An Officer and a Gentleman

"[to the newly arrived recruits] I know why most of you are here; we weren't born yesterday. Before you get to join United Airlines and sell them what we teach, you gotta give the Navy six years of your life! Lots of things can happen in six years, including another war. And if any of you are too peace-loving to dump napalm on an enemy village where there MIGHT be women and children, that's what I'm here to discover...! I expect to lose half of you before I'm finished. I will use every means necessary — fair and unfair — to trip you up, to expose your weaknesses...as a potential aviator, and as a human being. The prize at the other end is a flight education worth $1 million! But first, you gotta get past ME."

"[to the newly-arrived male recruits] Not all the obstacles that can trip you up are on this base. Let me tell you something about the local girls. Ever since there's been a base here, there's been what you'd call the Puget Sound Debs. The poor girls come across the sound on the ferry every weekend with just one thing in mind, and that's to marry themselves a naval aviator. A Puget Deb will tell you, "Don't you worry about contraceptives. I've got that all taken care of." Don't believe it, sweet pea. A Puget Deb will do anything and say anything to trap you. I know this sounds silly, especially in this so-called modern age, but you scuzzy college pukes should watch out, because they're out there, and you, sweet peas, are the answer to their dream!"

"Life gave him nothing, except the courage to win... and a woman to love."

"It will lift you up where you belong."

"Richard Gere - Zack Mayo"

"Debra Winger - Paula Pokrifki"

"David Keith - Sid Worley"

"Robert Loggia - Byron Mayo"

"Lisa Blount - Lynette Pomeroy"

"Lisa Eilbacher - Casey Seegar"

"Louis Gossett, Jr. - GySgt. Emil Foley"

"Tony Plana - Emiliano Della Serra"

"Harold Sylvester - Perryman"

"David Caruso - Topper Daniels"

"Victor French - Joe Pokrifki"

"Grace Zabriskie - Esther Pokrifki"

"Ed Begley, Jr. - Altitude Chamber Instructor (voice)"