1SG DeyShuan Shepherd 2021 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Is there a point where leaders no longer need mentorship? Should mentorship be mandatory? 2013-10-30T08:00:36-04:00 1SG DeyShuan Shepherd 2021

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Is there a point where leaders no longer need mentorship? Should mentorship be mandatory?

2013-10-30T08:00:36-04:00 2013-10-30T08:00:36-04:00 SSG (ret) William Martin 2022

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>MSG, I don't we ever will be absolutely without the need for mentorship. A leader will need to evaluate the needs of their soldiers.  For areas that my soldiers are weak in will conduct research if needed so that can provide the proper mentorship.

2013-10-30T08:09:58-04:00 2013-10-30T08:09:58-04:00 MSgt Private RallyPoint Member 2023

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Mentees should always imo pick their mentors; so no I feel that leadership should not making mentoring mandatory. I would say vectoring or guidance should be mandatory but I feel that mentoring is on a whole different level that requires great trust.

2013-10-30T08:23:49-04:00 2013-10-30T08:23:49-04:00 CPT Aaron Kletzing 2025

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>MSG S, interesting question. I would hope that the best leaders among us would not need their own self-improvement through mentorship to be mandated, and that they would have risen in the ranks by doing this on their own anyway. If someone says that mentorship is no longer needed at a certain pay grade, they&#39;re essentially saying that the individual has learned everything he/she needs to know as a professional -- and we both know that&#39;s both unlikely and dangerous for subordinates. I also want to thank you personally for your service, and seeing as you are a MSG, I suspect you have mentored many Soldiers, NCOs, and Officers along the way -- so thank you for helping keep the force strong. Best wishes and thanks again for the great question.

2013-10-30T08:27:30-04:00 2013-10-30T08:27:30-04:00 CMC Robert Young 2028

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>There is never a point in the development of a professional leader that they are not in need of a solid mentor. There will always be people who by virtue of experience and training know more and have greater insights. We cheat ourselves by not seeking them out and following in their footsteps. We are likewise required as leaders to pay that forward to those who are in our charge and care. All of the good commands of which I have been a part had structured mentor programs particularly for junior enlisted and newly commissioned officers. Having mandatory mentors with a well developed supporting program would benefit us all.

2013-10-30T09:07:03-04:00 2013-10-30T09:07:03-04:00 COL Private RallyPoint Member 2029

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>MSG Sheperd, mentorship can be very powerful. I have always thought that mentorship is a continuous process, whether the mentor knows it or not, they are often providing examples to their subordinates -- things/actions for them to emulate or things/actions for them to steer clear of. <br><br>Mentorship should be something that a subordinate and superior both seek as it helps both the subordinate in gaining a perspective from someone they look up to and it helps the mentor in helping to mold the future of our Army/Military. Being a mentor is a privilege. Leaders should WANT and SEEK ways of mentoring subordinates. Those subordinates ARE the future of the Army. <br><br>When I was a LT I had a mentor that explained to me that one way or another each leader will leave a legacy. No assignment in the military is permanent and eventually you will leave<br /> -- your legacy will remain long past your time within that <br />organization. The legacy you leave is your choice; good or bad it is all on how you leave the organization and influence those within that organization that matter.<br>

2013-10-30T09:15:00-04:00 2013-10-30T09:15:00-04:00 1SG DeyShuan Shepherd 2042

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>AWESOME responses. I posted this question because I am sure that there are a great many among us that do not understand what the word MENTORSHIP really means or it's importance. I was told twice as a First Sergeant by two different Command Sergeants Major that they were not going to mentor First Sergeants. They were true to their word. I was always taught to pour into everyone I met exactly what I had and it would pay dividends. At a minimum mentor two levels down. I pride myself on learning from everyone so that I can have different tools in my toolbag. Good, bad, or indifferent.

2013-10-30T10:44:16-04:00 2013-10-30T10:44:16-04:00 CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member 2056

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Isn’t mentorship about taking care of your own? Whether it’s a fellow junior enlisted, NCO, Officer or Warrant. If you feel that you are not being mentored, then you should strive to find that one individual that will mentor you. In the case of a CSM refusing to mentor a 1SG in my opinion would be wrong by all sorts. I will never know everything not do i claim tp. There have been some good points made in this forum. Mentorship is never ending and can be used to everyone’s advantage.

2013-10-30T12:24:51-04:00 2013-10-30T12:24:51-04:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 2061

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Great question for discussion MSG Shepherd. I do believe mentorship continues at all levels, I know that I enjoy receiving mentorship and I enjoy passing knowledge on to others when the opportunity presents itself.  Mentorship is not neccessarily something that has to be passed from one leader to another either. Mentorship can include learning through reading (Leadership and Motivational books are a good resource) the same as setting the right example for others to follow can be considered mentoring. As long as you have room to grow mentorship should be part of your growth.<br>

2013-10-30T12:41:43-04:00 2013-10-30T12:41:43-04:00 CPT Benjamin Faw 2089

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I believe mentorship never stops. If we look at the highest levels of service (such as our command and chief the President), we still see the example of mentorship. Th idea of making it "mandatory" and "required" is an interesting concept that could add significant value (perhaps included in some way in the evaluation reports process?

2013-10-30T15:09:06-04:00 2013-10-30T15:09:06-04:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 2138

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>MSG S, I feel that mentorship never ends because it does not necessarily have to come from your chain of command.  As a cadet and young LT, I sought mentorship from an officer that at one point was over me and who I kept in touch with as we both moved around (I still keep in touch with him and still ask for his advice).  As an S2, I was directly under the XO and BC, but it was the S3 who took me in.  In CMD, again I learned from the BC and BDE CDR, but (I was a young CDR) it was senior CDRs who were on 2nd CMDs who I stuck close to.  So while it was sad that your former CSMs refused to mentor you, I've found there are always people learn from and lean on.<div><br></div><div>And making mentorship a requirement would just put bureaucracy into a more personal matter. </div>

2013-10-30T18:33:28-04:00 2013-10-30T18:33:28-04:00 Spc 1 J W. 2174

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Mentoring is essential.  I have seen people take better care of equipment than they have mentoring someone.  Equipment maintenance is no doubt important our military hardware has high dollar values.  The mechanic is going to take care of the truck, aircraft, or armored vehicle, who is going to take care of the mechanic?  It takes a lot of time and money to recruit and train personnel from raw civilian to soldier, sailor, airman, Marine or Coast guardsman.  When you mentor you make the person better as well as yourself and your unit.  You have the experience, share your knowledge don't take it with you.  Don't guard it like it's a national secret.  Mentoring doesn't have to be a big ugly thing.  Some of the best mentoring I received only took a few minutes or a series short talks.<br>

2013-10-30T22:15:19-04:00 2013-10-30T22:15:19-04:00 MSG Private RallyPoint Member 2385

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I thought mentorship came with being in the military and naturally occured through on the spot corrections, counselings (both positive and negative), as well as other methods. I will say that in some instances mentoring is needed and not given, offered or accessible. I know for myself I make it a point to talk to my peers and seniors and receive feedback from them on various aspects of my career. Many have taken me under their wing and have given me a wealth of knowledge that has greatly enhanced my career within the military. By the same token I make it a point to sit down with my junior soldiers and share the knowledge that I have gained and help guide their career. My recruiter told me before I signed up for the military that I will not be successful on my own and that I would need to network and be open to criticism and mentoring. I would say there is never a point where leaders no longer need mentorship as the old saying goes even an old dog can learn new tricks. Just my two cents :)! 

2013-11-01T15:19:06-04:00 2013-11-01T15:19:06-04:00 Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member 2402

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I believe mentorship is critical at all levels, so you can never be in a place where it's not needed. It's important to realize mentorship can come from a variety of sources, not just one individual. You can receive mentorship from one person on education, another on career path, and so on. <br /><br />The issue with making mentorship mandatory, is that many of the benefits would be lost in a formal "forced" process. The best and most effective mentorship relationships are organic, and include mutual growth.

2013-11-01T16:22:33-04:00 2013-11-01T16:22:33-04:00 Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member 2633

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Leadership &amp;amp; mentorship go hand-in-hand. John Maxwell said it best, &quot;Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.&quot;

2013-11-02T12:28:39-04:00 2013-11-02T12:28:39-04:00 SFC Michael Hasbun 3117

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I feel mentorship is important, but with the caveat that the military needs to ENSURE that it only places those of the highest quality into leadership positions. A subpar leader can provide the Army with generations of subpar Soldiers and "leaders" with their mentorship.

2013-11-04T12:33:44-05:00 2013-11-04T12:33:44-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 3149

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I do not believe mentorship should be mandatory but I whole<br />hardly believe that it is important. I strive to learn from the senior leadership<br />that I fall under. Getting the point of view from someone who has seen it all<br />seems more valuable than getting from the junior leader who is still learning.<br /><br />

2013-11-04T15:21:57-05:00 2013-11-04T15:21:57-05:00 Cpl Ray Fernandez 3154

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Honestly MSG, I don't think a good leader needs to be told to be a mentor, they seek opportunities to develop and mentor those they lead. The best leaders I've worked with took the time to help me improve my abilities by taking their own time to be involved and see what is going on rather than being forced to do it. Even the most stellar performers in a unit can do with some mentoring at the very least it will help improve the respect and bond within the unit. In the time since I left military service, I've relied on the lessons I've learned from those appointed over me years ago to help me make the best decisions possible, and I'm still in touch with many that I still consider my mentors.<br>

2013-11-04T15:39:09-05:00 2013-11-04T15:39:09-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 3163

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Mentorship is indeed important and essential to the right cultivation of someone's career. Speaking from personal experience I know how much it means to me to see someone else take an interest in assuring that I take FULL advantage of all the Army has to offer.<br /><br />I've often been told and have told my Soldiers as well that we are the best managers when it comes to our own careers but it never hurts to have that extra push of motivation and positivity to help the process streamline a little easier.<br /><br />When Leaders feel as though mentorship is no longer required, it means to say that those who no longer require mentorship have learned everything there is to learn. As a Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine/Guardsman I do not believe there will ever be a time when we know everything there is to know. We can all learn something new every day.

2013-11-04T15:49:52-05:00 2013-11-04T15:49:52-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 3177

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I don't believe it should be mandated, but there is always room to grow. This grow stagnant and you get stuck in you'r own complacency when you stop trying. 

2013-11-04T16:39:25-05:00 2013-11-04T16:39:25-05:00 1SG Eric Rice 4284

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Mentorship is and always will be needed. As far as making it mandatory I do not believe that it should be and it should just happen without being mandated. Mentorship is a 360 degree asset regardless of rank. An Officer can&amp;nbsp;be mentored by an NCO, a CSM can be mentored by a SGT, and&amp;nbsp;from peer to peer. We too often think that mentorship has to be top down and not side to side or bottom up.&amp;nbsp;In many situations&amp;nbsp;is not direct and just happens by good Leaders doing what they do best. As NCO&#39;s we are in the people business&amp;nbsp;and whether we know it or not are constantly mentoring those around us.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;

2013-11-07T10:55:13-05:00 2013-11-07T10:55:13-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 7730

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think everyone needs mentorship  and it should not matter where its coming from and should it be mandatory? I think so, it might improve us as a individuals and service members.

2013-11-18T18:16:47-05:00 2013-11-18T18:16:47-05:00 SFC Rocky Gannon 10429

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>MSG S It is very important for every soldier, from PVT to General. Everyone can learn something from the ones they serve with. And as professionals we should be teaching coaching and mentoring the younger soldiers no matter if enlisted or officers. Being in Recruiting mentorship is very important from the 79R's to the new detailed recruiters to a New Company or BN Commander. They have never been in recruiting and if we don't mentor and train them they will fail. Sure a Commander has a 1sg/CSM but with a million and one things going on in a day, they can not bee the only one training. As NCO's is our job to train and mentorship is part of training. Just my thoughts!! 

2013-11-23T16:59:56-05:00 2013-11-23T16:59:56-05:00 PO1 Chad Huffer 20207

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><br /><br /><p>To the first question; I would say that there is always an area of someone’s<br />personal or professional life where they could benefit from mentorship.</p><p><p></p> </p><br /><br /><p>For the question of "Should mentorship be mandatory?"<p></p></p><br /><br /><p> </p><p>Absolutely not, when something is mandatory, especially something like<br />mentorship; all inherent benefits of the relationship are essentially stripped<br />away and it becomes just another futile exercise in "training documented<br />is training conducted". <p></p></p><br /><br /><p> </p><p>In my experience some of the best mentoring takes place without ever<br />actually being requested or offered. It just happens...<p></p></p><br /><br /><p> </p><p>Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying there is no place for official mentoring<br />but it should be offered as an option and not forced. If you need to force<br />mentorship, then you're already failing to be a good leader/role model.<p></p></p><br /><br /><p> </p><p>One of the best leaders and mentors I know was an ETC (comms) at my first<br />command over 15 years ago.  He provided<br />some of the best mentorship to me and many others through his actions as a<br />leader and person.  He was never asked to<br />be an official mentor; he truly just led by example and definitely “practiced<br />what he preached”.  I know that for me<br />that was a very powerful influence, especially when he stood out from his peers<br />who typically had a philosophy of “do what I say, not what I do” toward junior personnel.  I remember that he would point out uniform discrepancies<br />of not only junior members but also his peers and senior officers alike, not in<br />a demeaning or disrespectful manor; but, just to bring it to their attention in<br />order to correct a mistake or as a learning opportunity.</p><p> </p><p><p>On a side note before he left the command he did get picked up for LDO.</p></p><br /><br />

2013-12-13T11:15:16-05:00 2013-12-13T11:15:16-05:00 Maj Chris Nelson 54867

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><p>Do you need air to live?  I believe the answer is a resounding yes.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p>Mentorship is Leadership.  There are 2 types of leadership; formal and informal.  Formal leaders are those that are assigned to a specific position with specific requirements. Informal are those around you that you respect and listen to.  Also remember that there are leaders and followers in any given situation...you do not have to always be the leader...nor always the follower. Mentorship can also be showing others how to perform in both roles.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p>Do you have to follow exactly everything that a mentor says? absolutely not.  Use it as a sounding board for ideas, learn new concepts, help you with the sniff test (does it smell like a bad idea?), will they tell you if something is on target or off?  Allow you to adjust target?</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p>Right, wrong or indifferent, the POTUS is the highest person in the country for a formal position....do you think that they live in a vacuume and refuse to learn anything?  I hope not...they appoint a cabinet of advisors.  CEO of a company....similar.... As soon as you no longer need a mentor or refuse to BE a mentor, you may as well crawl up in the graveyard....you are no longer valuable to the bettering of humanity.</p>

2014-02-10T12:49:37-05:00 2014-02-10T12:49:37-05:00 SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member 54872

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I strongly believe that you are either born a leader or your not. Now let me expound on that statement. I don't think that the ability to be a natural leader can be taught I don't think NCOES schools produce leaders, and I don't think any amount of mentorship can make someone a leader. However I think mentorship is 100% vital in fine tuning leadership ability. I have benefited from some absolutely great NCO Leadership in my career and they have all mentored me along the way. I am now promotable to MSG and feel confident in my ability to become a 1SG but I will continue to seek out mentorship every step along the way. Mentorship is required in every rank, position, and career field. I am sure Gen Odienro still receives some mentorship from officers from his past as well as SMA Chandler seeking mentorship from his peers at the Senior enlisted level of the armed forces and his predecessors. Again I think true leaders are born not made but even the true leaders have mentorship to become great leaders. I don't think it ever stops nor should it. No one is perfect in this world and especially not in the Army. <div><br></div><div>Recognizing the need for mentorship is one of a leaders strongest traits to self improvement. </div>

2014-02-10T12:53:48-05:00 2014-02-10T12:53:48-05:00 CW5 Sam R. Baker 253453

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Here are some tips and rules for good, solid mentorship by Melanson:<br /><br />Mentor Rules:<br /><br />When initiating any discussion on mentoring, a natural question to ask is where to begin? Do you start with the mentor or the one being mentored (protégé)? Well the contributions of both participants are important, mentoring successes or failures most often depend upon the skills of the mentor. If the mentor is not prepared to do his or her job, then the entire mentoring process may be ineffective and, consequently, discourage the protégé from any future mentoring opportunities. It is hoped that by considering these 10 simple rules, mentors, present and future, will be better prepared to assume this very important role <br /><br />#1 It's Not About You!<br />#2 Always Maintain Confidences<br />#3 Set and Enforce Boundaries<br />#4 Know Your Limitations<br />#5 Keep Your Promises<br />#6 Listen and Ask Questions<br />#7 Reach Out to Junior Officers<br />#8 Don't Sugarcoat Feedback<br />#9 Be Yourself<br />#10 Commit to Continuous Learning<br /><br />Protégé Rules:<br /><br />The key points of the above rules include remembering that mentoring is about the protégé, not the mentor. Confidences must always be maintained to ensure trust. The mentor needs to set and enforce boundaries in the relationship to ensure professionalism. A mentor must know his or her limitations when giving guidance or advice. Promises made by the mentor need to be kept if the relationship is to last. During the mentoring, the senior officer must use effective listening and should refrain from simply telling the protégé what to do in order to develop problem-solving skills in the protégé. Potential mentors must be approachable if junior officers are to feel comfortable in seeking them out as mentors. Feedback needs to be specific and, when necessary, include constructive criticism. Mentors must understand themselves and develop a mentoring style that is authentic and consistent with who they really are. Finally, mentors need to dedicate themselves to continuous learning, technically, tactically, and as mentors. <br /><br />#1 Cherish your Mentor's Time<br />#2 Always Maintain Confidences<br />#3 Learn from Your Mistakes<br />#4 Be Receptive to Feedback<br />#5 Keep Your Promises<br />#6 Genuinely Consider Advice Given<br />#7 Clarify Your Expectations<br />#8 Respect the Chain of Command<br />#9 Bring More Than Just Your Problems<br />#10 Commit to Continuous Learning<br /><br />You will notice some very similar rules for both parties involved and that is not on accident. I cherish being a mentor and thankful for the ones who were ahead of me and taught me how to do it right!

2014-09-24T09:39:50-04:00 2014-09-24T09:39:50-04:00 SGT Richard H. 253458

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Mentorship isn't important. <br /><br /><br />It's VITAL.

2014-09-24T09:41:51-04:00 2014-09-24T09:41:51-04:00 Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member 370754

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Here's a great article on mentoship from 99U. It's short, to the point, and has some great insight. (not to mention Mr Myiagi art). It's a good read for both mentors, and those searching for a mentor. <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> <img src="https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/link_data_pictures/images/000/006/287/qrc/mentee572x429.png?1443029199"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="http://99u.com/articles/36393/how-to-find-a-mentor?utm_source=99U&amp;utm_campaign=845498878b-Weekly_12_08_2014&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_bdabfaef00-845498878b-148969869">This Is Why You Don&#39;t Have a Mentor</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description">Finding a mentor doesn&#39;t have an endgame. It&#39;s an ongoing process that requires checking your ego at the door.</p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div>

2014-12-15T10:52:04-05:00 2014-12-15T10:52:04-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 373715

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I agree with the comments elsewhere here that leadership and mentorship are two distinctly unique categories, but aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. Mentorship should be ongoing and everyone, no matter how accomplished, can always continue to learn, tweak, and improve. Besides, best practices are always evolving, and so should we as technology, people, and the environment continue to evolve. <br /><br />To sum it up in someone else's words; long ago, a mentor told me about a quote by Ray Kroc: "When you're green, your growing. When you're ripe, you rot."

2014-12-17T02:42:23-05:00 2014-12-17T02:42:23-05:00 MSG Alfred Aguilar 1227891

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I am all for mentorship, both parties benefit from it however, I don't believe it should be mandatory. It has more value if it is voluntary.

2016-01-11T02:27:08-05:00 2016-01-11T02:27:08-05:00 2013-10-30T08:00:36-04:00