Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) are growing in their careers as a result of mentors taking these Sailors under their wings.

As per Instruction 5300.1, the Command Mentorship Program "is a leadership and management tool designed to enhance and challenge the senior leadership, to positively impact the careers of junior Sailors assigned to Abraham Lincoln."

"It helps junior Sailors to have someone who has their best interest in mind," said Legalman 1st Class Lucas Mabe. "Some of them need that person who will ask them how they're doing with their qualifications and career, pointing them in the right direction."

Guidance in the Navy is highly important, said Lincoln's Sailor of the Quarter Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Neasha Johnson. Before joining the Navy, she said she thought she had life figured out. She was independent, living on her own and didn't need much help from anybody.

"But the Navy is different," said Johnson, who admitted there was a steep learning curve for her and mentors helped her reach her career goals. "Sometimes your mentor isn't going to be your friend. They might question you all the time, and that was what I needed."

In addition to the significance of senior guidance, Johnson explained it is critical for proteges to find a mentor to emulate.

"More than likely, there's going to be someone on the ship who has been through nearly everything you will experience," said Johnson. "The mentorship program is valuable because you will meet and be able to learn from Sailors who have already taken advancement exams, have participated in community relations events and have made significant career milestones."

Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Robert C. Cook, Lincoln's Mentorship Program coordinator, said a good mentor will help Sailors identify expectations of the Navy, set short and long term goals, guide them with special programs, and address housing and pay concerns.

Cook stressed mentors are not there to make decisions for Sailors, but rather impart knowledge and advice. For some, a good mentor-to-protege relationship can develop into a strong professional bond or lifelong friendship.

"Twelve years later, I still talk to my mentors, Master Chief Calvin Brown and Master Chief Jeff Price, every single day," said Master Chief Operations Specialist Tarrance Holcombe. "I send them a text every day at 4 [a.m.]. My mentors are my friends and are they are genuinely concerned about my success."

Holcombe, now a mentor to many Sailors aboard Lincoln, said Sailors sometimes need someone to help them get the most out of their time in the Navy.

"When I was a junior Sailor, my role model Master Chief Robert Dinges, gave his Sailors the tools and guidance we needed to be successful," said Holcombe. "Once we had the tools, we were held accountable."

Sometimes all it takes for a Sailor to be successful is that one good example, he said.

"We wanted to be just like him," said Holcombe. "To me, he was the perfect Sailor. Master Chief Dinges was tough and made us work, but we knew that he not only cared about us, he loved all of us."

Now, years later, Holcombe is the example. Having pinned his own proteges as master chiefs and officers, he has imparted the knowledge he gained, guiding and developing the next generation of the Navy.

A proper mentor is like having a motivated trainer in your corner when you step into the ring. They are there to push you and prepare you for success.

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