Reflections on mentoring

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Ryan Price
  • 420th Air Base Squadron commander
RAF FAIRFORD, United Kingdom --  What seems like not so long ago I was embarking on a life-long dream of becoming a military aviator; a dream that was inspired by an uncle who had flown two combat tours in Vietnam as an Army Warrant Officer flying Cobra Attack Helicopters. 

When I was four years old, my uncle landed his Cobra on the pasture of our family farm a short time after returning from his second tour. It was then that he allowed me to put his flight helmet on and from that point on I was sold on becoming a military aviator. This dream would later be further inspired as I grew up flying light civilian aircraft with the same uncle after he left the Army and settled not far away from our farm embarking on a second career as a veterinarian. 

You see, as I look back on my military career, it isn't the airplanes I remember so much or even the places I've been assigned. It is the people that I remember most and the influence they have had on my life and career. Perhaps most notable are those that have been my military mentors through the years. My uncle was my first mentor on my path to becoming an officer and Airman. He was the one that told me there was a place called the United States Air Force Academy, where even kids from rural Oklahoma with a dream could get an education, become an officer, and have a good shot at becoming an Air Force pilot. Perhaps more importantly, I wanted to be just like him. 

Then there was my high school wrestling coach (USMC, Vietnam veteran). My coach taught me about discipline, setting goals, and competition. He helped me explore the limits of my capabilities and taught me how to confront challenges and adversary. Perhaps most importantly, he helped me fully understand the concept of "team". Every since those days, it has always been about the team for me; being part of something much bigger than self. He gave everything to the team, and inspired us to do the same. Again, I wanted to grow up to be like him. 

As part of the Air Force Academy admission process, you are required to meet with an Air Force Liaison Officer and ultimately obtain his or her support in receiving an appointment. This is when I met the next mentor I would like to mention. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the USAFR and also a Vietnam veteran who had been shot down over North Vietnam while flying a combat mission. He was subsequently captured and spent several years in the Hanoi Hilton before finally being released with other prisoners. My LO initiated my journey of understanding the meaning of "service". He required me to read several books over the course of a few months. After I read each book, I would meet him at his home in Tulsa, where we would sit down in his study and discuss what I had read (Yes, professional development has been around a long time!). I've never forgotten our discussions or the many sacrifices he and so many have made for our great nation through service. I knew even then that it was a lofty goal, but I wanted to be like him too. 

As I look back on my early mentors, a couple of things come to mind. First of all, it has been way too long since I have picked up the phone to thank them for the direction and motivation they gave me so early in my life. I'll take care of that one today. Secondly, don't underestimate the influence we as men in women in uniform can have on our nation's youth. Those that have a warrior spirit will be attracted to you and will seek you out. Be prepared for this opportunity to capture their enthusiasm and to motivate them towards a career of service. Though he didn't like to talk much about Vietnam or combat, it was the long flights with my uncle in his Piper Arrow that seemed to get him to open up the most. Though he passed away when I was still a young man, I often reflected on those moments as I was watching yet another sunrise out of the cockpit of a KC-135. I gain comfort in the thought that I have grown up to at least be little bit like these great mentors of mine...I wear the uniform and serve my country with pride just like they did.