Non-commissioned Officer and Integrity

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. 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