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380AEW Article

Speed Mentoring

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Russ Scalf
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
Southwest Asia --  Ready, set, mentorship!

The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Top 3 organization hosted a speed mentorship event May 6, 2014, to provide Airmen a chance to probe a diverse selection of senior noncommissioned officers from around the wing about their extensive leadership knowledge.

The event, led by Master Sgt. Trevor Gilliland, the 492nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron superintendent, borrows the concepts of speed dating to maximize participants' exposure to a multitude of leadership styles. Gilliland, who is deployed here from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, brought the concept with him.

"I took the idea from the program we have at the Liberty Top 3 at RAF Lakenheath," said Gilliland. "I have been involved in several of these and always found it to be very rewarding. The Airmen and young NCOs ask a lot of interesting and sometimes challenging questions. You spend a few minutes with each individual and then move on to the next."

The participants wasted no time getting underway. The disclosure of career progressing advice was scarcely a hushed affair. The room was abuzz nearly 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time.

"This experience allows participants to ask questions about anything they wish to know from somebody outside of their chain of command," said Gilliland. "Often people ask the same question to multiple SNCOs just to get a diverse, whole picture. Usually the discussions involve topics like promotion, school, career choices, special duty, how to lead and how to handle certain personality types."

Gilliland explained that, like dating, the speed mentorship program is intended to be a rewarding experience for both parties involved. He reported feeling extremely passionate about mentorship; both seeking it out and providing it. That view was shared by his fellow SNCOs in attendance.

"As mentor, what I got out of today was a chance to talk to Airmen across the base," said Chief Master Sgt. John Elstrom. "It's also good to see what the issues are, and what kind of questions they are asking. What I'll take away is; if I'm being asked the same question several times, for example there were multiple questions about the upcoming retention boards, that tells me that as chiefs across this base we probably need to focus a little more on pushing out information. There are still a lot of unanswered questions out there."

The junior enlisted Airmen who took part also conveyed a sense of deep satisfaction for the candid setting.

"It was very beneficial," said Senior Airman Gabrielle Crandall. "This advice is going to help me be a better leader not only in the Air Force, but also as a civilian when I eventually get out. The best advice I received was to be humble and to be genuine."

In all, 46 participants showed up looking to learn from all the right places. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Top 3 hosts multiple professional development opportunities each month. Additional information about upcoming events can be found on the Top 3 Sharepoint site.