Mentorship is an opportunity for Sailors of all ranks to extend the olive branch of leadership and mentor someone both personally and professionally. To aid in making such relationships a success, commands, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), have local mentorship instructions to assist mentors and protégés in forming meaningful mentorship relationships.

According to USS George Washington (CVN 73) Instruction 5351.1B, the objective of the mentoring program is to develop Sailors personally and professionally by transferring the knowledge and experience of senior personnel to junior personnel. It affords Sailors at all levels the opportunity to grow, remain efficient, and develop team-building skills. Every Sailor should have a mentoring relationship with senior personnel.

“I think everyone should have a mentor, whether it’s documented or not, or someone you can go to discuss your personal and professional development,” said Chief Sonar Technician Corey Davidson, George Washington’s mentorship coordinator. “Someone that has been there before you, someone that might be where you want to be in the future.”

All reporting E-6 and below Sailors will be assigned a mentor in the first 30 days after reporting, which will be their sponsor. They will be assigned a permanent mentor within 90 days of reporting. A Sailor can find their own mentor or be assigned one by their departmental mentorship coordinator.

“The GW mentorship instruction outlines the process for getting one,” said Davidson. “There is a mentorship agreement that both the mentor and protégé have to sign. There is an individual development plan that goes along with it so they can identify what goals they have for short term and long term, milestones they get to and both mentor and protégé will sign off on this saying they’ve both agreed to this program. They’ve agreed to their responsibilities to each other and the milestones they need to meet.”

When two Sailors agree to become mentor and protégé, they should remember to remain professional, not fraternize, and keep communications confidential. With these things, a successful mentorship-partnership can develop.

“Career progression, short-range, medium-range, and long-range professional goals, leadership, administrative, personal goals, and education are just a few areas of focus,” said Master Chief Avionics Technician John Carter. “Mentorships often become enduring friendships, where you as a mentor can change a Sailor’s life and decision-making even after the active phase of the relationship has ended.”

Mentorship, whether short- or long-term, can provide opportunities to improve communication skills, develop leadership and management qualities, and increase confidence and motivation. If you would like to know more about the George Washington mentorship program, stop by FAF Room 307 to speak with the command mentorship coordinator.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/.