Who was you Military Mentor? Are you still in contact with them?

One of my ROTC instructors was my mentor for many years. I would call him from time to time like before my first deployment or for different new experiences I wanted to get an opinion on. We send Christmas cards back and forth all these years later. All 4 of his children went on to serve in the military.

I've had several mentors throughout my career. Even as a MSG I have had senior MSG's, CSM/SGM, and even officers a mentor. They don't have to be in your career field though it helps. To me, a mentor is someone who offers career advise not only about your job but your career overall. I've had officers tell me I should become an officer or warrant officer because they thought I would make a good leader. I had NCOs as mentors to help me develop in my leadership and management skills. The one who stands out the most was an Infantry Sergeant. I was a Specialist training for the basic leadership course and he taught me how to call cadence and keep the formation in step (I have no rhythm). He put me in charge of formations, despite the disagreement of other NCOs, so I would have the experience of what I would be expected to do. He started my development as a leader and over the years others help define who I am. Throughout my career I have mentored to many by sharing my experiences and knowledge. My direct Soldiers received the most as they were mine. They worked for me and I inspired them to be better than me. They looked up to me but I would tell them, "Be better than me."

He didn't know it, but SFC (E6) Ollie V. Hales mentored me more than he could ever know. His quiet demeanor, trust in his squad leaders--and me--were attributes I tried to follow through my career.
Unfortunately, he had one too many DUIs and was drummed out of service with 18 years in.
I never saw him again and subsequently learned he had died in Augusta, Georgia, on 30 September 1998, long after I had retired in 1980.

Ollie and I served together at Fort Gordon, Fort Bragg, and San Isidro, Dominican Republic, in the 206th Signal Company. He had served in Korea and Vietnam, leaving the service as an SFC with less than 20 years.

I continue to miss him.