Integrity is included into the list of the LEADRSHIP values, which exist to direct military servicemembers toward an appropriate conduct. Integrity can be defined as being honest and morally correct despite any difficulties or consequences that might result from following legal and moral principles (Walklate & McGarry, 2016). This definition can be used to discuss the meaning and components of this value and produce an explanation of why it is important. In particular, it shows that integrity is a complex concept that can be difficult to take into account, which makes it even more crucial for one’s trustworthiness.
The first element of integrity is honesty. This aspect of the concept should be applied both to oneself and others, and it can be defined as the lack of lying (Walklate & McGarry, 2016). In other words, to ensure one’s integrity, a person must not lie to others, but it is also important to avoid lying to oneself. A person with integrity, therefore, is trustworthy because they can be expected not to lie to anyone. Additionally, the ability to be honest with oneself is helpful in multiple contexts and might improve one’s ability to make the right choices.
Another element of integrity is morality or moral principles (Walklate & McGarry, 2016). A person with integrity, therefore, demonstrates an understanding of what is moral and what is not and always chooses the former. It follows that in order to have integrity, one needs to first become aware of the concept of morality and then use it in everyday life. This aspect of integrity means that the process of acquiring it is not simple.
Indeed, another characteristic of integrity is that it can be difficult to achieve (Walklate & McGarry, 2016). This aspect needs to be taken into account when attempting to practice integrity. As can be seen from the features above, integrity can be challenging; it is not easy to be truthful to oneself, and it can be hard to make moral decisions, especially in instances of ambiguity. Similarly, it is possible to imagine instances in which lying to another might be the easy solution, and the moral choice might be the complicated one. Examples can include delivering bad news or acting right under pressure and danger for one’s wellbeing.
However, it is critical to practice integrity, especially when it is important to uphold the image of oneself and the institution one represents. A person with integrity is trustworthy, and a trustworthy image is an asset in many circumstances. For example, in the case of military service, being trusted is key to facilitating the procedures associated with the job. Additionally, it should be pointed out that by definition, it is morally correct to have integrity. Integrity is also the difficult choice in many instances, which makes it not unlikely to be rare. Therefore, it can be suggested that every person, regardless of their occupation, should try to demonstrate integrity.
To summarize, integrity is a complex concept that incorporates being truthful and following moral principles. It is included into LDRSHIP values, but it would be a great value to exhibit regardless of one’s occupation. It is a difficult value to achieve, but it is necessary to instil trust and make morally correct decisions. Being rare and important for one’s morality, this value is highly desirable in many contexts.
Reference
Walklate, S., & McGarry, R. (2016). Criminology and war: Transgressing the borders. Routledge.