Posted on Nov 20, 2014
What is more important, your career or your integrity and honor?
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We have had many spirited debates on many controversial issues. Some have been about religion and politics, others about whether or not our C-I-C if found guilty should be apprehended or dealt with by the military. I am not trying to address these points, but want to know which is more important to you, speaking what you believe to be true or hiding behind a mask of political correctness? These discussions have brought out unnecessary personal attacks which I feel are beneath us because of our mutual service to our Country. We should be able to converse with mutual respect, honesty and integrity and quit any personal attacks or inferences that attacks have been made as a result of someone's post! And, do you feel as though being politically correct is beneficial in military and/or civilian society?
Honor
Integrity
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 29
SCPO (Join to see)
1LT Sandy Annala Damn Straight!!!!!
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PO1 Steven Kuhn
In other words 1LT Sandy Annala -integrity....
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SGT Graham "Tom" Town
What good are all the Medals & such if you can't stand to look in the Mirror?
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SGT Erik Prano
I always sought personal integrity, and stood up for what was right. I always considered personal honor above career, without exception.
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Honor. Integrity. Career. In that order. Most recently I have been called on the carpet for supporting a 1LT who was seriously wronged in Afghanistan. I wrote a very strongly worded letter of endorsement for him to remain in the Army and have his record cleared of some egregious and inflammatory administrative action that was taken against him when there were others who should have shouldered the blame. He was a scape goat and a head on a pike. It was an empty mission though...I knew it had no chance of being overturned as it was done by a sitting Division Commander with a significant name. I was questioned for the language I used and for writing it in the first place. I was asked why it was worth putting my reputation on the line for someone like that. My answer seemed obvious to me. If not me then who? If not for this 1LT, then for who. Why are we here as leaders? The answer..."Well, it damaged your credibility." You fight every day for what is right. No matter the consequence. Sometimes your idea of right ain't going to match your boss' idea of right...or more aptly...smart. It's then when you will have to determine what matters more to you. That 1LT's opinion of me mattered much more than my rater or senior rater's opinion of me. Still does. Might not work out for me in the end though, and that 1LT will be out of the Army soon...but I will always remember his inability to thank me for trying to catch as many bullets as I could. One got through. There's a great quote out there...don't know if it's real or not..."Once, a young man lie bleeding on the battlefield. He was screaming for his buddy. His buddy asked his officer if he could go get him and the officer said no. He went anyway. Dodging bullets and shrapnel he made it and drug his friend from the battlefield. On the way back he was shot multiple times but stumbled back into his own lines. When he arrived his officer was furious. I told you not to go...now I've lost both of you...it wasn't worth it. The Soldier cradled his friend's head in his lap and as he died he said, 'But it was, sir. Because when I got to him he said, 'Jim...I knew you'd come.'
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
Excellent point sir and having fell on my sword this past year for a fellow officer my credibility was in question much as your own. We cannot do it on a regular basis either, for that also makes us a target for assisting everyone. A deep lesson I have to come and grasp the last 12-24 months. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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CPT (Join to see)
Sir, thank you for your actions and sharing that story. I had a BN CDR turn over on me once so hearing what you did for your 1LT is great. Honor. Integrity. Career.
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1SG (Join to see)
As a First Sergeant, I had a Battalion turn South on me over an NCOER Issue in favor of a very weak and poor commander. The Bn CSM knew what happened was wrong. Next thing I Knew I was standing with him in Bde Cdr's office explaining (in his words), "What the hell is going on here 1SG Mack?" When I was finished (and supported by the CSM), he non-concurred the rating, added his memo with reasoning and what he felt the rating should be...and I came out on SGM promotion list 2 yrs later.
CSM said to me as we left the Bde Cdr's office, " I remembered the times that you did the same for some of your troops, NCOs and young LTs. It was time somone did it for you!"
CSM said to me as we left the Bde Cdr's office, " I remembered the times that you did the same for some of your troops, NCOs and young LTs. It was time somone did it for you!"
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