Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SS/SW) Rick West visited Sailors on board USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during their first-ever Mentorship Fair Jan. 19.
West spoke at an enlisted all hands call about the importance of mentoring today’s Sailors from a holistic perspective and answered Sailors’ questions.
“Mentorship is a very important part of the Navy, ” West said. “Mentorship fosters teamwork, which fosters success. It’s about reaching out to each other and getting honest advice.”
Sailors from various departments on board TR set up informational booths in the gym, each of which demonstrated areas in which Sailors might require mentoring. The advice provided in the displays was designed to help Sailors in their careers and personal lives by providing physical, spiritual and mental health, education and medical information.
“ We set up a booth to educate the command about dental hygiene, ” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Rashad White . “It’s one of the tools the ship provides to help Sailors stay healthy, which helps their career too. It’s important for Sailors and their mentors to learn about everything they can take advantage of to succeed.”
West gave Sailors insight on how mentorship helped him become the highest ranking enlisted Sailor in the United States Navy.
“I’ve had several mentors during my career,” West said. “We always worked as a team. It’s about having that person I could always go to with any question.”
While having a mentor is important to a Sailor’s career, West also stressed the importance of mentoring others and doing what is necessary to help a fellow Sailor.
“When you see a shipmate staring into trouble, that’s when I expect you to step up,” West said.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , January 25, 2012; Image: navy