ORLANDO, Fla - In support of National Mentoring month, the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) participated in a national video teleconference program that was streamed from Naval Air Systems Command Patuxent River, Maryland.  The program entitled, “A Lifelong Journey Event” provided testimonials from senior NAVAIR leaders.

The event consisted of a panel discussion themed around the value mentoring provides NAVAIR’s organization.  NAVAIR Commander, Vice Adm. David A. Dunaway; NAVAIR Deputy Commander, Garry R. Newton; and the Director for Support Equipment and Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment, Kathleen P. Donnelly participated in the mentoring discussion. “Mentoring doesn’t require you to tell people what to do, mentoring is about advising them,” said Dunaway while addressing the NAVAIR command listening via video teleconference technology.

While giving a personal testimonial about how mentoring has assisted him in his career, Vice Adm. Dunaway said, “I want you to be the best you can be for yourself and your country, I also seek out advice from people on a routine basis."  Following this message delivered by the NAVAIR Commander, the program proceeded with testimonials from other NAVAIR senior leaders.

Following the remarks from the NAVAIR senior leaders, the spotlight was shifted to the workforce. An awards ceremony took place recognizing NAVAIR employees who have made significant improvements in the organization’s mentoring program.

Selina Vik, NAWCTSD’s Department Head for Training and Career Development oversees the NAWCTSD mentoring program and was one of eight members of the NAVAIR workforce recognized. “Mentoring is so important to the command because it provides us the opportunity to share our knowledge and experience with new employees and peers,” said Vik when asked about the importance of the mentoring program.

All civil service, military personnel and contract support service personnel are eligible and encouraged to participate in the mentoring program.  This program provides a structured, semi-formal approach to forming mentoring partnerships by sharing knowledge and insights learned through years of experience. Mentorship is a valuable tool used within NAWCTSD to prevent the loss of knowledge, particularly in the engineering and scientific fields. This is critical to mission success and maintains a corporate culture throughout the workforce.