Mentoring vital to every Airman's success

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristopher Levasseur
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The first few years of an Airman's career are the most vital. During this time, Airmen have to learn a new job in a new place with a new lifestyle. This can be a very stressful time in an Airman's life, and that's why mentoring is so important.

In my first year as an Airman, I went through difficult times learning my job and getting to know what Air Force life is like. I can honestly say that without my mentor, I probably wouldn't be here today.

According to Air Force Policy Directive 36-34, mentoring is a fundamental responsibility of all Air Force supervisors. They must know their people, accept personal responsibility for them and be accountable for their professional development.

But is mentoring restricted to supervisors alone? Conceptually, mentoring is often described as a close, developmental relationship between experienced and less experienced individuals. Anyone can be a mentor, even your wingman.

From the moment you step foot off the bus at Lackland Air Force Base to the moment you decide to leave the military, one thing is pounded into your head - and that's the wingman concept.

Your wingman should be the first step in your mentorship chain. He or she should be the first person you go to if you have a problem, need someone to talk to or need advice, professional or personal.

If you cannot get the help or information you need from your wingman, then you should go to your supervisor.

Being a mentor doesn't mean that you have all the answers. A strong mentor is one that knows how to get the answers. Mentoring also entails leading by example.

Some of the best mentoring experiences of my life involved my mentor helping me find the answers I need and not just handing them to me. Mentoring is designed to give you knowledge and experience, not a quick answer.

So many people have helped me out in my Air Force career, from supervisors to co-workers, but one thing my first supervisor said to me really stuck and that was "Nobody is expecting you to be perfect, if you need help, personal or professional, don't be afraid to ask."

Since then I have called on her more times than I can count, and she has always been there for me.

Taking that into account, I want to leave you with one last piece of advice; supervisors, mentors and Airmen remember, nobody is perfect, if you need help, ask and if you can help, do.