My definition of integrity is the adherence to moral and ethical principles, the soundness of moral character and above all honesty. The Army Values definition of integrity is to “Do what's right, legally and morally”. It continues saying that integrity is a character you develop by complying with moral principles and that it requires that you say and do nothing that misleads others.
Integrity is something that is instilled upon us at the beginning of basic training. As we progress in our military career, we learn that all Army values, including integrity still apply during off-duty hours and even when we’re not in uniform.We are Soldiers twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and fifty two weeks a year. Integrity is not completely based upon the actions of an individual when everyone else is watching. It also includes the actions taken when we are convinced that no one else is around. During my military career, I have come to learn that you are never truly alone and there is always somebody watching you, even if you don’t see them.
Integrity is being able to admit that you have made a mistake. It also consists of being trustworthy and reliable even when the right thing isn’t exactly the easiest or most common thing to do.Integrity tells a lot about who you are and what kind of soldier you will be. Every soldier should be persistent in keeping their integrity impeccable and unblemished. Integrity is one of the most important abilities we are taught to in the United States Army. You can take it anywhere in the world.
For example, if a Soldier was to get out of the military and seek a good paying civilian job, his chances of getting hired for that job are increased because of our integrity value. Integrity is most definitely a vital factor in ensuring a successful deployment of any unit.Each and every soldier must be able trust each other to accomplish the mission and keep each other safe. This begins at the highest level and trickles all the way down to the lowest level. For example, the Regimental Commander has to trust that the Battalion Commander has the integrity to train and lead his Soldiers to and from combat. Just as the Battalion Commander has to trust that the Company Commanders can do the same at their level.
Company Commanders trust that their subordinate officers, Platoon Leaders and Executive Officers can accomplish the same mission. The same goes for the Non-Commissioner Officer Support Channel.If trust is absent at any level, the unit’s cohesion and readiness is affected. Lying hurts morale and promotes disharmony with in the unit. If a soldier is not truthful and trustworthy then he cannot be depended upon to do his tasks, this in turn causes his supervisors and fellow soldiers to keep an extra watch on him. This takes time and resources away from other important tasks that could have been accomplished.
It also causes resentment and invites other unwelcome negative feelings that are detrimental to the work environment. When a unit is deployed down range integrity cannot be more important.Each and every Soldier must be able to depend on their fellow comrades to do the right thing and ensure everyone’s safety. Every job and task must be treated with the highest priority and nothing can be overlooked. Units down range have very little to no room for error and each member of these units must be adamant in their duties to ensure that everything is done correctly. As a Non Commissioned Officer and Technical Supply NCO my integrity must never be questioned.
I’m not only responsible for millions of dollars’ worth of aircraft parts and equipment, I am also entrusted to lead and supervise several soldiers in my section.My supervisors should never have to doubt my abilities. The soldiers under my counsel should never have to second guess my capacity to lead them and to do what is right. I should always set the right example and show that I can be trusted to accomplish the tasks given to me and take care of my fellow soldiers. Leading by example is one of the most important duties for a Non-Commissioned Officer. The Creed of Non-Commissioned Officers states that “all soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership, I will provide that leadership”.
In order for me to truly uphold the standards of the creed, I must maintain a level of immaculate integrity.Only by doing so will my soldiers receive the proper guidance and leadership they so rightly deserve to become the future leaders our Unit and this Army greatly needs. Overall, I believe that integrity is the most important of the Army Values. It is the foundation on which the other values are built and the main component that makes us who we are. Having integrity is what separates our great nation from the very enemies that we are fighting against.
Without integrity we could not have soldiers, an army or even a nation to defend. Integrity is what drives us to accomplish the mission and reason why we continue fighting the good fight.
