I was recently asked to write a Letter of Recommendation for the first time....I ended up here and now I am resurrecting this thread.
I can't put enough emphasis on this. I feel that Knowing your job inside and out and executing your duties and responsibilities in a competent manner is an excellent way to mentor a younger generation. At my first unit this style of mentorship took precedence over the occasional chit chat, beer etc. However there is always a fine line between education and indoctrination.......
As a young typical enlisted dude (TED?) I made it a point to seek out mentorship. When I took up the subject with my supervisor, he then proceeded to tell me that I should emulate the actions of those who excelled in the squadron and that I was in a "self managed" career field and that it would be unwise to go looking for a "Dad". Needless to say I labeled my supervisor somewhat of a dick after our little "mentoring session" and I sought advice from others in the squadron in regards to PME, testing for SSgt etc., only to receive the same reply..."your career should be self managed" Well this was all great, as I became somewhat of a self reliant chap, but I felt the leadership could have done a better job at mentoring the younger folks..and my experience seems to be consistent with others in this thread in that mentorship was almost nonexistent in regards to an actual sit down one on one chat with a mentor in which a legitimate exchange of goals and aspirations actually took place......something that needs to happen IMO.