Announcement of the Mentors for Marines Pilot

1.  Purpose. This MARADMIN announces the initiation
of the Mentors for Marines Pilot to test the applicability of a 
tailored communication plan for Marines engaging in mentorship. 
Manpower and Reserve Affairs is seeking applicants for both mentors
and mentees to participate in the pilot as described below.
2.  Background
2.a.  In the interest of member education, training, transition,
and resilience, reference (a) directs the development of a 
mentoring program that has a diverse participant population in 
support of retention. Reference (b) requires that we recruit, 
retain, and align the best talent with the needs of the service.
Reference (c) defines mentoring as "a voluntary relationship 
between two individuals and should not be directed or forced. One
individual has experience and knowledge and is seeking to guide 
another whose development they have taken interest in. The other
individual seeks to learn, gain experience, and model his or her
development after the person providing guidance. Mentoring happens
most effectively when two individuals find commonality." By 
harnessing the collective wisdom and experience of our mentors, 
leaders will be able to give back and share their knowledge and 
lessons learned with junior members, helping them for long-term 
personal and professional success. This selfless support has the 
potential to benefit every member of our organization.
2.b.  Manpower Plans and Policy Division will implement this pilot
to test a virtual enhancement to the organic, in-person mentoring 
connections that happen every day. The virtual format provides an 
additional avenue to mentoring, enabling individuals to forge 
meaningful connections and share knowledge and experience regardless 
of their location or duty station. By taking part in the Mentors for 
Marines Pilot, participants will directly impact and contribute to 
the evaluation of a virtual mentorship platform that aims to 
transcend geographic barriers and connect mentors and mentees 
serving across the globe by using specific criteria that best meets 
their needs. 
3. Execution
3.a. Phase I:  Participant Solicitation (Nov 2024 – 10 Jan 2025)
3.a.(1).  Active Component Marines of all ranks and Military 
Occupational Specialty are eligible to participate.
3.a.(2).  Participants require access to a cell phone or MCEN-N 
computer. If using a MCEN-N computer, the computer shall be enabled
with audio and microphone capabilities; camera access is preferred,
but not required. 
3.a.(3).  Applications are due no later than (NLT) 10 January 2025.
3.b. Phase II: Participant Selection (13 - 31 Jan 2025)
3.b.(1).  Participants will be selected and matched based upon 
appropriate distribution of rank and mentee/mentor enrollment.
3.b.(2).  Applicants will receive an email notifying them of their
selection status NLT 31 January 2025. Those selected to participate
will receive coordinating instructions for the next phase.
3.c.  Phase III:  Execute Connection Plan (3 Feb – 14 Apr 2025)
3.c.(1).  Participants can expect to spend 2-3 hours per week for 
10 weeks to complete the requirements of the pilot.
3.c.(2).  Once matched, a mentor and mentee will decide on a 
connection plan offered by the pilot platform. 
3.c.(3).  Both the mentor and mentee will provide feedback and
recommendations throughout this phase regarding the connection plan
content, usability of the platform, and quality of the engagements.
3.d.  Phase IV: Evaluation and Reporting (Apr – May 2025).
Participant's ratings and feedback will be used to evaluate the 
effectiveness and efficiency of the communication plan program and
overall Mentors for Marines Pilot.
4.  Participants can apply at the following link: 
https:(slash)(slash)forms.osi.apps.mil/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2k
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5.  Release authorized by Brigadier General David R. Everly, 
Director, Manpower Plans and Policy Division, Manpower and Reserve 
Affairs.