What is your integrity worth? Published Aug. 2, 2013 By Chief Master Sgt. Mark Bronson 60th Medical Group TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif -- Would you compromise your integrity for something of no value? Would you give away your integrity for something of little value or a temporary pleasure? You might be thinking those questions are silly, no one would compromise their integrity for such trivial things, or would they? I recently played a softball game in a league comprised of coaches and managers from the local youth baseball program. During that game, our outfielder dove for a fly ball and made what looked like the final out of the inning. The umpire called it a catch for an out, to which the other team quickly appealed, saying he trapped the ball and it was not a clean catch. The umpire admitted his view was obstructed so he walked toward our player asked him, "Be honest and tell me - did you make the catch?" He didn't hesitate. His answer was yes so the umpire upheld the call. As we went into the dugout, our player quickly told our team he didn't catch it and they began laughing about it. In fact, they joked he had become a true member of the team with his actions. As I drove home and reflected on the incident I couldn't believe this individual would give his integrity away for an out in a recreational softball game. Really? He lied to get an out in a softball game. This was a baseball coach for our 7- and 8-year-old children. What was he teaching them? What type of example was he setting? I imagined if I worked with this guy and had witnessed that, how could I trust him to have my back or do his job properly? If he was my supervisor, would he sell me out so cheaply? I then began to reflect on our Air Force and some of the high-profile cases in the news where our members have sold or given their integrity away for personal gain or a brief moment of pleasure. While all our core values are important, I believe integrity is the building block upon which our Air Force foundation is built. Each day, we are faced with situations that challenge our integrity and we are faced with a decision. Do we do what is right, even when no one would be the wiser? Or do you choose the other path? Do we put our own wants and desires first and give our integrity away? It may be a small item such as walking by a safety violation or following a checklist or technical order. It may be hearing an inappropriate conversation or witnessing inappropriate behavior. Do we let it slip and justify it as that is just how they are or convince ourselves they are the best worker we have, so it won't cause any harm? Integrity says I do the right thing, take action and address the inappropriate behavior or comments because even the smallest breach could snowball and destroy the moral of a unit or, worse, result in a loss of one of our teammates. Clearly, a great majority of our members make the correct choice each and every day. However, in light of some of the big issues our Air Force is facing, can we really afford even a small percentage that lack integrity and are willing to give it away? We must expect and demand everyone to have integrity and take action when we witness those who don't. Integrity takes constant attention to build and can be lost in an instant. One poor decision can cost you your integrity. Once compromised, it is a difficult thing to regain, maybe impossible, depending on the lapse in judgment. So I ask you again, what is your integrity worth? I believe the value of integrity to be priceless. Value it and do not give it away.