Watching your mentee succeed, a source of personal or professional pride?

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:47:23 -0400

On uss last ship, i was unoffically chosen as a mentor to a fellow E-5. He was struggling with some life issues I'm not getting into on here and some professional issues. Shortly before I left, he did a roundturn and started to shine. So being his mentor I convinced the CoC to send him to ASTAC school (i was leaving and the ship needed a replacement). After I left they sent him. While staying in contact with me and trying to coach him through, he failed out. Mind you the attrition rate at this school is above 80%.

Well after I picked up first class he officialy became my mentee. The command decided to send him back to the school. He talked to me almost every day, getting him through. Proud to say I am attending his graduation ceremony on Monday.

To me this is a source of Personal and Professional pride knowing that I had an impact on his life and his career.

Has any other NCOs/leaders had a similar personal experience?

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 16 at 2015 9:52 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:52:22 -0400

CPO Private RallyPoint Member I don't have an answer to your question, PO1, sorry -- but I do wonder if Naval ASTAC is comparable to AF CTC? Specifically, do you get the same direct-combat training?

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 16 at 2015 9:54 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:54:03 -0400

It's both. Knowing you have helped someone else success is something to
be immensely proud of

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 16 at 2015 10:11 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 22:11:01 -0400

Not as intimate as that, however, if my NCOs had missions, I would talk about them before execution. They might think I am nosy which may be true, but I wanted them set up for success.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 11:34 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 23:34:54 -0400

CPO Private RallyPoint Member, great question. Both professional and personal. I've mentored many Soldiers and NCO's that have gone on to make the senior NCO ranks or move on to become Officers and Warrant Officers and it's always a great feeling to see them succeed. I've also develop great relationships with Officers at the junior level who are now MAJ's and LTC's and it's great to know that I had a chance to work with and advise them when they were young CPT's and LT's.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 17 at 2015 10:34 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:34:00 -0400

Yes, and there is no better feeling as a leader than to see one of yours succeed. It's a direct reflection of you as a mentor, a NCO, and as a person. Good Job!!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 17 at 2015 11:38 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:38:59 -0400

I guess being a retired O-6 means I'm no slouch, but I pushed some subordinates to do things better and go higher than I could. One multiple passed over O-5 I gave work and encouragement to and he did so well, he made O-6 and was the Oil Sector Chair (get the damn production going) in Iraq. Another great female officer made flag and retired after her second star job. So, it's always nice to see the kids do well. So it's personal with me as that's the job you're supposed to do. Help them get the job done, grow more capable, and bring them home safe.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 11:58 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:58:35 -0400

Both. I absolutely love having people who have worked for or with me in some capacity be successful. Whether that is promotion, selection for a special program, an award, or anything else, their success means that to some extent I did a good job. Taking care of those who work hard for us is potentially one of our most important roles as leaders.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Aug 17 at 2015 12:44 PM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:44:13 -0400

I think it's definitely both - and this is a gift that everyone has to some degree (we can all help others in some way) and you seem to have excelled with this case - good for you! Focus on improving your skill set and perhaps leading, mentoring and guiding others to new and higher heights! Keep up the good work!

You (everyone) can make a difference in someone today!

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 1:11 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 13:11:34 -0400

The way I look at this as a whole is that being a Mentor not only sets someone up for success later in their career and life but also gives that person the opportunity to transform from the mentee to mentor. If done correctly, the Mentorship ideal will always be a good push in the right direction and cause a perpetual string of nothing but professionalism and success.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 1:40 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 13:40:08 -0400

Good on you CPO Private RallyPoint Member, way to be a good mentor.

Last year, 2 of my first troops made SSgt on their first attempt. I contacted both of them to congratulate them, and both responded thanking me for the mentorship I gave them and helping them get to this point. I will admit that I teared up with pride. Somehow I felt more pride in their accomplishment than I did when I myself attained the very same rank.

Now, I have to hurry up and make the next rank. I CAN'T let them surpass me lol. Busting my butt studying for E6 using this as my motivation.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 17 at 2015 3:04 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:04:21 -0400

I think the personal and professional pride go back and force through a membrane. I identified a young soldier who was hard core about everything she did. I told her I was going to send her to OCS, so I prepared her for the process to include the interviews and the local OCS board. She is an officer now. It is easy to propel soldiers who kick ass in every facet of their lives.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 17 at 2015 5:42 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 17:42:48 -0400

CPO Private RallyPoint Member It absolutely is. The success of the folks that you work with and train is, while for the most part theirs to enjoy, also a matter worthy of reflection and inner pride for yourself. When you can help someone achieve, you should feel a sense of accomplishment. It is our job to train our replacements to be better than we were. Good job. The bonus is that he will hopefully be a stronger NCO for having struggled.