Integrity First

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Hey, was that you I just saw? I believe it was you I saw driving on Travis Avenue, talking on your cellular phone without using a hands free device. It wasn't you? My mistake, it's just that I see so many people ignoring the law, driving and talking on their cell phone. 

We can not be selective in determining what laws we will obey and what laws we will ignore. As we all know, integrity is one of our three core values; Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in all we do. 

I consider Integrity the most important of the three. My definition of integrity is doing what's right even if no one is looking. If you breach your integrity by driving and talking on your cell phone, without using a hand held device, what other laws will you break or corners will you cut. 

Do you have checklist discipline? In other words, do you follow each step within the checklist or do you skip a step or two when no one is observing you? Are you the reason we placed barriers on Bradley Avenue to prevent you from exceeding the posted speed limits? 

Is the phone call so important it can't wait? Or, are you in too much of a hurry that you can't take a couple of seconds to pull off to the side to take your call? Either way you are breaking the law! Our rules and laws exist for a reason; for you to maintain good order and discipline. Your Integrity defines your character. It is what elevates your spirit and compels you to do the right thing. Here's an example of what I mean. 

A young lady purchased a motocross helmet for her son, and a few other items from
our base exchange. She departed the store, entered her car and as usual, looked over her receipt. This particular time she noticed that the young attendant at the cash register under charged her for the helmet. He charged her $4 instead of $40. 

The young lady got out of her car, went back into the store to have them adjust the price. The woman in the customer service section appeared astonished and said, "Thanks for being so honest. I am not sure how many people would have returned to the store for this adjustment."
I
f you are the one I see driving on the installation using your cell phone without a hand held device, then I would probably question whether or not you would have returned to pay the $36. No I am not saying you are a dishonest person, however, if you are the one breaking the law by talking on your phone while driving then your integrity is in jeopardy. 

I truly believe our commitment to our core values must be unwaiverable because they are more than just words posted on walls or words we recite by memory. They must be our inner voice that help us with our toughest decisions and guide us as Airmen. 

Team Travis have a great weekend, be safe, make responsible choices, and I'll see you around campus.