An MQ-9 Reaper sits on the flight line at Hurlburt Field, Fla., May 3, 2014.The MQ-9 Reaper is an armed, multi-mission, medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft that is employed primarily as an intelligence-collection asset and secondarily against dynamic execution targets. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. John Bainter)

Commentaries

Recognize your responsibility as a mentor

  • Published
  • By Col. Edward Seeliger
  • 919th Medical Squadron commander
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  I have been at Duke Field for quite a few years and during this time I have had the pleasure of caring for, deploying with and serving alongside the outstanding Airmen of the 919th Special Operations Wing.

When I joined the Air Force Reserves many years ago, I set a number of goals that I wished to accomplish during my service (you have done that also, haven't you?). Over these years, I have accomplished most all of them.

One of my remaining goals is to train my replacement(s), instilling in them a sense of fairness, selflessness, empathy and responsibility toward their fellow Airmen. Organized labor calls this apprenticeship, some professions use the word preceptorship, my profession now calls it graduate medical education -- internship and residency -- and the Air Force calls it mentoring.

To me, mentoring means simply to find an "experienced" Airman - not necessarily a superior - from whom I can learn how to be a better provider, officer and Wingman. I have had many mentors over my career - some knew that they were mentoring me, but some did not. (I distinctly remember several Senior NCOs who quietly and privately corrected my incorrect uniform wear when I first arrived at Duke Field!)

All of you have others in your lives to whom you look up or seek out for advice - that person is a mentor for you. When I attend meetings or "gatherings" of other Airmen, I always quietly observe how the group dynamics change, how the leaders lead and guide the meeting to conclusion, resolving conflicts and gaining consensus toward a common goal.

I frequently see and learn new ways to obtain a given goal or objective of which I had not previously thought. The Air Force has a more formal mentoring program through which you progress to higher skills and levels of responsibility. All of you should look around you to find those in your work area or squadron who can serve as role models and guides for you as you progress through your Air Force careers.

It is the responsibility of each of you to recognize your responsibility as a mentor to your fellow Airmen. In some cases it will be a formal mentoring role (supervisor to trainee), but many (most?) times, it will be a more informal role where you simply give someone else advice or direction.

Always remember that sometimes you may not even know that you are mentoring those with whom you associate. It is your responsibility to train those who will replace you - if you don't then they must make the same mistakes that you made. That is not productive, does not conserve scant resources, and may put other's lives at risk.

Be a good mentor - remember, we are part of the Air Force Special Operations Command - we are QUIET PROFESSIONALS.