Team Wright-Patt Mentoring Program up and running for 2023 Published March 2, 2023 By Richy Rosado 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs USAF AFPIMS Placeholder (Air Force graphic by Darius Parker) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The 2023 Team Wright-Patt Mentoring Program kicked off Jan. 24, commencing the annual yearlong program that promotes professional development and growth for both military members and civilian employees. “The objective of this program is to develop professional individuals and to help them realize their full potential through the experiences of those who have gone before them,” said Gary Sapp, human resources specialist for the Wright-Patterson Education Center. This year’s kickoff coincided with National Mentoring Month in January. The program is broken into two six-month sessions with the first session running from January to June and the second session from July to December. The mentoring program facilitates professional development and growth for both mentors and mentees. While building relationships, participants will gain knowledge and understanding of the Air Force’s overall mission. Mentees can expand their networking, advance careers, receive career guidance and learn how to be a mentor as well. The program includes 80 mentees and 45 mentors. Every month, usually during lunch, all mentees and mentors meet to cover a specific topic, led by a Wright-Patterson senior leader or guest speaker. “Usually, these topics come from mentees or mentors looking for more information about that topic,” Sapp said. “We’ve had senior non-commissioned officer panels, different senior leaders from across the base and guest speakers come and talk to them. We’ve had a lot of great people willing to give their time because they believe in the program.” The March meeting will showcase a personality presentation titled “Colors,” which uses orange, gold, blue, and green to represent four different personality types. The four colors combine in varying ways to make up different personality spectrums. “In the True Colors personality test, individuals answer questions about their likes and dislikes,” said LaTonya Johnson, management analyst for the Education and Training Section. “Based on their answers, the test proctor will identify their primary personality test color. Additionally, as all four colors may influence your personality to a degree, the test will describe how the other colors fit in with your results. The True Colors test may also reveal your values, motivations, social skills and learning styles.” Future topics for upcoming meetings include unconscious bias in April, military education and development in May and civilian workforce development in June. The Education Center will send out a notification in April advertising open enrollment for the upcoming July through December session for anyone interested in participating as a mentor or a mentee. The voluntary opportunity is open to all Wright-Patterson Air Force Base military and civilian personnel (excluding contractors). If you have any questions about Team Wright-Patt Mentoring Program, email 88FSSFSDEDMentoringProgram@us.af.mil.