“When I checked onboard the ship, I was dead set on doing one enlistment in the Navy and getting out. I wasn’t concerned with anything other than doing my time as if it was a jail sentence,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Aydai Palmer. “I was an undesignated airman and didn’t have many positive experiences. I was dealing with a chain of command that I didn’t get along with and they didn’t support me as a junior Sailor. Once I struck AO [aviation ordnanceman] and moved to Weapons Department’s G-4 division, I met a few people that have influenced my decision to stay in the Navy.”

Per USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)’s Instruction (5300.1), the mentorship program is designed to assist in the professional development of all enlisted personnel assigned to Abraham Lincoln through the use of positive mentoring and counseling.

Protégés will have their prospective mentor entered into a database and monitored by the command mentorship coordinator.

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Andre Harden, Abraham Lincoln’s mentorship coordinator, stresses that every Sailor (E-6 and below) is required to select a mentor no more than 60 days from checking onboard.

“Sailors need individual advice that’s tailored to their personal situation from a more senior Sailor who’s been there and done that,” said Harden. “Your supervisors in your division may help you with your qualifications and advise you in a group setting, but getting personal guidance on how to perform well in every aspect of your life can have a greater effect on your overall success.”

Palmer says Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Matthew Taylor was one of the first influential people he met when he arrived aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

“If you take care of your peers, they’ll take care of you,” Taylor told Palmer. “The Navy is a cohesive community and if your work complements the work of your peers, you will be successful.”

Per 5300.1, each mentor should not have more than four protégés. It is recommended that a protégé choose a mentor at least two pay-grades above them. Additionally, Sailors may select an alternate mentor (i.e. second, third choice) of their choice.

Palmer credits Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Derrick Pollard as another prominent figure in his Naval career. Pollard says a mentor is crucial to success; they are the glue that binds everything together. The goal of mentorship is to set the precedent that you are not alone.

“Chief Pollard gave me a lot of inspiration to always push forward and work above and beyond my potential,” said Palmer. “Chief never allows me to slip up or get distracted from my goals. He’s like a career counselor and someone I try to emulate.”

Pollard has mentored several Sailors throughout his career that have effectively fulfilled their goals because of his words of encouragement.

“I urge my protégés to use every resource afforded to them,” said Pollard. “A good mentor can give you the tools to success, but it’s ultimately up to the mentee to put their best foot forward and work toward their personal goals.”

Taylor says being a mentor doesn’t entail just advising Sailors on how to perform well in their career, but also giving guidance in all aspects of life.

“Mentorship is important because we’re focused on guiding junior Sailors in the right direction and shaping the leaders of tomorrow,” said Taylor. “Advancing to the next paygrade isn’t significant just because you get a little extra money in the bank; it gives you the opportunity to take on a higher leadership position and use your experiences to mold you into a better leader than your previous ones.”

Taylor explains that he prefers to do more listening than talking in the hope that investing more time into individual Sailors will prevent future disciplinary issues and jumpstart their success.

“Being in the military without a sense of direction or empowerment can really bring down your morale,” said Palmer. “AO1 Taylor and Chief Pollard’s counseling positively affected my work ethic. It allowed me to grow not only as a Sailor but also the leader I am, today.”

A Sailor’s chain of command may harp on short-term goals, such as completing qualifications or Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) courses, but every Sailor should carefully select a senior enlisted mentor to help them meet long-term career goals and lend an ear for personal situations.

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