INTRODUCTION

1. Certain core values exist for all the members of armed forces all over the world. The core values are much more than minimum standards. These inspire us to do our very best at all times. These are the common bond among all comrades in arms, and they are the glue that unifies the force and ties us to the great warriors of the past. Integrity is one of these core values which is the essential foundation element on which other core values are built. Integrity has an important role to play in the minds of both the leader and the follower. AIM

2. The aim of this service paper is to discuss the importance of integrity as a core value in armed forces and fostering of integrity as a core value in armed forces.

INTEGRITY AS A CORE VALUE

What are Core Values? 3. Core values are the governing principles that help an individual to make sound and consistent decisions. An individuals core values should be an accurate reflection of who the individual is and what the individual is all about. Core values should be the very foundation that the individual is built on. They are what drives the individual when all else seems to have faltered. 4. Integrity, Loyalty, honesty, dependability and sense of responsibility, Initiative, Self confidence, Selfless Service, cooperation and team spirit, leadership and motivation, discipline and Personal Courage are considered as core values in the armed forces. What is Integrity? 5. It is the perceived consistency of actions, values, methods, measures and principles. It is defined as the quality or state of being of sound moral principle, uprightness, honesty, and sincerity. Integrity means completeness and wholeness. Integrity leads you to unity and consistency in your principles, values, and behavior. It

requires you to be candid and sincere with your peers, subordinates, and superiors. Integrity calls upon you to be honest and honorable in word and deed at all times. Integrity is not a value which can be turned on and off when convenient. It is important in all the three services of armed forces. It is expected from the youngest airman to the senior officers and like wise in other two services. The principal quality that followers look for in a leader is integrity. In simple words, Integrity in armed forces is doing the right thing at all levels on our own even when no one is monitoring. Leadership and Integrity. 6. Military leadership is the process of influencing others to accomplish the mission by providing purpose, direction, and motivation. Command is the authority, a person in the military service lawfully exercises over subordinates by virtue of his rank and assignment or position. The basic responsibilities of a leader are: Accomplishment of the mission and the welfare of the soldiers. At the same time, leadership qualities enable the leader to identity what is to be done and further managers help the leaders to find out how it is to be done. 7. Out of all the qualities which are expected out of military leaders and followers, integrity forms the foundation upon which the rest is built upon. Though integrity is applicable to all the personnel in the armed forces, it is the leader who is looked upon as ideal reference making it more significant for them to have it. It is a fact that competence and integrity are not inseparable. The officer who sacrifices his integrity sacrifices all; he will lose the respect and trust of those he seeks to lead, and he will degrade the reputation of his profession. A good leader therefore, fosters these qualities. A failure of integrity poisons the outfit, destroys trust between people, and breaks down unit cohesion. While leadership qualities are diverse, integrity is simply a yes-or-no question. You either have it or you dont. For that reason, leaders must always display the highest standards of integrity. Fostering of Integrity as a core value in Armed Forces 8. Of the many challenges, the armed forces leaders face today, building integrity is the most important. Admittedly, this is not an easy task, especially in todays permissive society. But we are committed to building a quality Force, and this requires quality leadership. Without integrity, leadership cannot flourish and our mission will suffer. Hence there is a need to foster integrity as a core value in armed forces. Integrity means that no matter who is looking and who is around, even if no one is around, then one should do the right thing. It doesnt mean that one wont be tempted to do what is easy; it means that in the face of the temptation that a leader or follower will do the right thing. All armed forces personnel have to be held in a higher accountability than other people in the country, because the whole nation is looking upon to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

9. The other values such as self confidence, physical and mental courage could be easily reviewed. Integrity is not quantified rather it is displayed in the day to day working culture in armed forces. There are several ways integrity can be promoted which will act as foundation to stabilize other traits of personnel in armed forces. Some of the methods to foster Integrity as core value in armed forces is given below. (a) During every counseling apart from all the values, Integrity is to be discussed and the individual is to be told how well he / she has been able to stick to principled working / work ethos especially when not monitored in day to day function for that period. If any point for improvement it should be told constructively. (b) Integrity is not that few adhere to and rests dont, rather it has to be followed by one and all in the service. Good show or appreciations to be given to those personnel who exhibit consistently. This has to be given to most of the people in slot of five, ten, fifteen and so on which will motivate everyone to continue the consistency. (c) Magazines, circulars and other form of communication should have regular article on the significance of integrity how it should be made as way of life rather a word to hear or see once in a while. (d) Disciplinary action of highest possible level should be initiated against individual found not possessing or tainted in the core value of Integrity.

CONCLUSION

10. Integrity as a core value is uncompromising adherence to a code of moral conduct with utter sincerity. It is manifested in an absolute devotion to keeping ones word. It holds all the relationships together including the relationship between the leader and the led based on trust and in turn on integrity. Integrity in leadership is expressed in terms of constancy and consistency. Integrity is so important that functioning in armed forces would be impossible without it. The leaders, therefore should encourage moral development at all levels to face the future challenges.