According to dictionary. com, integrity is “the adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. ” According to the Army Values, the definition of integrity is to do what’s right, legally and morally.
It continues to say that integrity is a quality you develop by adhering to moral principles and that it requires that you do and say nothing that deceives others. Integrity is something that is instilled in us in the beginning of basic training.As we grow in our military career, we learn that all Army values, including integrity still apply during off-duty hours and when not in uniform.
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We are Soldiers always; twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Integrity is not solely based upon the actions of an individual when everyone is watching but also includes those actions taken when it is believed that no one is around. In my short military career, I have learned that you are never really alone and there is always somebody watching you, even if you do not see them.Integrity is being able to admit when you have made a mistake, being trustworthy and dependable even when the right thing isn’t the easiest or most common thing to do. Integrity is definitely a vital factor in ensuring a successful deployment of any unit. Everyone must 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 Brigade 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 the trust is absent at any level, the unit’s cohesion and readiness are affected. Soldiers who don’t demonstrate integrity will suffer the consequences for their actions. These Soldiers are less likely to receive favorable actions of any kinds, to include awards, comp time, etc.Leaders will most likely micromanage Soldiers who lack integrity because of their lack of trust in their ability to accomplish the mission.
As a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in the Army, I am charged with the responsibilities of enforcing the Army Values, all standards and policies placed by my leaders and ensuring that I am setting the right example for all Soldiers, whether in my command or not, to emulate. Integrity becomes a major factor in my ability to do the things I am charged with. “I will not compromise my integrity nor my moral courage. This line of the NCO Creed speaks great volumes. If my Soldiers do not trust that I will always try to do the right thing, they won’t either. Since I have been in the military, I have always heard that all Soldiers are a direct reflection of their leadership. Therefore, if I as their leader lack integrity, my Soldiers will most likely lack it as well.
If my Soldiers don’t trust me, they will not communicate their problems and issues with me. In this, I have already failed my Soldiers; I can’t assist with a problem/issue I am unaware of.Any problem not addressed and corrected will only grow to become a much larger problem. When Soldiers are faced with problems of any sort, whether it be personal, financial, marital, etc. it hinders the Soldier from doing their tasks to the best of their ability. In addition to my Soldiers trusting me, my Chain of Command must trust that I am able to accomplish any mission and will do so in a professional, legal, ethical and moral manner. As a Supply Sergeant, I work directly for the Commander maintaining and managing the various property books.Every piece of equipment and its components are required in order to complete the various missions of my unit.
The Commander is overall responsible for the equipment but delegates to me the task of ensuring all items are properly accounted for and maintained at the lowest level. The Commander has to trust that I am able to fulfill the responsibilities inherit in my role as the Supply Sergeant. Even if I fail to do my job, the Commander is greatly affected and both of our jobs become more difficult.The Commander would then begin to micromanage the Supply section as a whole to ensure his property is being taken care of. I don’t like to be micromanaged and know that I am more than capable of doing my job well so that makes for a tense professional relationship between the Commander and I. Hostile work environments, regardless whether mine or not, are unhealthy and cause added stress. In addition, if the Commander does not trust that I am capable of fulfilling my duties as his Supply Sergeant, I could be removed from my position.
Removal from my current position would result in a negative NCOER and would also damage my professional reputation. What Commander would want a Supply Sergeant that was unable to successfully do their job at a unit working for them? My own personal definition of integrity would be that it should go hand-in-hand with character and honesty. Integrity is what should compel you to do the right thing all the time. It should make you do the small things when nobody is looking, simply because you know it’s the right choice to make.Integrity obliges one to act when duty calls and it also means to firmly adhere to a code of moral and ethical principles.
Living and speaking with integrity is very hard. You must live by your word for everything, no excuses. Having integrity and being honest in everything you say and do builds trust. Integrity is just like respect in that it is earned not given.
Actions speak louder than words and your actions will determine if you are trustworthy. I believe that once trust is broken, it’s a long journey to begin the process of gaining it back.