Integrity in the Military

Over the decades, the seven army values have been the rock backbone of the United States army. On the other hand, the values have been the defining aspect of good soldiering as the soldiers and their leaders live by the seven core values. To simplify the vales, they are regarded using the acronym LDRSHIP which represents the values as; Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless, Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Change (Army Refocuses on Seven Core Value 4). Being an army officer is a job that one as a soldier must uphold with diligent by both men and women in the army. The basic values are taught in training and reinforced all through their varying training drills as well as through a soldier's military career. This essay discusses integrity, and its relevance in military as one of the core values in the Army. According to me, integrity is of considerable importance to the success of an army officer as well as the entire army troop.

Doing what is right, even when no one is keeping watch is what is known as Integrity. In military, integrity is one of the army values. According to Tarcza (77), integrity is regarded as the aspect of an individual being honest as well as having strong moral principles. This is one of the expensive values as integrity demands one to be honest in terms of professional and personal relationships. More so, one need to be trustworthy, which in turn inspires trust among people around someone. Honesty demands one to be responsible for every action he/she undertakes as well as always act professionally.

In the military, a soldier is supposed to have integrity and pride so as to serve his country honorably. Once the desire to be honorable is lost, a soldier cannot become a professional as well as prospective leader in the military. Being integrity goes beyond doing the right thing when no individual is watching. Adherences to moral/ethical principles as well as pursuit of undiminished condition are two key aspects that ensure integrity is an essential value for a military officer. Through integrity, strength of character is gained as well as the ability for an individual to learn from self-mistakes and focuses on self-improvement. Being an intrinsically motivated thing, integrity helps an individual toward ethical behavior (Matelski 80). With increased diversity in terms of occupation within the military, integrity, value enables a military officer to succeed in any sector within the forces. I.e., either one is the leader, a soldier in the battle, a mechanic, doctor, engineer or any other field, the soldier is able to perform his work within minimal supervision as a result of self-acquired integrity.

According to Matelski (78), success without integrity isn't a genuine success. This is due to the fact that, a person with integrity makes value-based decisions, and not decision focused on personal gain. For soldiers focused to be leaders, whether in their team, in a camp or the overall military leader, integrity is a paramount value for good and an effective leadership. Over the years, the need to maintain integrity has remained quiet a task. Breaching of integrity severely hurts a military soldier overshadowing previous success. Breaches of integrity and the resulting consequences are a bitter reminder of the major role and importance of integrity. In summary, integrity remains an important value for an army officer. However, together with the other 6 values, they are contributing to making of a complete army officer. Being a soldier, integrity is an important value for an army to possess.

Works cited

"Army Refocuses on Seven Core Values."? Army Reserve Magazine, vol. 44, no. 3, Fall98, p. 4. Matelski, Thomas R. "Growing Army Professionals."? Military Review, vol. 96, no. 5, Sep/Oct2016, pp. 76-83. Tarcza, Kenneth. "The Army Values Challenge."? Military Review, vol. 81, no. 1, Jan/Feb2001, p. 77.

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