Guiding the next generation

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sharida Jackson
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Being a member of the Air Force often comes with unique challenges. Many Airmen seek guidance from leaders when dealing with various challenges from training, to supervising and promotion.

The Kaiserslautern Military Community Mentorship Program held its first mentoring event Jan. 15, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Established in 2002, National Mentoring Month takes place each January and focuses on mentee goals, objective feedback and guidance.

"Our goal is to invest in our enlisted personnel to help them grow personally and professionally," said Senior Airman Richard Hellen, 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron patrolman and KMC Mentorship Program coordinator.

Mentors play an important role in the lives of Airmen by providing them with tools to make sensible decisions, helping them stay focused and avoiding unsafe behavior.

"I wanted a mentor because there are many things I can learn from people that have more experience than I do," said Airman 1st Class Fu Chiung Miller, 83rd Network Operations Squadron storage technician.

The KMC Mentorship Program gives Airmen the opportunity to learn from NCOs and Senior NCOs experience and wealth of knowledge. Within the program, mentors provide one-on-one interaction and are paired with mentees for a minimum four-month period and set their own schedule or sessions together.

"Our program is great for anyone looking to guide the next generation of leaders," Hellen said.

More than 70 individuals attended the mentor-pairing event. Program coordinators intend to hold similar events every quarter.

"It's extremely important for us to have mentors because they help pave the way," said Hellen. "No one can do it by themselves; we all need a little help and guidance."