Integrity

Integrity

Good leadership traits and attitude is greatly encouraged from superiors but what is always expected is integrity. Integrity is the uprightness of character and soundess of moral principles; this includes the qualities of truthfullness and honesty. This means committing

yourself, keeping your word and all around staying true to yourself and others. Having integrity does not necessarily mean that you have good morals or that you never make mistakes. Having integrity means that you are honest and take full responsibility for your actions. From the time I was young, like many others I would hear that you'll be better off if you just tell the truth from the getgo. Its true.

Every marine starts out his or her career with unblemished integrity. It's up to that marine to either maintain or tarnish that integrity. Once your integrity has been compromised, needless to say it is very difficult to regain it in the eyes of your peers. Doing the right thing won't exactly get you promoted there on the spot but it will give you a clean conscience and demand the respect of your peers. It's obvious that down the road this is much more important. All in all, integrity and "Doing the right thing" go hand in hand.

One of the most difficult tests of integrity is peer pressure. Everyone has been in a sisuation where "everyone" is doing something wrong, and the pressure to go along with it is great. One might think "If I don't join in, then I will lose respect among my peers, not gain it." This is not true in the professional environment. Us Marines have are obligated to do what's right all the time, meaning not surrendering to peer pressure when it might involve illegal or immoral decisions.

Bending the rules may not have immediate ramifications to the individual but down the road there could be grave consequences. The more

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