"Do the right thing" -- most valuable advice for all Published Nov. 1, 2006 By Maj. Daryl Cunningham 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Throughout my life, I've received advice from numerous people in various forms...some of it valuable and some of it down right ridiculous. Some advice I've received was just so complex, it actually took years for me to fully understand the point the "advisor" was trying to make. This type of advice most times results in thoughts like, "if only I knew then what I know now," and sometimes regrets about decisions or choices we've made as young men and women. Keeping advice simple and easy to understand is key to actually changing someone's life...that's why the best advice I have to offer anyone is simply always "do the right thing." Now you may be saying to yourself, "do the right thing" is nothing new or I've heard that a thousand times before and you would be correct. This simple phrase was the title of a 1989 film by Spike Lee that addressed racial insensitivity in a New York neighborhood; however, doing the right thing is not limited to how we interact with each other in the world's most culturally diverse military. "Do the right thing" is just another way to describe the USAF Core Values: Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in all we do. Integrity is a characteristic that drives us to do the right thing in all situations, personal and professional. Putting service before self is doing the right thing; realizing that success and excellence is not a matter of luck...it requires hard work and effort over and above the minimum. Each one of these values describes doing the right thing, which must be the foundation upon which we build our lives, personally and professionally. For example, doing the right thing is using tech data all the time, not just when you think someone may be watching. Doing the right thing is developing and training subordinates to successfully perform the mission and recognizing them for a job well done. Doing the right thing is putting in a full day's work everyday and never cutting corners just to finish a few minutes early. Doing the right thing is also taking the time to understand why we must meet standards and established quality indicators. Standards and quality indicators are not arbitrary numbers that we chase to make ourselves look good to higher headquarters; they're readiness indicators that determine our capability to respond quickly and decisively win our nation's wars. Professionally, military members simply can't afford not to "do the right thing." Losing site of this simple guideline could literally put our country's security and the American way of life in jeopardy. Military members also have an obligation to always "do the right thing" personally. Granted, some of the decisions we as military members have to make are not the most popular or may not be well received by our peers, but this should not sway us from doing what is right. For example, circumstances surrounding situations such as underage drinking almost always include an "of age" individual or individuals who either provide the alcohol or sit by and let it happen without making an effort to stop the crime. The choice to do this may seem harmless at the time, but in reality can do great harm to all parties involved. Its very simple...choose to do the right thing and continue to feel good about the person you see in the mirror every morning or choose to do the wrong thing and face discipline from someone else. Self-discipline is the ultimate form of doing the right thing. If we all take the time to consider the consequences of our actions before acting, the decision to do the right thing becomes a very easy one to make. Without a doubt, "do the right thing" is one of the most comprehensive and valuable pieces of advice everybody, but especially military members, must follow. It encompasses the core values we must maintain professionally and also gives us a strong and unwavering foundation to guide our personal decisions and actions. Hopefully seeing the phrase repeated over and over in this article emphasizes its value. So, don't be the person who wakes up one morning 20 years from now with a revelation that could have changed your whole life...start doing the right thing right now.