Men of Honor (2000)

Cuba Gooding Jr.: Chief Carl Brashear

Photos 

Quotes 

• Carl Brashear : Forgive me sir, but to me, the Navy isn't a business. It's an organization of people who represent the finest aspects of our nation. We have many traditions. In my career, I have encountered most of them. Some are good, some not so good. I would, however not be here today were it not for our greatest tradition of all.

  Captain Hanks : And what would that be, Chief Brashear?"

  Carl Brashear : " Honor, sir"

• [Sunday regards a picture of Carl's late father] 

  Billy Sunday : What the hell did he ever say to make you try so hard?

  Carl Brashear : Be the best.

  Billy Sunday : Well, you are.

• Jo : Why do you want this so bad?

  Carl Brashear : Because they said I couldn't have it.

• Carl Brashear : Captain Hanks, I have spent most of my life in the Navy trying only to succeed. However, my quest has come at a great personal loss to those who love me. They too have made sacrifices. They too have endured great pains to support me. If I walk these twelve steps today, reinstate me to active duty. Give me my career back, let me finish it and go home in peace.

• Carl Brashear : Why are you doing all this?

  Billy Sunday : To piss people off.

• Billy Sunday : Think you deserve to be here, don't ya? Fraternizing among navy men? Think you're as good as they are? How 'bout me, cookie? You better than me?

  Carl Brashear : You're damn right I am!

• Jo : Don't you see? I'm not like you. The things I want...

  [Jo sighs and takes Carl's hand] 

  Jo : The things I want are smaller. If I just work hard and keep my head down...

  Carl Brashear : Your whole life will pass you by.

• Carl Brashear : Sir, you may not remember me but we served together in the South Pacific.

  Billy Sunday : Oh Yeah, I remember you now... So What's for Chow Cookie?

  Carl Brashear : Sir I am reporting here for diving school!

  Billy Sunday : I sure hope your food is better than the last cook's. Last cook's food could kill a man's dog.

• Billy Sunday : [Billy douses Carl with water wile he's sleeping]  Rise and shine, cookie. Time for trainin'.

  [Carl spits out water, he next is seen running out of the cabin but Billy sprays him with a water hose] 

  Billy Sunday : Are you familiar with the principle of Boyle's Law?

  Carl Brashear : [on the ground all wet]  The what?

  [Billy sprays him again] 

  Billy Sunday : I didn't hear you're answer.

  [he sprays Carl again] 

  Billy Sunday : Come on, cookie. Get up.

  [he picks up Carl and drags him over to a barrel filled with water] 

  Billy Sunday : Boyle's Law states that, at a constant temperature, the volume of a confined ideal gas varies inversely with it's pressure!

  [he dunks Carls head in] 

  Billy Sunday : Now why is this law important in divin'?

  Carl Brashear : I don't know, Chief!

  Billy Sunday : [continues to dunk his head as he speaks]  You don't know and you ain't ever gonna know, 'cause you're just some dumb dirt nigger from Podunk! I know you. Your sweet smell hung in every bunk and Goddamn shack I ever lived in. Your nigger face stared at me every time we had to leave 'cause your daddy could farm it cheaper then mine. Mine drank himself into a $7 casket, but that ain't ever gonna happen to me because I'm a master diver! And maybe you'll remember that next time you imply we got *anything* in common! You read me, cookie?

  [Carl coughs up water]