What is the first core attribute guiding Navy leaders?

The first core attribute guiding Navy leaders is integrity. Integrity is fundamental to the establishment of trust and credibility among leaders and their subordinates. In military settings, where decisions can have significant consequences, maintaining integrity ensures that leaders uphold the principles and values of the Navy, fostering a culture of transparency and ethical behavior.

Integrity encompasses honesty, adherence to moral and ethical principles, and the ability to act in accordance with one’s values, even in challenging situations. This core attribute is critical in building a cohesive unit where members feel secure and supported, knowing that their leaders will consistently do what is right.

In contrast, other attributes such as accountability, toughness, and initiative, while important, build upon the foundation that integrity sets. Accountability requires leaders to take responsibility for their actions and decisions, which is only effective if those actions are grounded in integrity. Toughness refers to the resilience and mental strength needed to handle the pressures of leadership, and initiative involves the drive to take action and make decisions; however, these qualities cannot thrive without the cornerstone of integrity guiding them.