Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) participated in a mentorship fair, held on the mess decks, March 24.

The event was designed to give Sailors the opportunity to talk with several potential mentors within a short amount of time, to help them choose a mentor who best suits their specific needs.

"Why do we have mentors?" asked Capt. David Oden, executive officer of Makin Island. "Quite simply, to make us better individuals, both personally and professionally."

He said that this new mentorship match-up program, resembling speed-dating in form, was put into effect because many people find it difficult to go out and seek mentorship on their own.

This system ensures that every Sailor has an opportunity to find a mentor, Oden added.

"I found a mentor because I finally came to a place in my life where I realized my ego was not my amigo," said Edwin Rodriguez, the resiliency counselor aboard Makin Island. "I saved a lot of time - a lot of bumps and bruises - by being able to take advice, guidance and suggestions from my mentor. It's important to have a sounding board; to be able to bounce ideas off of somebody who has more experience than you do."

Rodriguez said that there are many different kinds of mentors. One Sailor may need a mentor who can see them through a long and successful military career, while another Sailor may require a spiritual or educational mentor.

"I think mentorship takes on a lot of different faces," said Oden. "It's handled differently by every single person here, but it is vitally important to what we do because it makes us a better team."

Upgrades to the command mentorship program began more than a year ago.

"I had no idea that it would turn out to be such an amazing endeavor," said mentorship committee member Gas Turbine System (Mechanical) 2nd Class Christina Brader. "I foresee more well-rounded leaders and even advancements coming out of the rebuilt program."

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