Why has mentoring recently captured the military’s attention? Are you a mentor? Do you have a mentor? Do you think a mentor is needed?

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:00:32 -0400

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 29 at 2015 11:02 AM

LTC John Shaw — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:02:01 -0400

It is talked about but so rarely done by the people that need to do it.
How many times do we check the blocks on the counseling forms w/o an actual conversation, not just an email or form pushing out my expectation with limited feedback?
We as the Officer Corps need to take the blame and commit to be better.
I have a duty to my soldiers, I dedicate time but it is not enough. I can do better.

I mentor via the ACP program and recommend it to all service members.
Go to http://www.acp-usa.org/
You can be a mentor or request a civilian mentor.
Build relationships, learn something new.

Veteran Mentoring Program | American Corporate Partners (ACP)

Connecting US Veterans to business leaders through our two free programs: an online network offering business advice, and a nationwide mentoring program.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 29 at 2015 11:09 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:09:13 -0400

Mentoring should be transparent. The SgtMaj doing his rounds is mentoring. The Adj spending 15 minutes explaining what the hell an Adj is is mentoring. Team training etc...

Trying to formalize what essentially an semi-informal relationship is over thinking the problem.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 11:26 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:26:46 -0400

What I have done is seen the gaps in what is taught in TRADOC, lessons learned from OIF/OEF and used those observations as tools to assist junior Warrants and other leaders. I believe that this sort of thing has been going on for a long time but was never labelled. I think we just started to codify it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 11:33 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 11:33:52 -0400

Great series of questions, Chief.

Like LTC Shaw said, how often do we give the same counseling statement as opposed to actually guiding Soldiers through the steps to improve. I cannot tell you how often I got a carbon copy of the same 4856 month after month, or failing that never got one at all.

I think mentorship is being pushed so hard because it really isn't happening. NCOERs are being rushed out to meet deadlines as opposed to being done how they should, and 1/1 ratings given where they rightfully should not. The purposes that evaluations, whether they are for Officers, NCOs or Soldiers, are being ignored simply to meet deadlines.

I like to think that I am a mentor to those who I serve alongside, and I choose to view most of those I come across as mentor, whether they illustrate that which should be emulated or show me what not to be/do. Mentors are extremely important because nothing can replace life experience.

Response by SMSgt Donald Polaski made May 29 at 2015 12:13 PM

SMSgt Donald Polaski — Fri, 29 May 2015 12:13:11 -0400

I was mentored early on by this "Crusty Old Sergeant" who was at my first duty station to retire. I respected his advise and still live by some of his suggestions. I had many other mentors along the way - both officer and NCO.. I began mentoring other younger NCO's who I saw great potential in, but who needed some guidance. Mentors are great! But I don't believe everyone can be a mentor. I think like most attributes, it takes a certain type of individual to be a great mentor. Not that these people are better than everyone else, it is like shooting or any other skill - some have it and some don't - and many have just a little.. I am grateful for my mentors - they made me who I am even today.. I have heard from some whom I have mentored and they appreciate my interest in them.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 12:14 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 12:14:53 -0400

Yes! Yes! A million times yes. I learned to grab the coattails of someone credible and learn from them.

Irrespective of one's age or rank, we should never think that we know it all. We can all learn something from anyone/everyone. Life is a whirling pool of information sharing.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 12:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 12:22:05 -0400

In my mind, I see Leadership as having two prongs. One prong is Management, the other is Mentoring.

The military tends to focus on management, especially in our professional training and schools. NCOs and Junior Officers learn a lot about personnel management and operations management. As you move up, you learn more in depth operations management, project management, system and sub-system management, and executive management skills. While this is definitely needed, the results are the "check the block" forms and training that is done to cover all the tasks. It also results in "micro-management" when people reach a level they are not comfortable with being responsible for, because they don't have a firm grasp on the other prong of Leadership.

Mentoring is often ignored in professional training because it is a learned trait, not a taught skill. Mentoring involves time, something that many leaders don't feel they have enough of. It is difficult to mentor someone when you know nothing about them. Mentoring involves innovative problem solving skills, especially with personnel. Mentoring is more about people than systems, and there are leaders who do not like dealing with people. Think about the best Leaders you have had in the military. I am willing to bet my paycheck they took time to mentor, not just manage.

To answer the question, I think mentors are absolutely needed. Having someone who is able to help you help yourself is invaluable. Every Leader should strive to be a mentor to someone. If you don't think you know how to mentor, find someone who does and talk to them about it. It doesn't always have to be a formal position. An E-4 can mentor any junior enlisted, and if he is truly talented, can mentor an E-5. It's about the person and their ability to be a Leader.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made May 29 at 2015 11:19 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 29 May 2015 23:19:33 -0400

I think having at least one person higher rank than you to consider as a mentor is fairly important. It never hurts to have someone you can go to for guidance and advice when you need it. I would say I have had at least one NCO that I have considered a mentor at each flight/squadron I have been to since Tech School. Someone that I trust and feel is a generally wise individual who can provide great advice.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jul 15 at 2015 8:27 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 08:27:58 -0400

Those answers are easy:
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 15 at 2015 6:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 18:46:23 -0400

Mentors are very much needed as they can use their experience to paint the picture for you.