- Tubby: You're goin' to school at Culver Military Academy on a scholarship.
- Tom Allen: Aw, I want a job, not charity.
- Tubby: Well, this ain't charity and a lot nicer guys than you have gone through school on a scholarship.
- Tom Allen: Not me. I'm not goin' to any military school.
- Tubby: Oh, I suppose you wanna go to Vassar. Well, Culver's the kind of a school your dad woulda picked out for ya.
- Tom Allen: You're not gonna dress me up in some monkey school to play tin soldier.
- Capt. Wilson: [Sternly] Are you comfortable now, Mr. Allen?
- Tom Allen: Hm hm.
- Capt. Wilson: What kind of language is that, Mr. Allen?
- Tom Allen: My kind of language.
- Capt. Wilson: Your kind of language doesn't go around here, Mr. Allen. And put a "Sir" on the end of it.
- Bob Randolph: Are you Allen?
- Tom Allen: Yeah, that's right.
- Bob Randolph: Oh, well, um, my name is Randolph. I'm glad to know you.
- Tom Allen: Sure, me too. What's the rest of your handle?
- Bob Randolph: Handle?
- Tom Allen: Your name.
- Bob Randolph: Oh, Robert Randolph the third.
- Tom Allen: Third what?
- Bob Randolph: Third Robert Randolph. You see there was my grandfather, my father and myself.
- Tom Allen: Very cozy. I suppose there's not another guy in the joint with a father and a grandfather.
- Bob Randolph: Well, really. I ...
- Tom Allen: Alright, alright. Where'd ya learn to talk with that mouth full of old bicycle tires.
- Bob Randolph: England. London.
- Tom Allen: What, the schools in England ain't any good?
- Bob Randolph: Why, yes, certainly. You see my father attended school here and...
- Tom Allen: So, what?
- Bob Randolph: Well, he always wanted me to come over.
- Tom Allen: I see. A regular little family party.
- Bob Randolph: Well, yes, I ... well, it is in a way. Uh, why did you come?
- Tom Allen: They told me the roofs don't leak.
- Bob Randolph: Did you want to come?
- Tom Allen: Nope, not very much. Now that I've seen it, I think I was right.
- Bob Randolph: Well, what's wrong with it?
- Tom Allen: I'll tell you all about it over a dish of tea someday, London. Till then, just keep your hair combed.
- Capt. Wharton: You're doing a great service to youth, major.
- Maj. White: What frightens me is the terrible waste. The whole country will suffer if the strength and character of these boys goes to pot. The government has got to take over the problem.
- Capt. Wharton: Put them in the Army?
- Capt. Wharton: Not necessarily. Feed them, clothe them, house them. Give them something to do. Conservation, reforestation, maybe road building. There's still plenty of fight and decency left in those kids out there. but another two years in soup kitchen and they'll be beaten and useless.
- Capt. Wharton: We've all got to pitch in and help.
- Tom Allen: [to Bob] Well, it isn't an alibi, but knockin' around the street gives you a funny slant. The whole setup seems crooked when it's really you who's twisted.
- Tom Allen: [Shows Bob a medal] Here's a Congressional Medal of Honor.
- Bob Randolph: Win it?
- Tom Allen: No, I didn't win it. My father did though.
- Bob Randolph: You should be awfully proud. Your father's one of the country's great.
- Tom Allen: Guess I never looked at it that way. You see, he was killed winning it. I always figured that I'd rather have my father than that medal.
- Bob Randolph: Of course. So would I. So would anyone. My father said there are things worth fighting for. Even dying for.
- Capt. Wilson: You think this military stuff is a waste of time. You resent taking orders. Let me tell you something. You remind me of me.
- Tom Allen: You, sir?
- Capt. Wilson: Yes, me. When I first came here, I hated marching, uniforms, bugles and all the rest of it. I had a chip on my shoulder so big you could put an outboard motor on it. Then I found something out.
- Tom Allen: What, sir?
- Capt. Wilson: Begin to think of this marching stuff not as drills but as an exercise. Figure how to stand and walk properly. Keep your shoulders straight.
- Tom Allen: Couple of months looking for a job and they'll be around again.
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