Recruit company mentors motivate enlistees

By PA1 John Gaffney, PADET St. Petersburg

TAMPA, Fla. - Each year, more than 4,000 recruits, about 10 percent of the Coast Guard active duty force, graduate from boot camp at Training Center Cape May, N.J.

A dedicated cadre of recruit company commanders and instructors strives to motivate the recruits during their eight weeks of training, to instill Coast Guard core values and standards, and teach skills they need to succeed while serving their country. The cadre is assisted by recruit company mentors – active and reserve Coast Guard members who volunteer to travel to Cape May to interact with recruits, set a good example, and provide a “real life” Coast Guard perspective.

Lt. Nelson Santiago of Marine Safety Office Tampa, Fla., recently served as a recruit company mentor and found it a rewarding experience.  Santiago, a mentor for two companies, November and Oscar 169, traveled three times to Cape May to meet with “his” recruits. 

“My first visit was on Friday of their second week of training,” he said.  “I spent some quality time with the recruits in the evening and gave them a pep talk.”  He found the recruits to be tired, but also keenly interested in his Coast Guard experiences.

The recruits peppered Santiago with questions during that first visit.  After returning to   work, he kept in touch with company commanders, monitoring the recruits’ progress via e-mail from his office in Tampa.

Three weeks later, Santiago returned to Cape May.  His second visit was timed to coincide with the receipt of assignment orders by the recruits.  They thirsted for any information Santiago could provide on their upcoming assignments.

Santiago couldn’t believe the transformation that had occurred in the companies. “It was amazing,” he said.  “At first, the recruits were like chickens with their heads cut off.  They were all thumbs.  When I went back, I found them to be greatly matured and much more poised.”

Following his second visit, Santiago again returned to his duties and continued to monitor the progress of his charges.  He also sent encouraging e-mails to the members of November and Oscar 169.

CAPE MAY, N.J. - Recruit company mentors provide needed perspective to recruits during boot camp, earning the recruits' gratitude as well as the appreciation of their families.  U.S. Coast Guard photo

Santiago returned to the training center for his third and final mentoring visit just before graduation day.  He socialized with the recruits graduation eve and shared tips on reporting to their new units.

During graduation ceremonies, Santiago addressed the triumphant recruits and joined the training center commanding officer in congratulating the recruits on their achievement.

“It was a great experience,” he said.  “I would certainly do it again.”

Santiago will have to wait a while for his next opportunity to mentor a recruit company.  According to Chief Warrant Officer Bill Carson, recruit company mentor program coordinator, the program has a complete slate of mentors lined up for the next 12 months.  Even though the slate is full, Carson is eager to get the word on the program out to all members of the Coast Guard.

“We want the best of the best to be mentors here,” he said.  “This is an outstanding program for the recruits, it gives them an opportunity to let their guard down, get new ideas about the Coast Guard, and see the Coast Guard through the mentors’ eyes,” he added. Recruit company mentors have ranged in rank from 3rd class petty officer to admiral.  According to Carson, rank isn’t important, but being an outstanding role model is paramount.

While recruits reap the greatest benefits from the mentor program, the mentors are also enriched by the experience. They leave with a new appreciation for boot camp training and the knowledge they have made a difference at a critical point in the recruits’ fledgling careers.

According to Santiago, the recruits’ graduation from boot camp wasn’t the end of his mentor experience as he still corresponds regularly with the graduates of November and Oscar 169.

EDNOTE: For more information on the mentor program, log on to www.uscg.mil/hq/capemay, and follow the mentor program links, or call CWO Carson at (609) 898-6969.  Interested Coast Guard members are encouraged to apply for the program.  Eligible members are also strongly encouraged to consider serving as company commanders at the training center.

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