Adm. Dean Winslow Quotes in Down Periscope (1996)

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: [Meeting Winslow after being assigned to command the Stingray] Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Admiral Winslow.

Adm. Dean Winslow: Certainly, Captain. Take a seat.

[Both sit down]

Adm. Dean Winslow: So, how do you like your boat?

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: It's a complete piece of...

[Sees Winslow's stern look]

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: ...Antiquated equipment, sir. I've devoted a good portion of my life to getting my own boat. I was wondering why the Navy chose to embarrass me this way.

Adm. Dean Winslow: No embarassment intended, Captain. You've been chosen for a specific mission.

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: To turn her into a museum, sir? The Wonderful World of Corrosion?

Adm. Dean Winslow: Hardly.

[Hands Dodge a Classified folder with recon pictures inside. Dodge looks at the pictures as Winslow speaks]

Adm. Dean Winslow: These are some recent satellite photos of the Russian naval bases at Petropavlovsk and Vladivostok. That's where the Russians have their diesel sub fleet, they're in dock there. But each week, there are fewer, because they're selling them off like hot cakes. To countries like Iraq, Iran, and Libya, to name a few.

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: With all due respect, sir, one American nuclear attack sub could easily defeat several diesels.

Adm. Dean Winslow: In a conventional battle, certainly that's true. But what if you had one renegade diesel captain that decided to - bam! - hit us without warning or cause. Like a terrorist attempting to get a nuclear warhead into one of our harbors? You think we could catch and kill a bogey like that in time?

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: Absolutely, sir.

Adm. Dean Winslow: Well, the Department of Defense and most of the Admiralty, they would agree with you. But, me, personally, I'd like to know for sure. That's why you are going to clean up the Stingray and take her out off the Atlantic coast for a series of war games. One rebel diesel against the US nuclear navy. Come on.

[Takes Dodge to a map]

Adm. Dean Winslow: Now, first you're going to attempt to invade Charleston Harbor. Now, if you are lucky enough to evade further pursuit, you are going to try to sink shipping right here at the naval base in Norfolk. Simulated, of course. So, what do you think, Mr. Dodge?

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: I think I'm going to get my ass kicked, sir.

Adm. Dean Winslow: Oh, don't think like that! Damn it to hell, don't go by the book, think like a pirate! I want a man with a tattoo on his dick! Have I got the right man?

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: By a strange coincidance, you do, sir. But sir, this mission you are giving is... close to impossible... If I pull this off, that is, take both ports, I would like command of my own nuclear sub.

Adm. Dean Winslow: Setting terms, now?

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: No, sir. But, without a command, once this exercise is over, I'm heading straight for a desk job, which means I'm out of the Navy.

Adm. Dean Winslow: I can't make you any guarantees, Dodge, but here's what I'll do. I'll give you two live torpedoes, and I'll set a dummy ship in Norfolk harbor. If I see that baby go up, then we'll talk about your boat.

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: Thank you, sir.

Adm. Dean Winslow: [after having heard about Dodge's "execution" of Pascal] He made him *walk the plank*?

Adm. Dean Winslow: [the Stingray returns from its successful war game. The crew presents to Winslow] Welcome home, captain. You certainly pushed my order to the breaking point.

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: Thank you, sir. I mean, if that's a compliment.

Adm. Dean Winslow: However, given the circumstances, I will not be able to give you your own Los Angeles class nuclear submarine.

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: [Face shows some disappointment] Yes, sir.

Adm. Dean Winslow: [Smiles] You'll instead be given a new Seawolf class nuclear submarine and will attend its launching on Friday. And you'll also be given a proper crew, one commensurate with your tactical and leadership abilities.

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: Thank you very much, sir, but respectfully, I'll have to decline.

Adm. Dean Winslow: Decline?

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: I would not be in line for such a promotion without the help of my present crew. I cannot, in good conscience, accept another command without them.

Adm. Dean Winslow: Still setting terms, huh, Dodge?

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: Just respectfully requesting, sir.

Adm. Dean Winslow: Well, at least you got my son to face forward.

[Stephanek looks embarrassed, the rest of the crew snickers]

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: Your son? Stepanek, sir?

Adm. Dean Winslow: Yes, it's his mother's name. His salute still leaves something to be desired.

Lt. Cmdr Dodge: We'll work on that, sir.

Adm. Dean Winslow: You do that, Commander!

[Dodge and Winslow salute each other]

Adm. Dean Winslow: [after Dodge has "taken" Charleston] Chalk one up for the Diesel Navy!

Rear Admiral Yancy Graham: [Approaching Winslow after Dodge wins the war game] Sir, this entire exercise is invalid! Dodge left the containment area...

Adm. Dean Winslow: After you had narrowed it without proper authorization.

Rear Admiral Yancy Graham: He ignored a direct order!

Adm. Dean Winslow: Oh, stow it, Yancy! He had higher orders. Oh, and you can forget about that third star.

[Smiles and walks away]