Integrity: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Integrity is how somebody lives their life. In this life we live, we face choices every day that only we can answer. We dictate how we run our own lives, and the way we run them defines us. Integrity is doing the right thing versus the wrong thing. People, if nothing else, can always have their pride, their integrity. It is something that means a lot to some people and then nothing to others. The ones who value their integrity highly are the good people in this world, and the opposite is true for those who do not value their integrity. Integrity to me is the backbone of the 7 Army Values without integrity you lose the ability to lead by example, without it you lose the way of doing your duties, without it you wouldn’t be able to respect your higher ranking officials, no integrity also means that you wouldn’t be able to serve selflessly, with no integrity you have no honor, you also have no personal courage or intestinal fortitude required to carry on with your mission. According to the Army Values, the definition of integrity is to do what's right, legally and morally. It says 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. 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 the successful deployment and readiness of any unit. Everyone must trust each other to accomplish the mission and keep each other safe. This begins at the highest level and comes 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 NCO Support Channel. If the trust is lost 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 soldier in the Army, you are charged with the responsibilities of enforcing the Army Values upon yourself, all standards and policies placed by my leaders and ensuring that I am setting the right example for all Soldiers. Integrity becomes a major factor in my ability to do the things I am responsible for. Since I have been in the military, I have always heard that all Soldiers are a direct reflection of their leadership. Therefore, if my leaders lack integrity, their Soldiers will most likely lack it as well. If the Soldiers don’t trust there direct line supervisor, they will not communicate their problems and issues with them. In this, they’d have already failed their Soldiers, and in this they can’t assist with a problem/issue they’re 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 Soldiers trusting there NCO’s, and Chain of Command they must also trust that their NCO’s are able to accomplish any mission and will do so in a professional, legal, ethical and moral manner.

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. With that being said, I apologize to my NCO SSG Njeru, and I apologize to my NCOIC SSG Butler. I made a fool of my NCO SSG Njeru with no knowledge of my actions he defended me blindly and for that I am sorry. Also to my NCOIC SSG Butler I made it seem as he didn’t know what was going on with his soldiers. And for that to all of my leaders I apologize. I will continue to work and make myself as a soldier better and do my duties correctly and live the Army values in and out of uniform until my time comes to leave. Actions speak louder than words and so these words mean nothing until I prove them so with that being said I will be a better soldier than I have been here lately. I truly do appreciate all of you as my leaders so with that I say thank you.