Inspecting our integrity, embracing higher standards Published Oct. 19, 2009 By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Mike Lovett 437th Airlift Wing Chaplain CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- During my last deployment, I watched as one of our chief master sergeants performed an inspection of the security forces morning guard mount. As I watched him move from Airman to Airman, I was reminded that the rite of inspecting the troops is a very old military ceremony. This ancient ceremony has particular importance to Airmen because it speaks clearly about one of our core values - integrity. In his 2000 address before a joint conference on professional ethics, retired Gen. Charles Krulak, who served as the 31st commandant of the Marine Corps, traced the historical military origins of the word integrity. His story bears repeating. The word integrity is rooted in the military traditions of the ancient Roman army. During the reigns of the Caesars, morning inspections of troops were conducted. As the inspecting centurion would come in front of each soldier, the soldier would strike the armor breastplate which covered his heart. The armor had to be strongest there in order to protect the heart from the sword thrusts, lances and arrow strikes. As the soldier struck his armor, he would shout "integritas," which in Latin means "material wholeness" or "completeness." The inspector listened closely both for the soldiers' oath of service and for the metallic ring of well kept armor. The sounds of the shield's strength and the pledge of service let everyone know this legionnaire was ready for battle in body and spirit. His life was devoted to service to his nation and maintaining sound character in the performance of his duties. During this same period, the emperor's Imperial Guard came into its power and prestige. These troops often came from privileged families, along with those who bought their position. Rather than shouting "integritas" when inspected, these soldiers hit their shields and shouted "hail Caesar." In doing so, they clearly told others their hearts belonged only to the emperor. Their primary loyalty was not to any principle, or value, or service to nation; they existed to serve the desires of one man. As history reveals, the unethical service and immoral character of these soldiers contributed to the demise of the empire. With the passage of time, the legionnaire army felt it was important to distinguish their service from those who dishonored the meaning of true service to one's nation. To set themselves apart, the legionnaires no longer struck their shields and cried "integritas," but instead began to proclaim "integer," which meant "undiminished" or "perfect." This signified both their armor and character remained strong and sound. Unlike their counterparts in the Imperial Guard, they kept their integrity by keeping the priorities of service to the nation and high moral standards. To the Roman legionnaire, you either had integrity or you had nothing. No matter where we serve today, Airmen embrace a higher standard. Our standard is established in our core values. The first core value we embrace is integrity. Without it, we have nothing; with it, we have everything. With or without inspections, our integrity should clearly shine in everything we do in service for our nation and for one another.