Who is your "mentor"?

Mine would have to be my father. 27 years serving in the Army retired Master Sergeant. He is the reason I joined the military. I have many examples that he set before me to emulate, so bear with me while I share one.

My father served in 3 wars WWII, Korea and Vietnam. While walking through the airport in Kansas City Missouri upon his return from Vietnam he was spit upon, called names, ridiculed, and had fecal matter thrown at him. Not Once did my father acknowledge any of the anti-military individuals. He continued to walk with his head up, absorbing all of their insults and hatred, and to top it off I swear to God he was smiling the whole time.

Unfortunately of the many things I inherited from my father compassion, and stoicism were not among them.

Thank you MSG Joseph F. Brown. I hope I made you proud.

I have had so many it is tough to say just one person! Each was important to me in the different stages of my life. At West Point I had some officers that really mentored me and then after graduation others that helped out.

I think the most important thing I have learned is to always look for mentors, regardless of where you are in life! A mentors hindsight can be your foresight! Never stop learning, and so much of it comes from other people.

This is some good discussion. I have a very different approach with mentors. Some of mine I have never met or have only met once. Some of them aren't even around around any more. I know what they would want done in such a situation by reading and studying them. I would say they have greatly impacted my leadership style and still are developing me.

And many others here on RP. There so too many to list.

Thomas Jefferson
CSM Don Purdy
COL Puckett