- [after the Army JAG officer assigned to be Harm's second chair commandeers the questioning of their client]
- Cmdr. Harmon Rabb, Jr.: I hope you don't mind me talking while you interrupted.
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: I just got off the phone with the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney's Office. Care to venture a guess about who we talked about?
- Lt. Cmdr. Bud Roberts: Me, sir?
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: You, sir. He informed me the Commonwealth of Virginia is charging you with assault.
- Lt. Cmdr. Bud Roberts: So I've heard, sir.
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: So you've heard? Were you ever going to tell me?
- Lt. Cmdr. Bud Roberts: I didn't want to burden you with my personal problems, General.
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: A JAG officer brawling in public is not a "personal problem", Commander Roberts. When he's in uniform under my command, it's my problem. Did you know about this?
- Cmdr. Sturgis Turner: No, sir.
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: Did you attack this civilian?
- Lt. Cmdr. Bud Roberts: Yes and no, sir. Uh, he attacked my brother with a shoe, and I was trying...
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: A-a shoe?
- Lt. Cmdr. Bud Roberts: Yes, sir, a-a-a heavy shoe: a wing-tipped Oxford.
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: Why?
- Lt. Cmdr. Bud Roberts: The gentleman had said some disparaging remarks about the military. My brother Mikey's a midshipman at the Academy. He took offense, heated words were exchanged, and...
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: So you hit a wing-tip wielding history teacher because he insulted the Navy?
- Lt. Cmdr. Bud Roberts: Well, not just the Navy, sir. The Marine Corps, as well.
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: Are you trying to manipulate me, Commander?
- Lt. Cmdr. Bud Roberts: No, sir.
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: If you're convicted, your naval career is over. You know that.
- Lt. Cmdr. Bud Roberts: I expect to be acquitted, sir.
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: [to Sturgis] You're a member of the Virginia Bar, Commander. You'll volunteer as defense counsel.
- Cmdr. Sturgis Turner: Aye aye, sir.
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: Make this go away.
- Cmdr. Sturgis Turner: Do my best, sir.
- Maj. Gen. Gordon 'Biff' Cresswell: After the civilians are done with you, Commander Roberts, it'll be my turn.