Mentoring program key to CGOs

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, MASS. – The Company Grade Officers Council here recently launched a new program to provide CGOs an opportunity to grow leadership skills through direct interaction and mentorship with senior leaders.

The Senior Leader Shadow Program is one of three initiatives the CGOC developed last year to foster a culture of professional development.

“The Senior Leader Shadow Program provides lieutenants and captains the opportunity to pair with Hanscom senior leaders and see firsthand what kind of meetings they are involved in, what kind of decisions they make and why they make them, as well as get some valuable one-on-one coaching,” said 1st Lt. James P. Maslyn, CGOC treasurer.

The mentoring program is open to all Hanscom company grade officers. The program is also in search of majors and above and senior civilians from the program offices or 66th Air Base Group to serve as mentors.

“The mentoring program is ideal for all, particularly to those acquisition CGOs who want to learn more about installation support, or vice versa,” said 2nd Lt. Katherine Carr, a program coordinator. “Mentoring promotes a diverse and high-performing team across the installation and throughout the Air Force.”

Tanya Lambert, C3I and Networks Directorate deputy program executive officer, highlighted the value of mentoring Airmen.

“I want to build and leave a legacy, wherever I go, of helping new employees more quickly adapt to the Air Force core values, connect to the mission and value public service,” she said. “We need mentors who have made choices to serve, who can provide insight into career broadening and what it means to leave a fun job for a more challenging job, all to be a more well-rounded officer.”

The goals of the shadow program include personal leadership style development, time management development, meeting preparation skills, big picture perspective and career progression.

Maslyn also discussed the roles and responsibilities of CGO involvement.

“Company grade officers must receive permission from their frontline supervisors in order to participate,” he said. “They are free to shadow a senior leader inside or outside their organization for up to three days to gain the most from the experience.”

Other requirements include providing an official biography to the senior leader prior to shadowing and providing a post-shadowing brief to their respective organization of lessons learned and perspectives gained from participation.

“Mentoring helps Airmen reach their maximum potential and prepare them for increased responsibility,” Carr said. “No matter how long you’ve been at Hanscom, seek a mentor, be a mentor.”

The committee is looking to expand the program to civilians later this year.

To learn more about mentoring in the Air Force, visit http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afman36-2643/afman36-2643.pdf.

For further information, or to get involved as a mentor or mentee, contact Carr at 781-225-5393 or by email at katherine.carr.2@us.af.mil.