16 quotes
The Value of Heroism in Service
Taglines
You don't have to be a hero to do this job. But it helps.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Recognition of Bravery in Combat
COL Reed
You the guy in the flaming car, Sergeant James?
SFC William James
Afternoon, sir. Uh, yes, sir.
COL Reed
Well, that's just hot shit. You're a wild man, you know that?
SFC William James
Uh, yes, sir.
COL Reed
He's a wild man. You know that? I want to shake your hand.
SFC William James
Thank you, sir.
COL Reed
Yeah. How many bombs have you disarmed?
SFC William James
Uh, I'm not quite sure.
COL Reed
Sergeant?
SFC William James
Yes, sir.
COL Reed
I asked you a question.
SFC William James
Eight hundred seventy-three, sir.
COL Reed
Eight hundred! And seventy-three. Eight hundred! And seventy-three. That's just hot shit. Eight hundred and seventy-three.
SFC William James
Counting today, sir, yes.
COL Reed
That's gotta be a record. What's the best way to... go about disarming one of these things?
SFC William James
The way you don't die, sir.
COL Reed
That's a good one. That's spoken like a wild man. That's good.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Military Backgrounds and Personal Perspectives
SGT J.T. Sanborn
So you're a Ranger, huh?
SFC William James
Yeah.
SGT J.T. Sanborn
I spent seven years in intelligence before coming to EOD. We ran missions through the worst shitholes you can imagine. So, I'm pretty sure I can figure out a redneck piece of trailer trash like you.
SFC William James
Looks like you're on the track. See you out there, man.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Evolution of Love and Attachment
Sergeant First Class William James
You love playing with that. You love playing with all your stuffed animals. You love your Mommy, your Daddy. You love your pajamas. You love everything, don't ya? Yea. But you know what, buddy? As you get older, some of the things you love might not seem so special anymore. Like your Jack-in-a-Box. Maybe you'll realize it's just a piece of tin and a stuffed animal. And then you forget the few things you really love. And by the time you get to my age, maybe it's only one or two things. With me, I think it's one.
[to his son]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Addictive Nature of War
Taglines
War is a drug.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Uncertainty in the Face of Danger
SGT J.T. Sanborn
Are you within 100 meters of the IED?
SFC William James
Hell I don't know Sanborn, I'll tell you when I’m on top of it.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Reflections on Danger and Survival
Sergeant First Class William James
This box is full of stuff that almost killed me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Futility of Military Preparedness in Iraq
SPC Owen Eldridge
Aren't you glad the Army has all these tanks parked here? Just in case the Russians come and we have to have a big tank battle?
SGT J.T. Sanborn
I'd rather be on the side with the tanks, just in case, than not have them.
SPC Owen Eldridge
Yeah, but they don't do anything. I mean, anyone comes alongside a Humvee, we're dead. Anybody even looks at you funny, we're dead. Pretty much the bottom line is, if you're in Iraq, you're dead. How's a fucking tank supposed to stop that?
SGT J.T. Sanborn
Would you shut the fuck up, Owen?
SPC Owen Eldridge
Sorry. Just trying to scare the new guy.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Facing Mortality in Combat
SGT J.T. Sanborn
I'm not ready to die, James.
SFC William James
Well, you're not going to die out here, bro.
SGT J.T. Sanborn
Another two inches? Shrapnel zings by; slices my throat. I'll bleed out like a pig in the sand; nobody'll give a shit. I mean my parents? They'll care, but they don't count, man. Who else? I don't even have a son.
SFC William James
Well, you're gonna have plenty of time for that, amigo.
SGT J.T. Sanborn
No, man. I'm done. I want a son. I want a little boy, Will. I mean, how do you do it, you know? Take the risk?
SFC William James
I don't know. I guess I don't think about it.
SGT J.T. Sanborn
But you realize every time you suit up, every time we go out, it's life or death. You roll the dice, and you deal with it. You recognize that don't you?
SFC William James
Yeah... Yeah, I do. But I don't know why. I don't know, J.T. You know why I'm a the way that I am?
[sighs]
SGT J.T. Sanborn
No, I don't.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Awareness in Intense Situations
Taglines
You'll know when you're in it.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tools and Tensions in Combat Situations
Contractor Team Leader
This is the wrench man.
SFC William James
Hello wrench man.
SGT J.T. Sanborn
You know you can shoot people out here... You don't have to throw a wrench.
Contractor Feisal
Fuck off!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Decisive Action Under Pressure
Taglines
Cut the red wire.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Comfort in the Face of Danger
Sergeant First Class William James
There's enough bang in there to blow us all to Jesus. If I'm gonna die, I want to die comfortable.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Humor Amidst Tension in The Hurt Locker
SGT J.T. Sanborn
I can't get it in.
SGT Matt Thompson
What do you mean you can't get it in? Pretend it's your dick.
SGT J.T. Sanborn
How about I pretend it's your dick?
SGT Matt Thompson
Well in that case you'll never get it in.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Question of Discretion and Curiosity
Camp Liberty gate sentry
What were you doing out there?
[after catching James coming back into the camp after having snuck out]
SFC William James
Visiting a whorehouse.
Camp Liberty gate sentry
Okay. If I let you back in, will you tell me where it is exactly?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning Resourcefulness in a Crisis
Contractor Team Leader
We have a flat tire. Can you help us?
SFC William James
Sure, yeah. Do you have spares?
Contractor Team Leader
We have spares, but we've used up our wrench.
SFC William James
How do you use up a wrench?
Contractor Team Leader
Well, uh, see the guy over there, with the red thing on his head? Well he threw it at someone.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.