Mentorship: An Army Dilemma
Abstract
The Army has debated the importance of mentoring with the meaning, specifically Army mentoring, at the root of the debate. Doctrine articulates mentoring as an improving action of leadership, while advocating mentorship as inclusive for all. In the corporate and academic worlds mentoring is by nature exclusive. Dissatisfaction exists in the Force due to a lack of mentorship because the expectation is mentoring for all. Many perceive mentorship negatively because the opportunity for mentoring has not been available for all. The Army's fix is DA PAM 600-XX, Army Mentoring Doctrine. This research of the Army's mentorship dilemma examines the questions: what does mentorship mean and how should we use it in the Army? Should the Army promote a concept that is exclusive by nature? It examines the proposed mentorship doctrine and attempts to predict the impact. The research concludes that the proposed doctrine is a comprehensive effort to redefine mentoring in the Force and focus on a culture of learning; yet it falls short of clarifying the meaning in inclusive terms and resolve conflicts with Army values. In the long run this will erode our culture. The Army should eliminate mentoring and focus on leader development.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA404347
Entities
People
- Bette R. Washington
Organizations
- United States Army War College