It is noticeable that Lt Kendrick takes an instant dislike to Kaffee when he inspects the Marines' barracks. Was it just that he resented the investigation or was it deeper than that? Was it something about Kaffee's manner that just rubbed him?
shareMost of the marines seemed to hate Kaffee's guts on instinct. I think it was the fact that he wasn't on the front lines. This wasn't a "real" navy man, he was some white collar pencil-pusher who didn't understand real life outside of his tailored suits and tennis courts. That kind of thing. It's that attitude that Kaffee exploits during Jessup's examination.
shareYeah, here comes the "desk guy" investigating and meddling in our business.
shareWe may assume, in hindsight I suppose, that Kendrick is hostile because he KNOWS something went wrong, that somebody is going to have to pay for; it also represents a key flaw in Kendrick's character that he cannot hide his resentment of another branch's officers investigating his unit. The film is all about character flaws that potentially undermine the characters, that have led indirectly to Santiago's death, and directly lead to Jessup's and Kendrick's downfall; Kaffey's own character flaws, his fear of failure, the burden he carries of his father's memory, and his own refusal to fully commit to his cases, are overcome by his character, resulting in his success at revealing the truth behind the incident.
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