A Review of the Film "A Few Good Men"

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Courtroom: In the Film, A Few Good Men – A Review
Introduction
In the film, A Few Good Men, Jonathan Kendrick Daniel Kaffe, known for his outstanding plea-bargaining record, is defending two US Marines charged with killing a fellow officer at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. Joanne Galloway of Internal Affairs convinces Kaffe that the accused marines were probably carrying out an order and, therefore, not guilty of the three charges of murder, conspiracy to murder, and conduct unbecoming of the US Marine Corps. Against all odds, including the death of Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Markinson and the likelihood of being charged for accusing a high military ranking official, Kaffe calls Jessup to the stand. Col. Nathan R. Jessup is a fast-rising officer and is poised to take over the role of operations in the National Security Council. He is a firm believer in the Marine Corps' unspoken code, including the Code Red, and takes pride in the military culture of Americans' rank, orders, and protection.
Did Col. Jessup order the Code Red that caused the death of a Marine against all military rules, principles, and ethics?
In the last court scene (02:07:00), Colonel Jessup said he ordered the Code Red that caused the death of Private William Santiago. This is not only evident in his emotionally-charged admission, but in the fact that he was the one who proposed and made an argument for Santiago not to be transferred. In his opinion, Santiago needed to be trained in the "American way," and removing him from the base would amount to putting American lives in danger. Even after his second, Colonel Markinson insisted that it was not a good idea, an objection that caused him to run for his life and eventually commit suicide for being unable to stop Private Santiago's death. However, what is profound is how Col. Jessup takes pride in the way he handles his base or runs his unit. He comes out as a person who would give his life to protect the military way of life, especially the unspoken code of conduct, such as the efficacy and importance of Code Red. Thus, this causes the next question.
Was he maintaining his unit's discipline, courage, and physical strength to defend freedom literally at the frontline of communism?
Col. Jessup's actions can be perceived as a means to improve or strengthen his team's capabilities. However, if he was as passionate and loyal to the military code of conduct the same way he was passionate about the unspoken code, then it would have come to his attention that Private Santiago was struggling for reasons that the doctor had already documented. Further, information about his rising star makes the situation complicated because letting Private Santiago off the island could have somehow, in his unsaid view, tarnished his excellent name stint in service. Further, Private Santiago has broken all the rules, more than once, that would have warranted a Code Red, as testified by Corporal Barnes. But it was only after he had communicated with NIS that a Code Red became necessary. In essence, Col. Jessup was not maintaining his unit's discipline, courage, and physical strength. Rather, he was protecting his interests in career prospects.
Was the order illegal when balanced...