Mentoring program can go long way for Air Force cadets

  • Published
  • By Nicole Singer
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) --  The Air Force Cadet Officer Mentor Action Program has been mentoring young Air Force officers and cadets for nearly two decades.

Currently, there are 12 active chapters. Officials at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command say they would like to see more bases initiate chapters.

The program, also known as AFCOMAP, is a non-profit, nationally chartered, Air Force-sponsored organization. Its purpose can be summed up by the motto, "Strengthening future Air Force leaders through mentorship."

"AFCOMAP can be another important tool that can shape current cadets into future Air Force leaders," said Col. James Playford, AFMC deputy director of manpower and personnel.

"Developing, mentoring and instructing our future leaders is everyone's responsibility. AFCOMAP offers one avenue to fulfill that responsibility. It's a win-win situation for cadets and the mentors," Colonel Playford said.

AFCOMAP has three main goals: to help all Air Force officers and cadets develop professionally; to support the professionalism and retention issue of minority officers; and to assist newly-commissioned officers with the transition from cadet life to the life of an active-duty Air Force officer.

"We mentor cadets about what it's going to take not only to become successful officers, but also successful professionals," said Brig. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins Jr.,  AFCOMAP national president. "Once they go on active duty, the focus shifts to the company grade officers and what it's going to take for them to become field grade officers or career airmen officers."

Each chapter works to promote a positive image of the Air Force in their local community and try to gain the interest of young people in their work. They also reach out specifically to the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps programs located near their base.

The Robins Air Force Base, Ga., chapter reaches out to members of ROTC detachments at local university campuses. They've held career days for the cadets and have invited them on base tours.

"We even took them through what in processing would be like," said 1st Lt. Roniece Vandyke, vice president of operations for the Robins AFB chapter.

Lieutenant Vandyke has been involved in AFCOMAP for three years and was introduced to the program through a friend.

"Mentoring is the main focus," she said, "We try to mentor the cadets so they'll be prepared and know what to look for."

Cadets receive one-on-one attention. Each protégé is specifically paired with a mentor in their related career field. This allows them the opportunity to learn about the military and their field of study. Chapters also sponsor professional speakers and hold fellowship luncheons.

AFCOMAP was born from an Army program entitled ROCKS, which was an organization formed for current officers to visit Army ROTC detachments at historically black colleges. Col. Paul Patton saw a similar need for it in the Air Force, joined the group and began to tailor it for use in the Air Force.

The Air Force officially recognized AFCOMAP in June 1989. It originally focused on minority officers and cadets only and did not become officially charted as a separate program for use in the Air Force until 1994. In doing so, its mission was expanded to include recruitment and retention of all cadets and junior officers.

Membership consists mainly of Air Force active duty and retired officers and officer candidates. However, civilians, enlisted personnel and officers from other branches of service are all welcome.

AFCOMAP's operations manual and complete instructions on how to establish a new chapter can be found online at: http://www.afcomapnational.org.

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page