Corps, First Bugler.''
Prewitt, l always make it a policy
to talk to my new men.
Now, l have a fine, smooth-running outfit.
lf l like a soldier, he can become
a non-commissioned officer quickly.
But he has to show me
that he's got it on the ball.
What trouble were you in,
in the Bugle Corps?
No trouble, sir.
What made you transfer out, then?
lt was a personal matter.
-Something you wanted to ask, Sergeant?
-Why, yes, sir.
Prewitt, you was a corporal
in the Bugle Corps.
You took a bust to buck private
to transfer to an infantry outfit. Why?
Because you like to hike, or was it
because you couldn't stand to bugle?
lt was a personal matter.
That's up to the Company Commander
to decide.
Well?
l was First Bugler for two years.
The Top Kick had a friend
who transferred in from another outfit.
The next day he was made
First Bugler over me.
l was a better bugler.
And you asked out on account of that?
Maybe it ain't sensible,
but that's the reason.
His feelings were hurt.
Kids they send us now!
We'll get your stripes back for you,
maybe an extra one for good measure.
-Know why you're assigned to G Company?
-No, sir.
l pulled a few strings. l'm the regimental
boxing coach, you know.
Yes, sir.
l saw your fight with Connors in the Bowl
year before last. You should have won.
Thank you, sir.
Our regiment got beaten in the finals
last December, but l mean to win this year.
All l've needed is a top middleweight.
l'm sorry, sir. l quit fighting.
Quit fighting? When? What for?
Well, over a year ago.
Maybe you heard about what happened
with Dixie Wells?
-You mean that fellow that got hurt?
-Yes, sir.
Yes, l heard about that. lt's too bad.
l can understand how you feel,
but those things happen.
That's why l decided l would quit, sir.
You might as well say stop war
because one man got killed.
Our fighting programme
is the best morale builder we have.
l've got a mighty sour company bugler.
How'd you like the job?
Not if it means fighting.
Looks to me as if you're trying to acquire
a reputation as a lone wolf.
You should know that in the Army
it's not the individual that counts.
You'll find that we won't put
any pressure on you in my outfit.
Just don't make any mistakes in it,
that's all.
l'm going to town.
Anything else, Sergeant?
Company fund report's due tomorrow.
-You make it out. ls that all?
-No, sir.
Whatever it is, you fix it up.
lf anything has to go in this afternoon,
sign my name.
-l won't be back.
-Yes, sir.
He'd strangle in his own spit
if l wasn't here to swab his throat out.
Come on.
You been in the Army what now?
Five years? Five and a half?
Yeah.
Don't you think it's about time
you got smart?
You know what you did just now,
turning down Dynamite Holmes?
You put your head in the noose.
Things are soft for a boxer in this outfit.
Otherwise, you better know how to soldier.
l can soldier with any man.
This place is getting to be like
the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
-Who's that?
-She's Captain Holmes' wife.
You'll fight, Prewitt, because
Captain Holmes wants to be Major Holmes.
He's got an idea he'll make it
if he gets a winning team.
lf you don't do it for him, do it for me.
'Cause my job is to keep him happy, see?
More he's happy, the less he bothers me,
and the better l run this company.
So, we know where we stand,
don't we, kid?
l know where l stand.
A man don't go his own way he's nothing.
Maybe back in the days of the pioneers
a man could go his own way.
But today, you got to play ball.
Leva!
Can't l once find you in the supply room
working with both hands?
l can't do no better
on what you people pay me.
Draw this man some supplies.
G Company squad room is on the top floor.
Take your bags then come here.
Leva will help you lug your stuff upstairs.
Save you making four or five trips.
Thanks.
l just hate to see energy wasted.
Besides, you'll be needing yours.
Looks like a good man.
l know his type. He's a