The Pentagon Wars (1998 TV Movie)

John C. McGinley: Colonel J.D. Bock

Quotes 

• Major Sayers : The Brits did a study on aluminum.

  Col. J.D. Bock : That would be the same aluminum sheathing used on the Bradley, sir.

  Major Sayers : When hit by a shell, it has a tendency to burn, and when it burns it gives off a toxic gas.

  Major General Partridge : Goddamnit! We fought a revolution so we wouldn't have to pay any attention to the fucking British!

• Major General Partridge : [reading]  "The characterization noted in your draft, at best represents a serious misunderstanding of my concerns, especially in connection with a vehicle as flawed as the Bradley. As noted in my original report..."

  [laughs bitterly] 

  Major General Partridge : Jesus Christ! Who did this fucking thing go to?

  Col. J.D. Bock : The distribution page listed 198 names.

  Major General Partridge : COURT-MARTIAL THE SON OF A BITCH! LOCK HIM UP NOW!

  Col. J.D. Bock : Uh, we can't.

  Major General Partridge : WE SURE AS HELL CAN!

  Major Sayers : Burton's playing by the rules. His report was classified. He submitted it to you, you revised it, and sent it back to him. He wrote a memo on your revision which, in accordance with regulations, can be given to anyone involved with the Bradley, sir. In this case, 198 people!

  Major General Partridge : [after a shocked pause]  I will fucking kill him... I will filet him... I will draw and quarter him, I'll stick his head in a vice...!

  Col. J.D. Bock : We can't touch him, sir. It's by the book.

  Major General Partridge : Then you go back and find something in the goddamn book that will help me fry the little son of a bitch!

  [Partridge's aide enters] 

  Major General Partridge : What?

  Partridge's Aide : Sir, the Washington Post is on the phone.

  Col. J.D. Bock : Wow, that was fast. Leaks usually don't get to them 'til after lunch.

• [Burton just destroryed a door in a test] 

  Lt. Colonel James Burton : I'll buy the army a new goddamn door.

  Col. J.D. Bock : You can't afford a door like that; do you see what it stood up to?

  Lt. Colonel James Burton : Exactly! Some SPITBALL from Romania!

• Col. J.D. Bock : You wrecked a door?

  Lt. Colonel James Burton : Colonel, the ammunition that was used in the last test on Bradley is the same as we used on this door - Romania, arguably the most inefficient ammunition on the world. No wonder the Bradley came through with flying colors.

  Col. J.D. Bock : Well, this is very serious.

  Lt. Colonel James Burton : It is.

  Col. J.D. Bock : Yes, you've detroyed a door.

  Lt. Colonel James Burton : Colonel, we're talking about a test on an armored personnel carrier, a vehicle that will carry soldiers into armed combat.

  Col. J.D. Bock : Right, but this door is property of the United States government. I assume you knew that.

  Lt. Colonel James Burton : The shell barely penetrated the door.

  Col. J.D. Bock : Okay, but now it's all bent out of shape. How are you going to get it back on its hinges?

  Lt. Colonel James Burton : Right now I'm really not worried about putting it back on its hinges.

  Col. J.D. Bock : Yes, but this door protects our ammunition.

  Lt. Colonel James Burton : The ammunition doesn't work.

  Col. J.D. Bock : But we need the ammunition for our tests.