Hanscom civilian employees added to CGO-run mentoring program Published Sept. 22, 2017 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The Company Grade Officer Council here recently expanded its Senior Leader Shadow Program to include government civilian employees. The program, which was only available to company grade officers, now provides mentorship opportunities to GS-7 and above employees with the goal of fostering civilian leadership. “The Company Grade Officer Council recognized that the mentorship program would be even stronger if we included our civilian teammates,” said 2nd Lt. Katherine Carr, the program’s mentorship chair. “We have always had a number of senior civilians serve as mentors. Why not include eligible GS employees as mentees to strengthen the program even further?” To get involved, Carr said interested employees must first send an email to Hanscom.CGOC@us.af.mil with ‘Senior Leader Shadow Program’ in the subject line. Program coordinators will then email those interested a diverse list of potential military and civilian mentors. “The list of senior leader mentors will include a broad range of career fields and backgrounds,” said Carr, who notes mentees need not pick one within their directorate or career field. “The goal of the mentoring program is to develop leadership capabilities for our junior military and civilian personnel through direct interaction and mentorship with senior leaders. That’s not career-field specific.” She highlighted the objectives are for the mentees to develop leadership style and time management, improve meeting preparation, gain big picture perspective and receive advice on career progression. Senior leader mentors include GS-14 and above and lieutenant colonel and above. “Those interested are encouraged to speak with their direct supervisor before participating,” Carr said. “Be sure to communicate how much time they will spend shadowing the senior leader.” The program provides mentees the opportunity to shadow senior leaders for up to three days. “Civilians may shadow up to as the approved amount by their supervisor and their senior leader,” said Carr. Military members are required to include a career brief and biography to the senior leader prior to meeting with them. Civilians are required to provide a resume to the senior leader before they participate. All participants must submit a ‘Lesson Learned’ report to the supervisor and Hanscom CGOC email at Hanscom.CGOC@us.af.mil following the mentoring. “In order to track the benefits of the program, we ask that mentees provide a post-shadowing brief to the CGOC and their unit leadership reflecting on lessons learned and perspective gained,” Carr said. In addition to the Senior Leader Shadow Program, all military members and government civilians have access to MyVector, a web-based mentoring network that allows mentees to manage their career development with input and guidance from a mentor. MyVector offers a real-time mentoring plan, discussion forum, a bullet tracker to document accomplishments, and the ability to dialogue with a mentor. There is also a resource page available to assist both parties with mentoring questions and relationships. Additionally, the Air Force developed an Air Force instruction specific to mentoring. 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. “Whatever formal or informal mentoring members of the workforce choose, it’s important to search out someone who can strengthen leadership capability,” Carr said. “A mentor can make a profound difference in your career and life. Mentoring can help maximize someone’s potential.” 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 or Capt. Charneice McKenzie at 781-225-3365 or through the Hanscom CGOC email at Hanscom.CGOC@us.af.mil.