Get Aboard the Mentor Ship

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

01.16.2020

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Mitchell Banks 

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

The month of January is recognized as National Mentorship Month to promote mentoring in the United States. The Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) are encouraged to be vigilant in their career paths by seeking mentorship.
According to the John C. Stennis instruction on the career mentorship program, the command encourages all officers and enlisted personnel aboard the John C. Stennis to obtain a personal mentor who is capable of providing instruction and guidance to promote professional and personal growth.
Although the crew members are not required to take part in the mentorship program, Sailors are still eager to discuss and take part in the mentorship process both as the mentor and the protégé.
“I believe that if a Sailor is led in the right direction, the Sailor will not only benefit themselves, but also this great Navy and our country,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Odilon Campos, from Los Angeles, the ship’s mentorship program coordinator. “Developing our next leaders, or replacements, is one of our biggest goals.”
It can be important for Navy mentors to guide their Sailors throughout their careers by supporting and developing them into the Navy’s future leaders.
“As a mentor, your whole purpose is to guide and develop aspiring adults to be better in life,” said Chief Personnel Specialist Deron Proctor, from Baltimore, a former ship’s mentorship program coordinator. “It’s about sharing some of your experiences and challenging circumstances to help them prevent making similar mistakes.”
Identifying a Sailor in need of advice can help their professional and personal life.
“I see Sailors that sometimes remind me of myself years ago and I’m motivated to help them avoid the pitfalls I went through,” said Proctor. “This assistance can help them in their Naval career and even in their personal life.”
Sometimes, a Sailor just needs someone to rely on and who they can be open with. This can allow them to feel comfortable and recognize potential problems or successes in their life.
“One of the most effective methods of mentorship is listening,” said Proctor. “A lot of times, Sailors will share their challenges and optimism and they really just want somebody to process these things with them.”
Transparency is a powerful technique that maximizes the partnership between mentors and their protégés.
“Communicating and honesty are two examples of effective mentorship,” said Campos. “Without both of these traits we are limiting our ability to develop our Sailors.”
Mentors can find advantageous outcomes from providing their Sailors effective tools.
“The benefit from mentoring is watching that Sailor succeed,” said Proctor. “My reward is knowing that I’m pouring into the Navy’s future by just contributing a little bit to these Sailors.”
Mentors should listen and adapt to the newer Sailors as they come into the Navy in order to understand their goals and experiences.
“In most cases, Sailors are 10 to 20 years younger than me and I have to see things from their perspective,” said Campos. “This allows me to provide them the best mentorship and advice that will work for the individuals.”
If you are interested in obtaining a mentor, reach out to your mentorship coordinator.
The John C. Stennis is partnering with Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) to complete Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) on schedule with a trained, resilient and cohesive crew.
For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.

• Date Taken: 01.16.2020
• Date Posted: 01.16.2020 13:52
• Story ID: 359428
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US