Integrity: The inner voice

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Editor's note: This is the first of a three-part series on the Air Force core values.

Airmen are like medieval knights or Japanese samurai in that they have a code that provides a foundation for their training and service.

This code is known as the Air Force core values, and they consist of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do.

"Integrity first," is the first core value Airmen are introduced to in Basic Military Training, and something that is brought up constantly throughout their careers.

According to Air Force Instruction 1-1: Air Force Culture, "Integrity is a character trait. It is the willingness to do what is right even when no one is looking. It is the 'moral compass' - the inner voice; the voice of self-control; the basis for the trust that is essential in today's military."

The Air Force also defines integrity as covering several moral traits indispensable to national service. Some of these traits are honesty, accountability, responsibility and justice.

Throughout his career, Chaplain (Maj.) Robert Schobert, 2nd Bomb Wing, has seen Airmen demonstrate the importance of honesty in many forms.

"Commanders trust that reports are accurate," he said. "Pilots trust that aircraft are properly maintained. Supervisors trust that tasks are accomplished according to standards. Airmen must trust Airmen; our integrity requires us to maintain that trust. The nation and our mission demand it."

As Airmen, every day we have opportunities to instill trust through the demonstration of our Core Values, he said.

Staff Sgt. Felicia Logsdon, 2nd Comptroller Squadron quality examination NCO in-charge, understands the importance of accountability.

"Accountability is being able to recognize when we've made mistakes, come up with solutions to those mistakes and become better Airmen for them," Logsdon said. "It's not about covering up our problems; we have to be accountable for all of our actions."

Consequently, 2nd CPTS Airmen must hold each other accountable. Her squadron is responsible for the funds that run the base and that also pay Airmen and civilian workers. Accountability is important to make sure the money is being well spent.

"Airmen contact and follow-up with customers," Logsdon said. "We're also accountable for making sure Airmen receive the funds they're entitled to."

However, accountability is only one aspect of Integrity. Integrity is also a part of responsibility and justice.

"If there's an incident on base, it's our responsibility to not take shortcuts when responding or the incident can get worse," said Senior Airman Deon Abdullah, 2nd Security Forces Squadron patrol leader. "A person of integrity is someone who also practices justice and that means accepting the consequence of your actions."

Since a person of integrity acts responsibly, Abdullah advises Airmen to do their part to be responsible not only in their duties, but also with each other.

Like history's ancient warriors, Barksdale Airmen work and train under a warrior code, embodying a core value that truly puts integrity first.