Mentoring Revisited: New Challenges and Strategies.

摘要

This research seeks to promote and encourage successful mentorship for junior officers. As the Army transforms into the 21st Century, it cannot afford to continue the old leadership practices that have dominated the Army for the past 20-30 years. Ineffectual leadership attributes contribute to the lack of effectual mentoring. Reports and surveys indicate that such leadership practices have led to the high attrition rate of junior officers. The current Army senior leadership has stressed the need to provide more mentoring opportunities for its junior leaders. However, this is not happening. If this trend continues, the future leadership of the Army will be at stake, the outlook of the future Objective Force will be bleak, and the junior officer attrition rate will continue. This research offers a definition of mentoring, assesses the effectiveness of mentoring in the past, and offers constructive ways for the Army to improve its mentoring programs and training. If mentoring programs are properly carried out, the Army will contribute to the development of future generations of officers and to the future of success of Army leaders.