Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 11-13-15

Nov. 13, 2015 Commentary Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
2 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb

/($' The importance of mentorship

/8.((032:(5,1*$,50(16'(9(/230(17 by Lt. Col. personnel struggling with the same issues faced by those
SCOTT LINCK who came before. Leaders need to establish meaningful con-
YOU’VE BEEN INVITED TO THE nections with subordinates to foster and develop the diverse
ANNUAL L.E.A.D BLOCK PARTY! 71st Student Squadron commander strengths, perspectives, and capabilities of all Airmen.

FOOD! DRINKS! GAMES!!! When I worked at U.S. Africa Command, the organization These connections are arguably more critical in a time
A G O O D T I M E F O R Y O U A N D Y O U R FA M I LY. took steps to connect its member countries and cultures, to RIÀVFDODXVWHULW\DQGVKULQNLQJIRUFHVWUXFWXUH(DFKUH-
COME OUT AND JOIN US AT FOWLER PARK include referencing local proverbs during meetings. maining Airman becomes more important, increasing the
S U N D AY, 3 : 3 0 TO 5 : 3 0 P. M . need for leaders to develop structured programs to pass
The most frequently mentioned saying was, “If you want wisdom, information and advice.
ACTION LINE to travel fast, travel alone; if you want to travel far, travel
together.” :KHUH WR EHJLQ" $)0$1 SURYLGHV WKH EDVLF
56fw.pa@us.af.mil information needed to establish a mentoring program. It
This was an effective rallying cry that reminded various outlines the roles of mentor and mentee, how communica-
The Commander’s Action Line organizations within the command that success wasn’t tion is passed between the two parties, suggests goals for
is your direct line to me with ques- measured by individual achievements but by the success the program, and provides links to additional resources.
tions or suggestions about subjects of the entire team.
of concern to the entire Luke Air From there the path is up to you. As an example, the
Force Base community. For any team to achieve sustained, ever-increasing suc- 71st Student Squadron established a mentoring program
cess it needs to do more than just work well together. It FHQWHUHG EHWZHHQ ÁLJKW FRPPDQGHU DQG VWXGHQW SLORW
I appreciate your feedback. needs a process to refresh and grow leaders from within. 7KH\PHHWÀYHWLPHVGXULQJWUDLQLQJHVVHQWLDOO\KDYLQJD
Your ideas and concerns help conversation each time the student transitions to or from
build a stronger foundation on 7KDW SURFHVV LV PHQWRUVKLS $V GHÀQHG E\ $LU )RUFH each training phase.
which we can successfully com- 0DQXDO ´$LU )RUFH 0HQWRULQJ 3URJUDPµ PHQ-
plete our mission and take care of torship is “a relationship in which a person with greater Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with partici-
our people. experience and wisdom guides another person to develop pants reporting they are consistently learning new things
both personally and professionally. This relationship will about themselves and the Air Force, preparing the mentees
To receive a response, leave %ULJ*HQ6FRWW3OHXV help achieve mission success and motivate Airmen to to successfully assume future leadership roles.
your name and telephone number. 56th FW commander achieve their career objectives.”
Action Lines of general interest are 0HQWRULQJLVEHVWGHÀQHGDVDSURFHVVRIHQJDJHPHQW1R
printed in the Thunderbolt. Remember, the quickest and Although mentorship has been around for a number of one can mentor without connection. Leaders must actively
PRVWHIÀFLHQWZD\WRUHVROYHDSUREOHPLVWRWDONGLUHFWO\WR years, it hasn’t been widely implemented. This could be due seek out opportunities to establish these connections to
the responsible agency or through your chain of command. to high operations tempo, limited understanding of how to es- ensure all members of the Air Force team are prepared to
tablish a mentoring program, or frequent personnel changes. “travel far and travel together.”
The Action Line isn’t just for complaints. Send along
your kudos when someone provides exceptional service, Whatever the reason, it is time to break the cycle of new
goes out of their way to help or deserves a kind word.
Lead the way: Be the spark to set fire
PHONE NUMBERS
by Senior Master Sgt. subordinates, your senior leaders, are explained beyond the order. Tying
Airman and Family Readiness Center ....................... 623-856-6550 MICHAEL ROXBERRY and within yourself. actions to something much greater
Chapel ................................................................... 623-856-6211 than local directives and then em-
Child Care Center ...................................................623-856-6339 23rd Operations Support Squadron +RZGR\RXVWDUWDÀUHLQ\RXUVXE- powering your Airmen to do it will
Community Center ............................................... 623-856-7152 ordinates? It is always easier said than LQHYLWDEO\FUHDWHÀUH
Computer IT service desk .................................. DSN 945-2900 As a leader, do not let your ego get done. The simple answer is to inspire
Eye Clinic ............................................................. 623-856-7965 in the way. Stand tall, but not above them to not only want to do more, but ,JQLWLQJDÀUHLQ\RXUVXERUGLQDWHV
Fitness Center ....................................................... 623-856-6241 everyone else. Do not tell people what to do more while performing their is very important, but you must also
Flight Medicine .................................................... 623-856-2273 to do, show them. Showing them is absolute best. Actions such as these create one in those above your rank.
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................ 623-856-6149 what leading is all about. When you take more than simply commanding Developing a spark in your senior
Hobby shop .......................................................... 623-856-6722 show them, you are creating that an action to occur, they require setting leadership is not easy and takes
+RXVLQJRI¿FH spark. a standard, holding others to the stan- WLPHEXWRQFHWKHÀUHLVEXUQLQJWKH
Law enforcement desk ......................................... 623-856-5970 dard, and, most of all, becoming that VN\ LV WKH OLPLW %H WKDW VHQLRU 1&2
Legal assistance .................................................... 623-856-6901 0XFK OLNH D ÀUH LW DOO VWDUWV ZLWK standard yourself. Simply establishing your leaders go to for information and
Library .................................................................. 623-856-7191 a small spark. It started the minute and enforcing a standard will not cre- solutions. Supply your answers with
Marketing ............................................................. 623-856-3245 you stepped off the bus at basic train- ate the spark. It will take inspiration research and options and become their
Military Equal Opportunity ................................. 623-856-7711 ing and continues throughout your and motivation. sounding board and trusted advisor.
Military pay .......................................................... 623-856-7028 entire career. At each critical stage of
2I¿FHRI6SHFLDO,QYHVWLJDWLRQ .............................623-856-6821 your career, you received everything 0RWLYDWLRQFDQFRPHLQPDQ\IRUPV One of the best things you can do
Outdoor Recreation .............................................. 623-856-6267 necessary to become a leader. What such as awards, praise and especially to help inspire your superiors is to
Pass and registration ............................................. 623-856-4880 LWWDNHVQRZLVÀUHWKHGULYHWRZDQW empowerment. Airmen, today more become a humble, approachable and
Patient advocate ................................................... 623-856-8968 to be a great leader. than ever, want to be empowered and credible leader. With these leader-
Public Affairs ........................................................ 623-856-5853 part of something bigger than them. ship traits, your leadership can
Security Forces ..................................................... 623-856-5970 Sometimes, a single torch is not $VDVHQLRUQRQFRPPLVVLRQHGRIÀFHU become comfortable making critical
Straight Talk Line ................................................. 623-856-7064 enough to light the way. If you want you must create an atmosphere where
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response .................. 623-856-4878 the Air Force to glow, you will need orders are not simply given, but tasks See SPARK, Page 10
Vehicle Maintenance ............................................ 623-935-6576 WRVSUHDGWKHÀUH6WDUWDÀUHLQ\RXU
Veterinary services ............................................... 623-856-6354
Wellness Center .................................................... 623-856-2273 Luke Editorial Staff 7KH7KXQGHUEROWXVHVPDWHULDOIURPWKH$UPHG)RUFHV,QIRUPDWLRQ6HUYLFH$LU
Youth Center ......................................................... 623-856-7470 )RUFH1HZV6HUYLFH$(7&1HZV6HUYLFHDQGRWKHUVRXUFHV$OODGYHUWLVLQJLVKDQGOHG
Commander.......................................................... Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus E\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZ7KH\FDQEHUHDFKHGE\FDOOLQJ
Public Affairs chief ...................................................... Maj. Matt Hasson
Public Affairs deputy chief ........................................... Kiley Dougherty 7KH7KXQGHUEROWLVSXEOLVKHGE\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZDSULYDWH¿UPLQQR
Internal information........................................ Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell ZD\FRQQHFWHGZLWKWKH86$LU)RUFHXQGHUH[FOXVLYHZULWWHQFRQWUDFWZLWKWKHWK
Editor ........................................................................... Deborah Leuthold )LJKWHU:LQJ/XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH$UL]7KLVFLYLOLDQHQWHUSULVH$LU)RUFHQHZVSDSHU
Designer .................................................................................Tinna Sellie LVDQDXWKRUL]HGSXEOLFDWLRQIRUPHPEHUVRIWKH86PLOLWDU\VHUYLFHV&RQWHQWVRIWKH
7KXQGHUEROWDUHQRWQHFHVVDULO\WKHRI¿FLDOYLHZVRIRUHQGRUVHGE\WKH86JRYHUQ
Editorial Information PHQWWKH'HSDUWPHQWRI'HIHQVHRUWKH'HSDUWPHQWRIWKH$LU)RUFH

For past issues of the Thunderbolt, go to 7KHDSSHDUDQFHRIDGYHUWLVLQJLQWKLVSXEOLFDWLRQLQFOXGLQJLQVHUWVRUVXSSOHPHQWV
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/ and click on PDF edition GRHVQRWFRQVWLWXWHHQGRUVHPHQWRIWKHSURGXFWVRUVHUYLFHVDGYHUWLVHGE\WKH'2'
7KHWK)LJKWHU:LQJ3XEOLF$IIDLUV2I¿FHSUHSDUHVDOOHGLWRULDOFRQWHQWIRUWKH WKH'HSDUWPHQWRIWKH$LU)RUFHRU$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZ
7KXQGHUEROW7KHHGLWRUZLOOHGLWRUUHZULWHPDWHULDOIRUFODULW\EUHYLW\RUWRFRQIRUPZLWK
$LU)RUFHVW\OHDVUHTXLUHGE\$LU)RUFH,QVWUXFWLRQ6XEPLVVLRQGHDGOLQHLVDW (YHU\WKLQJDGYHUWLVHGLQWKLVSXEOLFDWLRQVKDOOEHPDGHDYDLODEOHIRUSXUFKDVH
QRRQWKH:HGQHVGD\QLQHGD\VSULRUWRWKHGHVLUHGSXEOLFDWLRQGDWH&RQWULEXWLRQVIRU XVH RU SDWURQDJH ZLWKRXW UHJDUG WR UDFH FRORU UHOLJLRQ VH[ QDWLRQDO RULJLQ DJH
WKH7KXQGHUEROWFDQEHPDGHWRWKH3XEOLF$IIDLUVRI¿FH:HVW)DOFRQ6WUHHW PDULWDOVWDWXVSK\VLFDOKDQGLFDSSROLWLFDODI¿OLDWLRQRUDQ\RWKHUQRQPHULWIDFWRURI
/XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH$UL]RUWKURXJKHPDLOWR):3$7KXQGHUEROW#XVDI WKHSXUFKDVHUXVHURUSDWURQ
PLO7KHHGLWRUFDQEHUHDFKHGDWDQGWKHID[QXPEHULV
(GLWRULDOFRQWHQWLVHGLWHGSUHSDUHGDQGSURYLGHGE\WKH3XEOLF$IIDLUVRI¿FHRI
/XNH$)%$UL]$OOSKRWRJUDSKVDUH$LU)RUFHSKRWRJUDSKVXQOHVVRWKHUZLVHLQGLFDWHG