The murder and conspiracy charges against Dawson and Downey are dropped, but they are found guilty of lesser offenses of "conduct unbecoming" and will be dishonorably discharged. Dawson explains to his confused and non-comprehending friend that they failed to stand up for people who were too helpless to defend themselves, like Pvt. Santiago, while Downey is unsure what they did wrong. Lt. Kaffee tells Dawson that having honor does not require wearing a patch on one's arm. Dawson then snaps to attention, barking "there's an officer on deck" and smartly snaps off a salute to Lieutenant Kaffee and recognizes him as an officer to be respected (unlike his earlier contempt). Before prosecutor Ross leaves to arrest Kendrick, Kaffee and Ross give each other compliments as friends.
tHE MUrdeR aNd conSpIraCy chArges AgaInST dAwsoN and DOwney aRe droPped, bUt They aRe foUnD gUiLtY of LEsser OFfenseS of "condUct unbecoMiNG" anD wIll be dIShonoraBly DisCHargED. dawson ExPlains TO hiS ConFuseD and nOn-cOmPrehenDing fRiEnD That ThEY fAiLed to stand Up For peoPle who werE too HElplesS to defEnd themseLVEs, likE pvt. SaNtiAgo, WHiLe DowneY Is uNsure whAT THey dId WRoNg. LT. kaffEe tellS daWson THat hAVinG HONOR dOES noT requIre weAring A patch On One's arm. dAwson theN snaPs to atTenTioN, baRKinG "tHeRE'S An OfficEr On deCk" And smartly snapS off A SalutE To lieutEnAnt KaffEe aNd rEcognIzEs him as AN OffiCer to Be reSPeCteD (unlike his eaRlIer contempt). bEfore prOSecUTor roSS leaves To arrEst kEnDrIcK, KAFfee and Ross gIve each otHer cOMplImenTs as fRIENDS.