Dodge ball, a lesson in integrity

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sergeant Paul H. Weseloh
  • 376TH Air Expeditionary Wing command chief
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) --  The sidelines erupt with yells of “He’s out,” or “She crossed the center.” The players look to the referees for a call, “Am I out or not?” Dodge ball games at the fitness center are an integrity-based game. There are obvious hits, but the majority of hits require the player to self-identify a hit and step out of the game. While watching a game recently, I thought how this was a classic Air Force core-values lesson on Integrity First.

Integrity is a character trait. It is the willingness to do what is right even when no one is looking. It is the “morale compass.” It is the inner voice; the voice of self-control; the basis for the trust imperative in today’s military.

Integrity is the ability to hold together and properly regulate all the elements of a personality. A person of integrity, for example, is capable of acting on conviction. A person of integrity can control impulses and appetites.

But integrity also covers several other moral traits indispensable to national service.

-- COURAGE. A person of integrity possesses moral courage and does what is right even if the personal cost is high.

-- HONESTY. Honesty is the hallmark of the military professional because in the military, our word must be our bond. The bottom line is we don’t lie, and we can’t justify any deviation.

-- RESPONSIBILITY. No person with integrity is irresponsible; a person of true integrity acknowledges his or her duties and acts accordingly.

-- SELF-RESPECT. To have integrity also is to respect oneself as a professional and a human being. A person of integrity does not behave in ways that would bring discredit upon him or herself or the organization to which he or she belongs. Look at the impact that alleged steroid use is having on Major League Baseball and the integrity of the players and records involved.

-- HUMILITY. A person of integrity grasps and is sobered by the awesome task of defending the Constitution of the United States of America.

As we engage in the war on terrorism and represent our service and our country, do it with Integrity First, followed by Service Before Self and finally Excellence In All We Do. Have fun playing Dodge ball…and have a great Air Force day!