Civilian Mentoring Council

Riza McCoy, right, with the 72nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, and Bernice Williams, with the 72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron, were paired as mentor and mentee through the Civilian Mentoring Council. Twenty-six mentees were paired with 24 mentors through recruiting efforts for the 72nd Air Base Wing’s program.

Civilian Mentoring

The 72nd ABW Civilian Mentoring Council leadership team, from left, Michael Wiles, 72nd ABW/SCOS, technology officer; Eb Bauer, 72nd ABW/XPX, president; Allison Smith, 72nd ABW/JAJ, vice president; Justin Kuefler, 72nd FSS/FSDEB, curriculum development officer; and Chris Fellows, 72nd LRS/LGRDF, lead logistics officer. Not Pictured: Brent Burgess, 72nd LRS/DO, operations officer; Robert Kroupa, 72nd OSS/OSW, public affairs officer, and Lea Johnson, 72nd MDSS/CCS, assistant logistics officer. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

72nd Air Base Wing Civilian Mentoring Program, promoting development

Published March 10, 2017
By Jillian Coleman
72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --

The 72nd Air Base Wing held a civilian mentor and mentee meet and greet session Feb. 24. The session culminated a year of mentoring and professional development events through the wing’s civilian mentoring program, which launched in January 2016. The program was developed as a result of feedback received through wing DEOCS (defense equal organization climate survey) as well as from the UEI (unit effectiveness inspection) from 2015.

72nd Air Base Wing Vice Commander Col. Thomas Brown recalled his own experience, and encouraged participants to really fight hard not to be the person in the room who came to check off a block.

“This is one of the best forums,” Colonel Brown said. “This serves as a resource to let you know what vehicles are available to you, as civilians, to help better yourself and your career.

“It’s important for you to understand where your opportunities for advancement are,” the colonel added. “We want you to know that we are here to help you collaborate, network and advance your career, but you need to do your part and put the work in, too.”

Following an application process and some additional recruiting, 26 mentees were matched with 24 mentors in December, by 72nd ABW Director of Staff and the wing’s civilian mentoring program senior adviser Bob Sandlin, based on hobbies, interests, backgrounds and career fields. Some senior active duty members were also recruited to help ensure the mentorship program supported all career fields.

“We want to retain our mentors,” Eberhard Bauer, 72nd ABW Civilian Mentoring Council chair said. “But we also want to be able to recruit more and be able to reach more people who are interested in becoming mentors or mentees.”

During the meet and greet, participants received packets with tool kits, action plans, time logs, benefits and responsibilities. Also in the works is an electronic survey to help provide feedback. If something needs to be addressed or fixed, or if there are success stories, that feedback is appreciated and will be used to improve our program.

For more information on the Civilian Mentoring Program, contact Mr. Bauer at 739-5078.