By Beverly Cully

Special to the News-Herald

Sailors assigned to Navy Cyber Defense Command and Naval Network Warfare Command participated in the commands’ second mentorship draft March 10 in the Suffolk Complex Heroes Auditorium.

The event is aimed at providing protégés with a speedy and efficient way of meeting and evaluating potential mentors at their commands, as well as ensuring full participation in the Navy’s mentorship program as outlined by Navy Personnel Command.

The goal of the Navy’s mentorship program, according to NAVPERSCOM is “to provide guidance for all military and civil service workforce members in the effort to institute a formal approach to develop 21st century leaders, retain talent, support the Navy’s diversity initiatives, and enhance career development.”

“It’s great to see all the energy and excitement here today,” said Cmdr. Mick Brons, executive officer, NCDOC. “We’re happy to see shipmates connecting with, and committing to, each other for the sake of personal and professional growth.”

The mentorship draft began with 29 mentors at 15 tables set up in a ‘round robin’ format. Each mentor’s draft card rotated on the projector highlighting his or her skills and interests. The protégés had three minutes total in each of the speed mentoring sessions to interview the mentors.

Senior Chief Information Systems Technician Willie Arnold played the part of the referee, notifying the protégés when it was time to move by the sound of his whistle.

“You have one minute to find your next mentor,” said Arnold.

“The mentorship draft was a blast,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Tyler King. “I got to meet so many new people who were all outstanding candidates for mentorship.”

Protégés were randomly placed in a draft pick order, and they selected their top five picks for mentor. As their draft numbers were called, the master of ceremonies, Information Systems Technician 1st Class James Yeung announced the selection, matching mentor to protégé.

Participants then signed mentorship contracts setting dates and times to discuss their future relationships.

“Even though we only picked one final selection for mentor on paper, I was able to find many people I could go to for career advice,” said King.

NNWC executes tactical-level command and control securing navy communications and network systems for Department of Defense Information Networks. NCDOC enables global power projection through proactive network defense of Navy computer networks and systems.

Both commands report operationally to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet.
U.S. Fleet Cyber Command serves as the Navy component command to U.S. Strategic Command and U.S. Cyber Command, and the Navy’s Service Cryptologic Component commander under the National Security Agency/Central Security Service. Fleet Cyber Command also reports directly to the Chief of Naval Operations as an Echelon II command.