AIM: New resource for Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Hensley
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, AZ --  Being a new Airman has its challenges, but there are resources available to help, such as the Airman and Family Readiness Center, the first sergeant and chaplain services. Now there is another resource for Airmen to use called Airmen in Mentoring.

The AIM program was started by Staff Sgt. Jose Castro, Detachment 12, 372nd Training Support Squadron weapons instructor, to help Airmen dealing with on and off-duty challenges.

"The idea was to do something like a big brother program to help with lifeskills and career development," Castro said. "I have positive mentors who have helped me with my career, which is why I participate and try to mentor Airmen."

According to Castro, the AIM program's goal is to help young Airmen through the use of volunteer mentors from various units on base to become an extra resource for Airmen.

"Our target audience is senior airmen and below," Castro said. "The reason is that different career fields give out different things from the get-go. Looking down the road, master sergeant boards look back 10 years in enlisted performance records so it's important for us to let younger Airmen know how important it is early in their career."

The mentors with AIM not only help Airmen with career goals but also their personal lives, whether its finances or family concerns.

"I see some young people with a financial crisis who just need some help," Castro said.

"Sometimes it's as easy as having someone willing to drive them out to find a car. The good thing about this is that a lot of people volunteering have different hobbies, so it helps when Airmen can talk with someone they're comfortable with or have similar interests."

AIM is a great opportunity for Airmen to get help, said Tech. Sgt. Steve Martin, 372nd TRS fuels systems instructor.

"When I was an Airman I didn't have a support system around me, so I lost out on some opportunities," he said. "We are trying to push helpful information out to young Airmen as fast as we can."

The goal is to help new Airmen become better, on and off duty, Martin said.

"One of the biggest challenges we faced is getting Airmen excited about this program," he said. "Castro and I hope more Airmen will come out because they want to rather than because they are told to."

Castro hopes Airmen will see AIM as another valuable resource.

"We want Airmen to know they have another door open," Castro said. "We're just an extra avenue to help."

More AIM sessions are planned for the future.