Mentor day: Every day at Hurlburt

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kentavist P. Brackin
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Jan. 16 was "Thank Your Mentor Day," a day many mentoring programs around the nation selected as an official day for volunteer recognition.

The day was part of an even larger campaign known as National Mentoring Month, held in January to promote youth mentoring across the U.S.

The campaign celebrates the positive effects mentoring can have on young people while promoting awareness of the need to increase mentors and mentorship programs.

"I've always been a big fan of mentorship," said Senior Master Sgt. Scott Reed, 1st Special Operations Forces Support Squadron career assistance advisor. "I wouldn't be where I am today without a few good senior [NCO] mentors in my tenure who took the time to help me develop my skill sets, both personally and professionally."

On Hurlburt Field, several unique mentorship programs are available to Airmen, young and old.

"Sometimes in life we go through things, and we think we're the only ones, but that's not the case," said Tech. Sgt. Charity Grant, 1st SOFSS Vincent Airman Leadership School instructor. "Mentorship helps you remove those blinders."

Grant said the ALS staff offers speed mentoring, which is similar to speed dating.

"It's dozens of people looking for the right match, cycling through fixed five-minute conversations to quickly sort out prospective mentors," she said. "Imagine meeting your future potential mentor or protégé and building on a professional connection."

Other mentorship outlets Airmen can seek out include Airmen's Voice, Focus 5/6 or requesting a mentor online through the Air Force Portal.

"Mentoring is an ongoing process for building a professional relationship that fosters communication concerning careers, competencies, behavior, and organizational missions," Reed said. "I would recommend everyone take advantage of these programs to better themselves."

To request a mentor through the Portal, click on "My Development Plan" followed by selecting the "Mentor Network" tab under "My Account."

"If an Airman see's someone who they really bond with during a briefing, work or even at lunch - they can go to the AF Portal and request them as a mentor," Grant said. "They simply need to know their first and last name to request them."

For more information about mentorship programs, contact a first sergeant.