Behind Enemy Lines2001

[Admiral Reigart receives Chris Burnett's resignation letter, with reservations]

Admiral Reigart:
Are you gonna fly commercial jets? Troll the friendly skies in a bus? You've had an interesting career, Lieutenant. I remember when you came on board. Smart as a whip, tons of potential.

Chris Burnett:
Thank you, sir.

Reigart:
And then, on September 23rd, you received a non-punitive letter of caution for disorderly behavior at the China Fleet Club in Hong Kong. Another letter a month later for something involving Chinese New Year at Pattaya Beach in Thailand. One can only imagine what that was. Just out of curiosity, Lieutenant, what happened to you?

Burnett:
Sir, I signed up to be a fighter pilot. I didn't wanna be a cop. I certainly didn't wanna be a cop walkin' the beat in a neighborhood no one cares about. That and the routine on the ship kinda wore me out.

Reigart:
The routine?

Burnett:
The routine.

Reigart:
What you don't know from experience is that the routine, the systems checks, the drills, the maintaining of discipline, that's what you do to prepare for war.

Burnett:
We're not at war, sir.

Reigart:
Yes, we are. Unless we're parked in San Diego Bay, you're at war every time you step on this boat. You understand that?

Burnett:
No, sir, I do not understand. If we're at war, why don't we act like it? 'Cos as far as I can tell, we go out, we fly around and we come back. Maybe we're pretending we're in the middle of the fight, but we're not fighting, we're watching.

Reigart:
You should be glad you're not in a fight, Lieutenant. Because with your attitude, you wouldn't last long.

Burnett:
Sir, with all due respect, I've given the Navy seven good years. I think I've served my country.

Reigart:
You wouldn't know the FIRST thing about serving your country!!! You have two weeks remaining on this tour. You will serve them in a manner befitting a naval officer. I'll keep your letter in my pocket. At the end of those two weeks, you be on your way. [shuffles papers and stashes them away. looks back at Burnett] You're dismissed, mister.