Beyond borders: NTM-A senior leader takes on unique mentorship role

16th Sustainment Brigade
Story by Staff Sgt. Lynne Lantin

Date: 02.02.2013
Posted: 02.06.2013 05:00
News ID: 101532

By Army Staff Sgt. Lynne Lantin
NTM-A/DCOM-SPO Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan – Sgt. Maj. Donna King, the Deputy Command-Support Operations, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan’s operations sergeant major, has taken on the role as mentor to the first Afghan National Police female graduate from the Kabul Military Training Center’s sergeants major academy, Sgt. Maj. Maryam Tabish.

King, an automated logistics specialist from Monticello, Ark., met Tabish at her graduation ceremony from KMTC Dec. 12, 2012. The two spoke briefly and took a few photos together and from there began not only an enduring peer mentorship but also a friendship.

“At our first meeting, she and I discussed several topics, and we bonded instantly,” said King. “Despite the vast cultural, behavioral and lingual differences, we found that we are very similar in many ways. I made myself available for her, and she gladly accepted me as her mentor.”

The pair discussed everything from career to family and discovered that, despite their differences, they are very much the same.

“We talked about our families and found that we both come from a family of nine siblings and that we are both very family oriented,” said King. “I shared with her how I value hard work and education which is also important to her as well. She soldiers during the day and goes to school at night; at one point in my career, I did the same. I discovered that she had some of the same hopes and dreams that I do as a woman and also as a leader.”

Speaking to other Afghan women about their concerns and struggles, King said some have expressed that their family members do not want them to have anything to do with the military, while others husbands and family members are encouraging and supportive.

Tabish’s fiancée, she said, is very supportive of her having a career.

King, who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1983, said she can relate to the struggles of being a woman in the military at a time when opportunities were limited for women and gender discrimination was widespread.

“When I first joined the Army,” said King, “I was in a predominantly male-led unit. The hardest obstacle to triumph was unjustifiable slander that most females encountered. In general, I had to work harder, faster and smarter than most of my male counterparts, just to prove my merit. Once I demonstrated that I was capable of doing my job and that I could hold my own physically, I became part of the team, and it evolved into a very positive experience. Many of the prejudices that I faced early in my career decreased significantly over the years due to programs, policies and mandatory training that was implemented.”

King meets Tabish at least once a week and says mentorship is critical to the success of her development and Afghanistan’s future.

“Throughout my military career, I have had several mentors,” said King. “I realized early on there was no way that I could have made it on my own. Everybody needs somebody, which is why I reached out to her and plan to continue to make myself available for her.”

A different country, army, language and culture don’t intimidate King when it comes to mentoring soldiers. It’s a part of who she is, she said.

“Mentoring is in my heart. I know that no one can make it in this world without some form of mentorship. If given the opportunity, I will without hesitation serve as a mentor for other Afghan women to allow them to see the hope within themselves and help preserve the opportunities for them to contribute to a better future.”

“Over the years I have been a part of several mentorship programs, and I have mentored many female specialists and noncommissioned officers who have the potential to be selected and hold some of the highest positions in the Army and even more so now that the ban on women in combat has been lifted,” added King. “With proper mentorship and guidance, there is no limitation on what they can do or will become.”

King said she wants the women of Afghanistan who are considering a career in the military to know that there are many opportunities for them and with hard work, determination and belief in themselves they can accomplish their goals.

“As my parents instilled in me, hard work and education are the key to success,” said King. “Although they may face a much different challenge than what I encountered, I want them to know that all things are possible if you apply yourself and do your very best; how far you go or succeed is ultimately up to you.”

“Without doubt, once their military and other organizations recognizes what a valuable and irreplaceable resource women are and how much they can contribute, there will be even more opportunities available for them,” King added.

King said she hopes women will continue to play a role in Afghanistan’s future and reach out to help other women accomplish their goals.

“Many of the women have come to expect the right to an education, the freedom to choose their future and the opportunity to get good jobs,” said King. “I only hope in the years to come, after 2014, this type of critical work can continue. The rights of Afghan women must be protected and the opportunities for them to contribute must be preserved. In today’s world, there is plenty of evidence that indicates that no country can grow and prosper if women are exploited and marginalized.”

King was also asked to be guest speaker at the recent ceremony for the first Afghan National Army females to graduate from Regional Military Training Center-West in Herat Jan. 23. They were the first females to graduate from an ANA training center other than Kabul Military Training Center, marking the signs of progress for women in Afghanistan.

“Your hard work and dedication is a sign of commitment, courage and great character,” King told the graduates. “I am very proud of each and every one of you for taking a step in the right direction. I hope this will encourage others to join the ranks and serve in greater positions of responsibility. Continue to be a great role model and set the example for others to follow, and to want to serve and protect Afghanistan. The knowledge and experience that you have gained today will not only strengthen you, but it will also strengthen Afghanistan.”

Making a difference, said King, is what’s important to her and she hopes that one day the women of Afghanistan will have more opportunities.

“If I could just bring about a change in one Afghan woman’s life or job performance through mentoring, I will have accomplished my goal personally as well as professionally,” said King. “Women are very valuable and irreplaceable resources; if we expect for this country to continue to grow and prosper, they must be included. Through mentoring, I want to do my part to ensure that their rights are protected and the opportunities for them to contribute are preserved.”