JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO –
National Mentoring Month, or NMM, was established in January 2002 to inspire a movement that builds meaningful relationships and supports individuals in reaching their professional and personal goals. It serves as an annual reminder to be the “Difference Maker” by intentionally connecting, investing, and developing the next generation of leaders to achieve their full potential in both the Profession of Arms and in life.
DAF Manual 36-2643, Coaching and Mentoring Program, defines mentoring as “a more informal relationship focused on building a two-way, mutually beneficial relationship for long-term career movement and knowledge management.” This definition aligns with the Air Force’s 24 Air Force Competencies—centered on developing self, others, ideas and organizations—is a solid foundation for sharpening the human weapon system.
The 2025 Department of Defense (DoD) NMM theme is, “Mentoring tomorrow’s leaders today” and the Department of the Air Force (DAF) theme is, “Transforming lives… strengthening the force … finding common ground through mentoring.”
These themes collectively emphasize the power of mentorship in developing the force and leaders we need to meet both current and future challenges.
Mentorship is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you are a rookie or a seasoned veteran, we can all learn from our superiors, peers, and subordinates. Mentors guide, support, and empower to help mentees to grow through knowledge sharing, sound counsel, and developmental opportunities. At the heart of mentorship is the mentee, who must seek purposeful relationships, clarify career goals, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning.
“Mentoring provides a transformative relationship throughout one’s career to be the best version of themselves at every stage of their leadership journey, creating a ripple effect of excellence across the organization and preparing the force to reoptimize for Great Power Competition,” Lt. Gen. Brian S. Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, emphasized. “A focus on deliberate development through mentoring is the difference between barely surviving or thriving in a rapidly changing environment, because it prepares the national security workforce with the knowledge, skills and abilities we need to win.”
The significance of mentorship is best illustrated in Colonel (Ret.) Penny H. Bailey’s poem, The Difference poem (2002):
The Difference
There were two Airmen who didn’t know what to do
They came into the Air Force and were proud to wear the blue
Quickly they realized they didn’t know it all
And soon they must learn or they would fall
But who was to teach them how to go?
Where were they to go in order to grow?
Around them they looked and what did they see?
One found a mentor the other one was left himself to be
The one with the mentor seized the day
He learned quickly and found experience does pay
The protégé’ listened and the mentor taught him a lot
And through his successes he never forgot
The second who had to go it alone
Did his best but felt forlorn
He did what he could and learned as he went
But in the end he was totally spent
Now the protégé is a mentor, too
His successes and lessons are not few
He shares what he knows and learns from the young
And praises for his mentor are sung
So now the Air Force has only one wearing the blue
But it should have been two
With experiences and happiness in their heart
Because someone cared about them from the start
Col. Sergio Rios, AETC Director for Manpower, Personnel and Services, reinforces this sentiment. “AETC’s goal is to incorporate mentoring into and throughout the command. Thoughtful mentorship equips Airmen and Guardians with opportunities to make a meaningful difference in their lives, the lives of others, and creates pathways to develop top performers,” he said.
The AETC Mentoring Council, managed by HQ AETC/A1DF, plays a pivotal role in promoting collaboration and sharing mentoring best practices across AETC’s 24 wings and 11 installations.
The MyVector Mentoring Tool to facilitate mentoring relationships can be found here. Air Force personnel interested in learning more about mentoring can access resources here.