San Diego -- To assist the performance of future Marine mentors, recruits from Company E, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, were taught what being a mentor is about as well as who can be a mentor aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Nov. 15.
To open the class, 1st Sgt. Kevin L. Hutson, company first sergeant, Co. E, asked recruits what they thought mentoring was.
“Someone passing knowledge they have learned in life and in the Marine Corps,” answered a recruit.
Hutson taught that typically a Marine mentor will be someone of equal or higher rank and someone with a good amount of life experiences to pass on to the mentee. However, he also stressed mentors can come from all ranks and ages.
“Just because you’re a private, private first class or a lance corporal, doesn’t mean you don’t have life experience,” said Hutson.
Recruits were taught that mentors lead by example, demonstrate proper professional conduct and show a genuine concern for junior Marines.
Sgt. Jerald I. Davila, drill instructor, Plt. 2114, Co. E, explained mentoring is important in the Corps because it helps Marines get to know one another more personally.
“You get to know your Marines on a more one on one personal level,” said Davila. “You learn their attitude. If they’re always happy and one day they come in upset, you know something is up.”
Recruit Aaron A. Smith, guide, Plt. 2115, said he has two mentors, his father and his senior drill instructor.
“My father always taught me to be a man of my word,” said Smith. “My senior drill instructor taught me to always work to the best of my ability and to be an example to everyone else around me.”
Recruit Jacob T. Schmidt, guide, Plt. 2114, from Frederic, Wis., said his experience as a college football captain has given him mentoring experience and hopes it will help him as a mentor to others in the Corps.
As a team captain, Schmidt was responsible for making sure junior athletes knew what was expected in the weight room, class room and how to conduct themselves on campus. Schmidt said although he is growing with his fellow recruits at the same pace, he hopes his life experiences can help his fellow recruits.
“I believe this can help me because maybe I have some life experiences that other recruits may not have,” said Schmidt, the 23 year old.
For some recruits the additional knowledge just added to their mentorship capability, and for others it was in introduction to a method of helping future fellow Marines.