AFMC Mentoring

AFMC mentoring awareness campaign

Mentoring not only helps Airmen discover their strengths, but also makes strides toward achieving their full potential through a structured, trusting mentoring relationship.

Through the telling of first-person experiences, we share the impact of mentoring -- on both mentors and mentees. Here you will find a series of written viewpoints and video interviews from Airmen around the command representative of different stages of Air Force careers. Both senior leaders and junior members of the command's workforce share why mentoring is so valuable.

THE MENTORING "WHY"

What is one thing that Steve Jobs, Benjamin E. Mays, Maya Angelou and Luther Powell all have in common? All of them were mentors to individuals who accomplished great things in the world. Mr. Jobs mentored Mark Zuckerberg, Mr. Mays mentored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ms. Angelou mentored Oprah Winfrey and Mr. Powell mentored his son, retired Gen. Colin Powell.

If you already have a mentor, continue to build that bond. If you are searching for a mentor, reach out to a person you respect and want to someday emulate. Remember: mentorship is a two-way street. It takes time, effort and most of all, a willingness to open yourself up to new experiences. The effort you make today can elevate your career to the next level!

Mentoring Viewpoints

Lt Gen Robert McMurry

Lt. Gen. Robert McMurry, Air Force Materiel Command Interim Commander and Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Commander, shares his perspective on the importance of mentorship. The Air Force Materiel Command Mentorship Program uses first-person stories to share perspectives, relate experiences, and work through the challenges of mentoring. (U.S. Air Force video by Christopher Decker, Matthew Clouse, Phillip Cowen, and Ryan Law)

Mentoring Viewpoints: Lt Gen Robert McMurry

Maj Gen Carl Schaefer

Maj. Gen. Carl Schaefer, Deputy Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, shares his perspectives on the importance of mentorship, Nov. 14, 2018. AFMC shares the impact of mentoring through first-person experiences from its leaders. (U.S. Air Force Video by Matthew Clouse)

Patricia Young

Through the telling of first-person stories, Air Force Materiel Command shares the impact of mentoring as part of the command's mentoring awareness efforts. This interview with Patricia Young, AFMC Executive Director, shares her perspectives on the importance of mentorship.

Patricia Young

Maj Gen William Cooley

Mentoring: As simple as having a conversation

Maj Gen William Cooley

Brig Gen Heather Pringle

Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, Director, HQ AFMC A/5/8/9, shares her perspective on the importance of mentorship, at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Nov. 28, 2018. The Air Force Materiel Command Mentorship Program uses first-person stories to share perspectives, relate experiences and work through the challenges of mentoring. (U.S. Air Force video by Christopher Decker, Matthew Clouse, and Phillip Cowen)

Brig Gen Heather Pringle

Col Lyle Drew

Col. Lyle Drew, Commander, 78th ABW, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., shares his perspectives on the importance of mentorship, Nov. 14, 2018. Air Force Materiel Command shares the impact of mentoring through first-person experiences from its leaders. (U.S. Air Force Video by Airman 1st Class Emily Woodring)

Col Lyle Drew

Jack Blackhurst

Through the telling of first-person stories, Air Force Materiel Command shares the impact of mentoring as part of the command's mentoring awareness efforts. This interview with Jack Blackhurst, Executive Director Air Force Research Laboratory, shares his perspectives on the importance of mentorship.

Jack Blachurst

Master Sgt. Michael Stevens

Through the telling of first-person stories, Air Force Materiel Command shares the impact of mentoring as part of the command's mentoring awareness efforts. This interview with Master Sgt. Michael Stevens, USAFSAM Military Training Flight Chief, shares his perspectives on the importance of mentorship.

Master Sgt. Michael Stevens

Don Kendrick

Through the telling of first-person stories, Air Force Materiel Command shares the impact of mentoring as part of the command's mentoring awareness efforts. This interview with Mr. Don Kendrick, AFMC Senior Financial Advisor, shares his perspectives on the importance of mentorship.

Don Kendrick

Heidi Bullock

Through the telling of first-person stories, Air Force Materiel Command shares the impact of mentoring as part of the command's mentoring awareness efforts. This interview with Ms. Heidi Bullock, AFMC Director of Contracting and a member of the Senior Executive Service, shares her perspectives on the importance of mentorship.

Heidi Bullock

David Robertson

David Robertson, Executive Director, Air Force Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., shares his perspectives on the importance of mentorship, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Nov. 14, 2018. Air Force Materiel Command shares the impact of mentoring through first-person experiences from its leaders. (U.S. Air Force Video by Airman 1st Class Emily Woodring)

David Robertson

Kevin Stamey

Kevin Stamey, Executive Director, Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., shares his perspectives on the importance of mentorship, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Nov. 14, 2018. Air Force Materiel Command shares the impact of mentoring through first-person experiences from its leaders. (U.S. Air Force Video by Airman 1st Class Emily Woodring)

Kevin Stamey

Terry Edwards

Terry Edwards, Director, Air Force Civil Engineer Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, shares his perspectives on the importance of mentorship, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Nov. 14, 2018. Air Force Materiel Command shares the impact of mentoring through first-person experiences from its leaders. (U.S. Air Force Video by Airman 1st Class Emily Woodring)

Terry Edwards

Senior Leader Viewpoints

Mentoring: Why is mentoring important?
Ms. Patricia Young
AFMC Executive Director

Gui Gail Forest dance, support play role in mentoring dynamics
Gail Forest Director, AFMC Engineering & Technical Management

The princ Heidi Bullock iples of mentorship
Heidi Bullock
Director, AFMC Contracting

Do I need a mentor?
Don Kendrick
AFMC Senior Financial Advisor

MSgt Stevens Mentoring: Developing discipline & mastery
Master Sgt. Michael Stevens
Military Training Flight Chief

Mentee Viewpoints

All because of my mentors
Capt. Andrew Beckman, AFMC A5/8/9

New environment brings chances for career collaboration, mentoring
Keri Poole, Air Force Personnel Center Staffing, WPAFB

Mentors can come by way of networks, shared advice
Victoria Russell, 771st Enterprise Sourcing Squadron, AFICA

Mentors can help shape career outlook, resiliency
Rebecca Houghton, AFMC Directorate of Contracting

Mentors provide guidance, expectations amid new Air Force experiences
Mike King, 88th Force Support Development Education

Contact Us

AFMC Mentoring

AFMC.Mentoring@us.af.mil

Want to share how your mentor inspired you? Know someone whose career was influenced by a great mentoring relationship?

Then let us know! Send a message to the email address above and share your story. You may be one of our next featured video interviews or articles on this page.

MyVector

Mentoring Tips

Q: What steps should I take to secure a mentor?

A: Make a list of possible mentors according to personal criteria and desires for the mentoring relationship.

Source: Air Force Mentoring Toolkit