Marine Corps Mentoring Program

The Marine Corps has officially drafted guidance to implement an effective mentoring program. Guidance on this program, which was drafted by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, will provide privates through senior officers the opportunity to reach their full potential personally and professionally, help shape future leaders, increase unit cohesion, strengthen camaraderie, foster relationships of genuine concern, and better prepare Marines to handle the increased challenges of todays operational climate. The program was inspired in part by recent cultural studies by the Center for Naval Analysis, Behavioral Science Technology, which identified gaps in Marine leadership effectiveness. The Marine Corps and mentorship are steeped in rich tradition. They have stood the test of time, and similar to our civilian counterparts, mentoring is being taken seriously as an avenue for organizational development. Mentoring was, and continues to be, one of the most effective ways to pass on skills, knowledge, and wisdom and to train the next generation of professionals. Many compelling bonds will arise through the sharing of social, academic, career, and personal relationships with positive role models. With clear guidance, built-in flexibility, automation, and buy-in from junior commissioned officers and staff noncommissioned officers, the mentoring program will be successful.