This man has usurped authority and ignored my personal directives for over a week. Why,...

Maj. Malcolm A. Powers: This man has usurped authority and ignored my personal directives for over a week. Why, Lieutenant? Lieutenant M.R. Ring: Sir, I thought the training exercise was... Maj. Malcolm A. Powers: You think too much and act too little. You are supposed to be an officer. Now look that word up in your platoon leader's handbook. [to Highway] Maj. Malcolm A. Powers: Who gave you permission to deviate from the training schedule? Highway: I needed to evaluate my men, sir. Maj. Malcolm A. Powers: They're not your men, you self-centered, egocentric, son-of-a-bitch! They're the United States Marine Corps men! The Second Division's men! The Eighth Marine Regiment's men! In other words, they're MY men and SO ARE YOU, GET IT? Highway: The only thing I'll get is my head shot off if I go into a hot landing zone with a platoon that doesn't know it's job. Maj. Malcolm A. Powers: You will follow my training program to the letter. No questions asked. Highway: You go into combat tomorrow and you'll plant half those men. Maj. Malcolm A. Powers: You did it on your own, didn't you? Highway: I can't fix it if I don't know what's broken. Maj. Malcolm A. Powers: Well, you make it easy. [pick up the phone] Lieutenant M.R. Ring: Sir, I gave the Gunny permission to freelance his, I mean, the men, sir. Maj. Malcolm A. Powers: [slams down the phone] Wait outside, Ring. [to Highway] Maj. Malcolm A. Powers: I'm going to run you out of the corps, Highway. And you know what's funny? You're going to do all the work. Sooner or later you'll disregard procedure, disobey an order, or just get drunk. You can't help it. You're too old, too prideful, too stupid to change. I'm going to enjoy seeing you fall, Highway. Now get out and send in that idiot, Ring. Highway: [leaves office and speaks to Lt Ring] He wants to see you, Lieutenant. Lieutenant M.R. Ring: Sorry. Highway: No reason to be. Lieutenant? Recon!