An Essay On Integrity

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Integrity By: Staff Sergeant Joshua Glober There are a lot of things that could be said about integrity. Integrity is the foundation of our character. It influences our actions and it forms the basis of how others perceive us. This essay will discuss integrity: what it is, what it is not and how to live a life of integrity. According to Merriam-Webster, integrity is defined simply as the quality of being honest and fair (Integrity). But there is much more that can said about what integrity truly means. Integrity in its very nature is intended to be a guiding moral force in our lives which serves to keep us on the straight and narrow. It helps us to not only discern right and wrong, but it also goes a step further and encourages us to make the right decisions when faced with difficult situations. Integrity as it relates to our character means always being true to what one believes to be morally right, even when it is difficult to do. When integrity is compromised, the effects can be severe and long lasting. Compromised integrity can affect everyone around you and even yourself. When a person’s integrity comes to question, everything that that person does is now second guessed and scrutinized. It becomes very difficult if not impossible for trust in that individual to be regained. Once trust is gone, the relationship that you once had with that person ceases to exist. There are many reasons that a person may choose to disregard their integrity in a given situation. One might be that they feel as though they don’t have a choice in the matter. They may feel that perhaps not being honest or forthcoming may be in the best interest of the particular situation. A perfect example of how one’s past decisions to co... ... middle of paper ... ...s, but not dwelling on them. I have to continue to do the right thing, even when it seems more convenient to do otherwise. I have to embody the essence of integrity, both the letter and the spirit behind the word. If I continue to move forward in integrity, I am certain that one day my leader’s trust in me will be restored. Works Cited "Integrity." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. . "Military." FM 7-22.7. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. . United States. U.S. Army. Department of the Army. U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Guide. Washington D.C.: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 2008. Army Publishing Directorate. Web. 02 May 2014. .

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