For the junior Navy out there - what do you think of your command's mentorship program? What do you wish your leaders would do differently?

2016-01-31T18:15:23-05:00

Response by SCPO Joshua I made Feb 1 at 2016 7:02 AM

2016-02-01T07:02:17-05:00

I hate programs. My Sailors are all mentored by me every day. My junior Sailors are mentored by my LPO every day. If we aren't doing that, we're not doing our jobs.

Response by PO1 Todd Cousins made Feb 1 at 2016 10:45 PM

2016-02-01T22:45:55-05:00

There is a dire need for mentoring in today's navy. The problem is if you structure it by making it a program it goes from a needed and useful tool to a check in the box. This generation of sailor is a tough one to help but it can be done. Where I always respected the rank if not the man many of today's young sailors don't even understand that concept. So we must find a way to teach them without making it a check in the box system. I am just glad I am retired.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2016 3:56 AM

2016-02-04T03:56:39-05:00

Mentorship begins to loose it's positive role in the junior sailors eyes when it becomes to formal. They need to be guided by behaviors not by some contract. Hopefully my fellow Second Classes are showing them the right paths.

Response by PO1 James Mason made Feb 4 at 2016 5:23 PM

2016-02-04T17:23:31-05:00

My last command had the idea of mandatory mentorship. All it resulted in was people filling out a piece of paper with a name of their friend in a different department one pay grade higher to satisfy the command requirement. Most sailors in charge of these command programs have no clue what real mentorship means and simply propigate the failures of those who have gone before them, often resulting in poor command climates that break even the most hopeful of wills. Forced "mentorship" ends up being nothing more than micromanaging from the top down and everyone loses. There are literally hundreds of resources on the topic in the private sector that should be made mandatory study for all E-4 and above and officers.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2016 3:10 PM

2016-02-21T15:10:55-05:00

It would be nice if we had one.