Integrity first Published July 19, 2010 By Col. Rusty Wilson 721st Mission Support Group commander CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. -- I think most of you have heard the old axiom that the third time is a charm. And I'm sure if you surf the web enough you'll find plenty of anecdotal evidence to substantiate the claim. Likewise, I'm guessing most folks have heard bad things come in threes. And again, investing a little of your valuable time out in cyberspace, you can probably put together a pretty convincing argument that bad things do indeed happen in threes. I'm no expert in numerology and I really don't intend to banter about on different superstitions. Rather, I simply find it interesting so many things come in or are attributed to threes. One of these triads happens to be the Air Force Core Values; Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do. If you'll bear with me, I'd like to share a "few" thoughts on Integrity. Recently I had the privilege to provide opening comments for a Bystander Intervention Course and I took a few minutes to review a handy little book the Air Force produced back in 1997 as a basic introduction to the idea of these core values. In that book, and as I've heard so many times, integrity is defined as a character trait; as doing the right thing even when no one is looking. At the Bystander Intervention Course we discussed the core values, which of course, they could easily spout off...even using the same line about no one watching in explaining integrity. At that point I went on to tell the attendees gathered that that particular definition never really felt right to me. Additionally, as I thought about it in the context of requiring all Air Force members to attend Bystander Intervention Training, I was even less satisfied with the characterization. I am proud of the Airmen I have worked with and of those I continue to serve alongside and I believe the vast majority of them will always "do the right thing even when no one is looking." However I strongly believe we need Airmen prepared to do the right thing especially when others are watching. Consider for a moment how many of the challenges and problems facing the Air Force today could be avoided or even solved if an Airman, who knows it is the right thing to do, would simply step forward at the appropriate time regardless of who might be watching. Bystander Intervention Training doesn't state there is necessarily a right answer or template to follow for every situation we might find ourselves in. Instead, it attempts to make us aware of the importance of making the personal decision to not allow inappropriate behavior to continue with the ultimate goal of training Airmen to stop sexual assaults before they occur. The training is intended to equip us with the skills to know what to watch for and to help us feel more prepared to intervene. Admittedly we are putting a tremendous onus on all Airmen, young and "seasoned" alike. It is uncomfortable; especially if the individual stepping in is the "new guy," there are personnel of higher rank or one of a multitude of other factors involved. However, each of us is duty-bound to listen to that inner voice that is telling us we should not simply stand by. This training will help us muster the personal courage to intervene and, in doing so, break the cycle of sexual assault. If you ponder it for a couple of minutes, you'll see doing the right thing no matter who is watching complements our Wingman culture. Your actions, or inactions, can have a direct impact on the wellbeing of a fellow Airman. This concept extends to another danger threatening our Airmen; suicide. Our protection from this danger relies on our mutual support of one another. It is difficult to describe something more tragic than an individual taking his or her own life. And yet today we find the numbers of these tragedies continuing to rise among our ranks. Here again it takes a hearty dose of personal courage to nudge into another's private life, but the stakes involved should compel each of us to be prepared to do so when we perceive it to be necessary. We receive training to help us to recognize signs of suicidal ideation, how to properly react to it and guidance on reporting. But we might rationalize ourselves out of taking action precisely because others are watching. We may tell ourselves the situation isn't really as bad as we may perceive or worry that approaching the individual or talking to a caregiver may make us look bad or like a "busy body"; besides if it really is a possibility, someone else will intercede. We must resist rationalizing ourselves into inactivity by all means; personal integrity demands that we intervene. Likewise, if you find yourself at wits end and considering suicide, you need to find help and your fellow Airman is watching your back standing ready to provide it. Following in the tradition of threes, I sincerely hope that: 1) this commentary finds you well or, at least, well supported; 2) you'll all do the right thing no matter who is watching; and 3) each of you will practice being a good Wingman watching out for all your fellow Airmen.