Ethical Failure at the point of convenience: How small Inter…

This essay examines how small ethical lapses, often made at the point of convenience, can undermine trust, authority, and the Army profession. As a senior MS4 ROTC cadet preparing to commission in a few months, I am at a critical point where my actions directly reflect my readiness to serve as an Army officer. Recent incidents involving poor time management, repeated lateness to formations and battalion events, and a lapse in judgment regarding academic integrity highlighted how seemingly minor decisions can erode trust and credibility over time.

This writing is intended as a personal reflection on how integrity is not only tested in major moral dilemmas, but more often in everyday decisionsmeeting deadlines, being present, and adhering to standards when it is inconvenient. The essay connects these experiences to the Army Ethic, emphasizing that trust and authority are built through consistent discipline and reliability. As I approach commissioning, this reflection serves as a reminder that ethical leadership begins with personal accountability and that small integrity violations, if left uncorrected, can have lasting consequences for both individual leaders and the profession they represent.