Written by Mr. Mouseburger 11th Jan 2007
Kindly submitted by Servo
Feeling torn over his obligations to the Government and the family of PFC William Santiago and his loyalty to Colonel Nathan Jessep, Lt. Col Markinson writes a letter to the family of Santiago, expressing his sorrow over what had happened. He goes on to admit that if he was stronger, he could have intervened and stopped what had happened to Santiago. Alas, he wasn't strong enough though, and Santiago was murdered.
Markinson is caught between a rock and a hard place; he is about to be put on the stand to testify that Jessep ordered the "Code Red" on Santiago. Unable to resolve this conflict, Markinson puts on his dress uniform, takes out his gun, and commits suicide.
It should also be noted that Markinson could get in very hot water testifying about his boss, as if Jessop is not found to be guilty, they could all have a very sorry future (it's pretty much a black stain on their careers).
I don't think 'own weapon' belongs here.
Was this a Head Shot?
Hard to say, it is off camera, but i think we are made to assume that he puts his gun to his head.
It actually cuts away at the moment he fires, but he is clearly seen putting the gun into his mouth before it cuts away.
Welcome MajorBaxter! Good to have you on-board.
Shot needs to be changed to Head Shot, Own Weapon maybe (although suicide probably nullifies that one) and possibly Offscreen Killing (the film cuts to the next scene, with a gun shot heard against the thunder outside the window).