's a Shakespearean scholar. - Nice.
She's the brightest, and by far the most perceptive woman
- I've ever dated. - Wow.
There's little that doesn't interest her and damn near nothing she won't try.
She's fearless. Unfortunately, that's the problem.
You've lost me, sir.
Her capacity for expanding herself, it's...
Well, it's becoming an issue.
How's that?
Um...
Here, have a cookie. Uh,
Meredith brought them to me. They're homemade.
Thank you, sir.
Dreadful, aren't they?
See, with the exception of her uncanny instincts about me,
and of course her considerable knowledge of her field,
she's remarkably unskilled, but she doesn't know it.
I mean, I'm falling for a woman who has no sense of her own limitations.
Hmm.
Well, is that, uh, a problem you can overcome in time, sir?
Well, I'm working on it.
Well, I'm sure you'll be successful, admiral, knowing you as I do.
I'd also like to say, sir,
frankly, I'm flattered you feel you can share your personal life with me.
Oh, I only mentioned it because you're involved.
How, sir?
Well, I was talking to Meredith about the staff
and mentioned that you're an aviator and that you owned your own plane.
Yes, sir?
She wanted me to ask you if you'd be interested in teaching her how to fly.
Oh, God.
What is the ultimate moment of truth?
I believe it is the intersection of what you want for yourself
and what is expected of you.
For Corporal Peter Maars,
that moment occurred when he chose to abandon his platoon
because he was unhappy.
Were other Marines aboard that ship faced with personal challenges?
Yes.
Private Keith Bonnard learned that his 18-month-old son
was diagnosed with autism.
Sergeant Andrew Lesculie lost his home in a forest fire.
But only Corporal Maars chose to jump ship
and further insult his country by joining the armed forces of another nation.
And that makes him guilty of desertion under Article 85 a-2
of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Corporal Maars did not leave the Marine Corps
with the intention to avoid hazardous duty
or to shirk important service.
He left because he was victimised
by anti-Semitic sentiment
and he felt he could no longer contribute.
Am I saying that one bigoted man is responsible
for the corporal's departure? No.
The corporal faced a chorus of religious prejudice
from his own mother to the Jewish parents of his fiancée.
Did the corporal join the Israeli Defence Forces
because he liked them better than the Marine Corps?
He did not.
He joined because as a Jew,
he felt unable to serve in our corps.
Oh, Harriet, I don't know why you just didn't call the nurse.
Because at home there won't be a nurse.
I can't believe that I forgot that I was an amputee.
I wanted some more pear,
so I just jumped off the bed like I had two legs.
Well, you did for 30 years.
This is the first time we're talking about this.
Why is that?
I thought you needed time to adjust.
Is that why you wouldn't go to rehab when I was here?
Well, I didn't want you to have to look at my leg before you were ready.
The only thing I would have trouble looking at
is your casket.
Why didn't you say anything?
Before you arrived, I talked to this amputee,
and he said that I should support you in your process, whatever it is.
And I just thought that you were in denial.
It's kind of hard to forget that you lost a limb.
Why did they wrap it like that?
To, uh, mould it so that it fits into a prosthesis.
Does it hurt?
Yeah.
- Phantom pain? - A lot.
Are you frightened?
Worried.
About?
Everything. Just...
I'm worried if I'll ever feel normal again.
Worried if I can provide for us.
Worried about military career. It's gonna end.
You gotta be thinking about these things also.
I'm thinking we'll find a way.
Where's your medal, lieutenant?
It's in the drawer.
You should wear this.
Okay, hold on.
Okay.
- Okay. - I'm okay.
- We're okay. - Yeah.
We're okay.
Oh.
"On the charge and specification of desertion,
this court-martial finds you guilty.
Corporal Peter Maars, United States Marine Corps,
this court-martial sentences you to a dishonourable discharge
and to confinement at hard labour for one year."
Thank you for your service. This court is adjourned.
Sir, ma'am,
thank you.
I think I can handle a year.
It'll give you a chance to think things through.
- Think what through, sir? - Whether or not to go back to Israel.
- Oh, there's never been a question, sir. - That's why he said it.
You didn't just run from the Marine Corps.
You ran from your mother and from your fiancée.
They rejected me, sir. You even said as much.
Well, that was then.
They've worked hard on themselves, corporal.
Hard enough to change their attitudes.
What are you gonna do?
Commander, lieutenant.
The Members gave him a light sentence, sir.
Well, maybe they empathised.
That's where I'm having my problem, sir.
With the Members or the, uh, concept of empathy?
The Members, sir. Their decision was irresponsible and depressing.
Well, let me brighten your day.
Your new orders.
- I'm going to the Seahawk, sir? - You're their new JAG.
I instructed the detailers to slate you as Lieutenant Roberts' replacement.
I guess you were destined for the position after all.
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
- Commander. Sir.
Well, good for you, lieutenant. Consider it a mitzvah.
You don't know what that means, do you?
- Should I, sir? - Well, I do and I'm not Jewish.
- As I told you, sir. It's not... - Excuse me, lieutenant,
but I had some trouble accepting what you told me,
so I checked your service record.
You listed your religion as Methodist.
That would be accurate, sir. But I don't practise that either.
So the only part of our conversation that was untrue is that I'm Jewish.
Why did you announce that you were?
It was a tactic, sir.
Commander Rabb was pressing. It was the way to shut him down.
That seems desperate, considering we were already in the driver's seat.
I was also upset with Corporal Maars.
I thought what he did was rather selfish and immature.
So it was for his benefit too.
Good luck on your reassignment, lieutenant.
Thank you, sir.
It saves me from having to request we never be partnered again.
Commander,
you're not going to reveal this to anyone, are you?
I'm considering it.
Is there anything I can do to influence you to keep it under your hat, sir?
If it were anyone else but you, lieutenant,
I'd suggest that you pray.