Importance of Mentorship

  • Published
  • By 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona --  Airmen are encouraged to take charge of their personal and professional development through a mentorship program where junior Airmen receive guidance and direction from more experienced Airmen.

At Luke Air Force Base, any Airman may take part in mentorship, in the role of a mentor or mentee, to share knowledge, skills, information and general perspectives to help boost an Airman's growth and understanding of Air Force life.

"Mentorship is having someone you can go to if you have questions about anything that is bothering you," said Tech. Sgt. Cassandra Turnage, 56th Force Support Squadron career development NCO in charge. "It's being that person an Airman can come to and having about the experience to answer any question they may have whether it be their AFSC or any other career path."

Another way to find a mentor is the MyVECTOR website.  MyVECTOR is an enterprise solution that supports the Air Force's goal to provide a standardized process available to all Airmen for career development and mentoring. Airmen can be proactive about their career development and mentoring relationships. The site has a real-time mentoring plan, discussion forums, a bullet tracker to document accomplishments, and the ability to dialogue online with your mentor. A resource page is also available to assist both parties with mentoring questions and relationships.

"Networking and speaking with people is a good way to find a mentor," said Staff Sgt. Yolanda Kain, 56th FSS promotions NCO in charge. "Find someone who you can relate to, who is well rounded and who you can trust."

A career in the Air Force can be challenging.  A mentor can help to ease the challenges and guide Airmen to solution.  Mentors are not there to give Airmen a definitive answer to a question, but rather to share knowledge that enables Airmen to make an educated decision themselves.

"If you're stressing out, it'd probably be best to find a mentor to help you," Kain said. "In hard times,  a mentor might have techniques that can help you. They may have gone through similar situations and might know what to do or have ideas you may not have thought of. Mentors can help by sharing what worked for them and what didn't in their career paths as well."

"If you don't have a mentor, find one," Turnage said. "The Air Force is always changing and a mentor can be beneficial throughout your career.

"Mentoring and networking are two of the most important things for leaders to embrace," said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. "Mentoring represents an investment -- one where we may not know the impact until many years later.  No matter your age, it's important to help each other," James said. "Seek a mentor and be a mentor."