Leadership program highlights mentoring

By Tina Ray
Paraglide

January 12, 2012

Fort Bragg raised mentoring awareness with a Leadership Development Program, held Thursday, at Sports USA. With January recognized as National Mentoring Month, the program was held to spotlight the positive effect that mentoring can have on young lives.

The Leadership Development Program was coordinated by Maj. Gen. Rodney O. Anderson, deputy commanding general, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, who has previously said that leadership development is one of the five priorities, along with developing a mix of capabilities for the future and continuing the commitment to the military profession.

The program seemed well received by Soldiers.

“The way the military is changing the last 10 years, we’ve been concentrating on conflict and now we have to think about conflict resolution — how do I train Soldiers to live on a day-to-day basis here in garrison, said Sgt. Maj. Sean Rice, 82nd Sustainment Brigade.

Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Watson agreed.

“Any time leaders come together, it shows the strength of our post here,” said Watson, a 20-year veteran and a Fayetteville native.

The Army Mentorship Program is an avenue open to Soldiers who are interested in helping others. All Soldiers in the active and reserve components, their Family members and Department of Army civilians are eligible to participate in the AMP. It is also available to retirees, cadets, veterans and contractors who have access to AKO.

It promotes learning and development among the Army’s future leaders.

Ideas reinforced at the LDP include duty, respect, honor and integrity, as well as a focus on resiliency.

Also distributed were the mentor’s rules for success that highlighted tips such as reaching out to junior officers, listening and asking questions and committing to continuous learning.

Additionally the protégé’s rules for success included cherish the mentor’s time, learn from mistakes and respect the chain of command.

For Lt. Col. Bradley Brooks, troop commander at Womack Army Medical Center, the program offered a chance for leaders to cross-pollinate ideas, he said.

Brooks said he encourages other servicemembers to become mentors.

“You can’t be a leader and not be a mentor,” he said.

For more information about mentoring, visit the Army Mentorship website at www.armyg1.army.mil/hr/mentorship/.

Share