| The focus of this dissertation was to examine the qualities that encompass the Mentoring Program as it pertains to the U.S. Air Force enlisted personnel. Proteges, also known as mentees, who experienced a mentoring relationship offered valuable insight concerning the use of the program itself. The mentors who implement such a program are the backbone of its effectiveness. The ability of mentors to personally shape the program around those they supervise to reflect professional and personal development, retention, and motivation was the key factor of the program. During the investigation, Air Force Instruction 36-3401, Air Force Enlisted Mentoring Program (U.S. Air Force, 2000b), was thoroughly reviewed for both meaning and content. A qualitative case study research method was used in correspondence with the development of this material. The purpose of a mentoring program is to ensure that personnel are successful at their job on the basis of skills, abilities, knowledge, desire, and potential. Mentors are the responsible personnel who guide this program and monitor their proteges for proper training and development. Through proteges' identification of the strengths and weaknesses of the program by way of the mentoring relationship, the effectiveness of the program was evaluated. |
