NORFOLK, Va. – Sailors from four Norfolk area commands participated in a speed mentoring training for first class petty officers in conjunction with their Chiefs in Training schedule March 11.
“It is very important to be innovative in how we communicate with sailors, especially those who are in mission-critical jobs that rarely have opportunities to take time out for a one-on-one mentoring session,” said Chief Petty Officer Tanesha Spence, speed mentor facilitator.
The training topics consisted of careers, challenges, opportunities, and mentoring. The training session consisted of ten tables, with one mentor, and five participants at each table. The mentors were senior enlisted members ranging from chief to master chief. The participants got an opportunity to discuss the topics with all the chiefs involved in 15-minute windows.
“The concept is a spin on speed dating where you spend a few moments speaking to the mentor and move on the next one,” Spence said.
The training gave the first class petty officers a chance to reflect on where they are in their careers and to get guidance from their mentors.
“The training was a great opportunity for our first class petty officers to give their inputs on how they perceive leadership and give us the opportunity to give them pointers on how they can improve their careers,” said Master Chief Information Systems Technician (SW/AW) Yvonne Kitchen, Commander, U.S. Second Fleet Staff Command Master Chief.
The speed training also served as a chance to get inputs from mentors and peers.
“This was a good personal experience because the mentors and peers opened up to each other and focused on how to better our careers,” said Master-at-Arms First Class (SW/AW) Jeremy Centeno.
During the training, many of the Sailors realized that if they had this training earlier in their careers, it would have helped them out tremendously.
“I wish they had done this years ago because I learned things I should have been doing in my career all this time, and it was outstanding to be able to get insights in what the mentor had to say and how they got to this point in their careers,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Terrence Brumsey.
The participating petty officers were not the only ones learning and soaking up information because the mentors learned a lot from the sailors.
“This gave me a chance to network with sailors from other commands who needed serious career advice regarding their rate and I am in a position to help them out,” said Chief Petty Officer Nickole Palmore-Seay.
Petty Officer 1st Class Nathaniel Billingsley from USS Wasp (LHD 1) took the training to heart and is willing to incorporate this on the ship.
“This training session opened up a million ideas and listening to my peers and chiefs really helped out and answered a lot of questions,” said Billingsley. “I am thankful to have had the opportunity to have been part of this event.”