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Mentorship-Through the eyes of a SNCO

By Airman 1st Class Andrew Crawford, 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs / Published December 17, 2013

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE N.D. -- The impact of an experienced leader on a young Airman's life and career can be immeasurable.

The knowledge gained over time can be passed onto a younger generation to help build the force's overall strength.

"Now, more than ever, it is crucial for Airmen to be mentored, because it provides those face-to-face moments of open dialogue that human beings need," said Master Sgt. Christopher Owen, first sergeant. "These moments are particularly critical early in a person's career and offer a chance for the mentor-supervisor to help folks reach their goals, along with an opportunity to intervene when things are amiss."

"There is always valuable experience to be shared at any point in an Airman's career as well," said Owen. "With a million points of information available in a flash - from a computer, phone, or tablet - nothing can replace the interpersonal communication that solidifies trust and the professional growth between a protégé and the mentor."

Young Airmen today more and more need a senior leader or supervisor to step up and give them that much needed advise for not only their career but their personal life as well, said Owen. Minot can be a trying place to call home, especially because of the work under tough weather conditions. Here, maybe more than most bases, that top tier leader is needed to help guide and set Airmen up for success.

"I think it's important to mentor the Airmen of today, because it gives us the opportunity to share our knowledge and career experiences with the younger Airmen," said Master Sgt. Marlin Edwards, 5th Bomb Wing, command section superintendent. "This gives them the opportunity to learn from our mistakes without having to make the mistakes themselves along with learning from our successes, enabling them to follow a similar path we have used to be successful."

Many programs are set up for Airmen to learn the techniques to become great mentors and frontline leaders.

One of these programs is Airmen Leadership School. Each year at Minot AFB, hundreds of Airmen take the initial first step at becoming new supervisors. These new mentors and leaders are tasked with helping younger Airmen reach their maximum potential, preparing them to take on increased responsibilities and effectively performing at the next level of leadership.

"At ALS, we're giving Airmen the tools they need to become an effective supervisor and challenging them to consider what behaviors make them good leaders and mentors to others," said Senior Master Sgt. Jodi Flugel, Airman Leadership School commandant. "We hope that proper use of these tools leads them to act, not only as a boss, but as a mentor to their subordinates and anyone else they come into contact with."

Airmen that take an active approach to seek out a knowledgeable mentor will not only help themselves grow in their careers, but will be better mentors for the next generation of Airmen whom they will mentor next, said Edwards.
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