Early lesson in integrity

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Rojek
When you're 10 years old and two police officers show you their badges while asking where you're going, even at such a young age you know you'll remember that moment forever. 

It was 1987, the year in which my interests were Garbage Pail Kids, baseball cards, video games and girls ... in that order. And just as I was too shy to talk to the girls, I didn't have any money to really buy the Garbage Pail Kids cards or video games. My family at that time was necessarily poor, but weren't the Kardashians either. 

However, on a bright, hot summer day in that year, I had managed to scrounge together about $5 from doing odd jobs around the apartment complex. Not being a financial genius then (or now), I planned to out that day and spend it all on candy, baseball cards and comics. A few of my friends were visiting and we all walked down to the supermarket two blocks from my home. 

Oh, to be young and have money burning a large hole in your pocket! I rushed around the store grabbing goodies, mentally keeping track of how much cash I had left. I was so enraptured by the shopping spree that it took me a moment to hear my friends calling me over with a "Psst!" 

One friend kept looking up and down the aisle while the other was shoving baseball cards and candy in his pockets. When he was at capacity, they switched roles. 

"C'mon, Ben," said one of the boys in a stage whisper. "Grab some stuff. No one is watching!" 

I looked up and down the aisle myself. There was no one around. It was still early in the day and the store seemed deserted. Cue the tumbleweeds and crickets. 

"Hurry before someone comes by," said the other boy. "We'll trade cards when we get back to your house." 

There were two packs of baseball cards, one comic book and three packs of candy in my hands. Between the two of my friends, they had at least four times that. Butterflies crept slowly around the lining of my stomach, threatening to take flight as I considered filling my own pockets. I had never taken home that many Garbage Pail Kids cards, never had that much candy to devour. Temptation smelled like chocolate that day. 

But I beat it back, fought it with 10-year-old logic: If I were to steal all of that stuff, sure I'd get what I wanted; but that candy wouldn't taste good, that comic book wouldn't seem as action-packed. I'd feel guilty because, even if no one ever knew I stole, I would know, and all those "treats" would be a reminder. 

With my mind made up, I told my friends that I wasn't going to steal anything. I asked them if they were really sure they should either. 

"No one's going to know, dude," said the first boy. "We'll meet you by the door." 

They headed to the front of the store as I went to the cash register. I paid under $5 for everything I bought, so I pocketed the change, grabbed my bag and the three of us walked out together. 

And that's when we saw the badges. 

"So, where you boys headed?" said the first cop. 

My friends were frozen with fright, so I answered, "Back home, sir." 

"Is there anything you boys forgot to do?" said the first cop again, looking at my two friends. 

Both of my companions shook their head, stammering "N-n-no." 

"The two of you should come with us," the second cop said to my friends, before turning to me. "And you should go home." 

I did just that, taking an important lesson with me (besides all the candy and cards). It's a lesson that followed me throughout my life and I was finally able to put into words when I joined the Air Force: 

Integrity first. 

I've heard people say that integrity means doing what is right even when no one is looking. But I like better what one colonel told me as an airman: "Integrity is doing what is right no matter the situation, no matter who is or isn't looking. Integrity is doing what is right at all times." 

If you're in an empty supermarket, don't steal; if you're in a building foyer while five other people wait for Retreat to finish playing, step outside and salute. Doing what you know is right does not make you weak or a puppet. Doing what is right will instill a sense of pride, knowing that you have risen above the test. 

Doing what is right, in actuality, is putting you, the Air Force and integrity first.