JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Who is your mentor? Better yet, who are you mentoring?
Mentoring relationships are the cornerstone of an effective team and organization. Today, with changes, such as Career Job Reservation restraints, force shaping and deployments, our Airmen need mentorship more than ever. That's why it's so important to have both formal and informal mentoring processes.
So what exactly is a mentor and just as importantly, who can be a mentor?
First of all, any one of us can be a mentor. A mentor is a trusted advisor or counselor and helper. Basically, we as mentors, help guide our Airmen on their journeys with the goal of helping them grow as an Airmen and a person in their professional and personal lives.
In a formal learning situation, mentoring functions can be understood as providing support, challenges and vision. Mentoring helps prepare for the increased responsibilities Airmen assume as they progress in their career.
One of the misconceptions about mentorship is that it is only for officers. That is not the case. Mentorship includes everyone; officers, enlisted and civilians. Mentoring covers a wide variety of areas such as technical and professional development, history and heritage, air and space power doctrine, joint war fighting, family situations and career guidance. The intention of mentorship is to develop well-rounded, professional and competent future leaders of our Air Force.
So, start seeking out a mentor today or better yet start mentoring our future leaders!
Mentoring is covered in Air Force Instruction 36-3401.