CMC Russ Jeter quotes from The Last Ship

The ceremony will be at 0900. We'll have seven guns and the ensigns at half-mast. It'll be a hero's farewell.

He wanted to redeem himself.

Jeter

He never had to.

He gave his life for mine.

Jeter

He gave his life for the mission. And now we're free...

To finish it.

[on video] Is this on? Can I start now?

Yes, sir.

The U.S. Navy is currently on a mission...

CMC Russ Jeter

It's the secretary of the Navy.

...to find the materials for a vaccine to combat the current deadly pandemic. Now, if y... you're viewing this video, you are a part of the new network of facilities in the United States and certain foreign nations which were chosen to produce and distribute the vaccine in the event their mission is successful. In order to protect the security of the labs in the new network, your locations have been kept secret. However, you'll be able to communicate with the civilian command, with each other via secure satellite connection. The codes for that connection have been embedded within the drive that contains this video. These codes have to be guarded at all cost. If... if and when a vaccine arrives...

No one's decoded this yet?

No, sir. We didn't know those encryptions existed until just now.

Find me those labs. Do it quickly.

Yes, sir.

Godspeed.

He's not ready... Not yet, at least.

CMC Russ Jeter

He's come a long way in a short time, Sir.

And I want you to get him the rest of the way there. Be his guide, his preacher, his father, his friend... Whatever he needs.

Jeter

Aye, sir.

CMC Russ Jeter

Captain Meylan's under a lot of pressure.

CAPT Tom Chandler

He was right. I crossed the line.

Jeter

I didn't say he wasn't right. This isn't you. Walking around the ship like you're on a Tiger cruise. Since when did you become a passive observer?

Master Chief...

Jeter

Don't Master Chief me, Goddamn it. You wanted to get away. Good. It's what you did. God knows you of all people needed a break. But for months, the rest of us pressed on. The missions changed, but our commitment never wavered. And although you were always in our minds, when you left, we were broken.

I lost my way, Russ.

Jeter

You never lost your way. You may have turned your back on your calling, but your path was always right in front of you. It led you back to the Nathan James. This is where you belong.

CAPT Mike Slattery

Master Chief, no way Vulture team gets back in time. And they're beat to hell. I need a boarding party.

CMC Russ Jeter

[over ship PA] Attention, all hands. This is your Master Chief. At this very moment, our ship's most capable operators are making their way back from one hell of a fight. But we're not done here. Our Captain needs volunteers to join him in boarding the enemy ship and bringing Cooper, Captain Chandler, and those seeds back in one piece. Anyone willing to lay their lives on the line, muster in the helo bay in five minutes. That is all.