Program links transitioning service members with mentors Published June 29, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Dallas Edwards 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Nebraska -- The Airman & Family Readiness Center will be hosting an informational seminar on the Excel with a Mentor program June 30. Excel with a Mentor is a voluntary program designed to familiarize transitioning service members with the corporate setting and gain realistic career perspectives. It links service members who will be leaving the military soon with experienced members of the civilian workforce. There are many mentoring opportunities that range from entry level to executive management. "When I contemplated transitioning from a career that spanned four decades, I knew I was entering a world which was relatively unfamiliar to me--the civilian sector," said retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Becker, now human resource specialist at Hexagon Lincoln Incorporated. "One of my first steps was to contact the Offutt A&FRC to participate in the Transition Assistance Program seminar and while doing so, discovered a great hidden gem known as Excel with a Mentor." The program was started two years ago by Barry Wilkinson, A&FRC Team Leader and Community Readiness Consultant, and Ralph Maldonado, a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant who is s now a human resources professional for Mutual of Omaha. "The first year we initially used 25 [Mutual of Omaha] employees to test the program with 25 active duty personnel getting ready to separate or retire," said Wilkinson. Since then, the program has grown. "At the present we have approximately 50 different businesses involved providing mentors." Wilkinson said. "In 2013 the partnership expanded to include the Human Resources Association of the Midlands ... and while many are locally operated, most have national or international ties." There is a six month commitment to the program where mentee's and mentors share ideas, review resumes, practice interviewing, and expand their professional network. There are numerous mentoring opportunities that range from entry level to executive management. The mentor understands that it is not about them taking on the responsibility of finding employment for the mentee but helping them understand how to navigate the corporate world. The program is designed to complement the Transition Assistance Program. "TAP teaches them how to write a resume and gives helpful information on interviewing, etc." Wilkinson explained. "However, (this program will give) practical experience." Many have already benefited from the program and are enthusiastic about the results. "My opinion in Airman's terms is that TAP is the career development course and Excel is on-the-job training," said retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Robert Puhl. "Both are necessary, but Excel is where the rubber starts hitting the runway." "My experience with this program was and is ground breaking," said Noah Carpenter, a human resources specialist and retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant. "I was introduced to so many people and networks that, being in the military, would not have the opportunity to do so if I had not had my mentor." Carpenter highly recommends the program to members getting ready to leave the military. "They will get as much or more out of the program than they put in," he explained. "[Program participants] will never know what doors could be opened for them if they do not try." Carpenter and others continue to assist others who are leaving the military. "I now help with the Transition Assistance Panels (during TAP) and tell every military person weather they are staying in the area or no, they will have access to networks that could pay off more in the future more than they can imagine," said Carpenter. "Mentors help with resumes, interview questions, interview posture - believe it or not, and set you up for that first interview. I could talk for hours on the gains for this program." Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kathleen Cooper also found success with the program. "Many of the community mentors have a background in human resources and possess a strong desire to help military in transition," said Cooper. "Additionally, I could not have selected a better mentor for myself. My mentor, April Strong the vice president of human resources, helped me smoothly successfully transition to civilian life by being encouraging and providing resume tips." Excel with a Mentor was benchmarked by the Air Force as well as the Air Combat Command Inspector General team. And the Human Resources Association of the Midlands earned the Society for Human Resources "Pinnacle" Award from their national office in 2014 for being involved with the program. Furthermore, the governor's office for the state of Nebraska is working to adopt this program for the National Guard statewide. Those who wish to attend the seminar or would like further information on the seminar should contact the A&FRC to make a reservation. They can be reached at (402) 294-4329. Currently the program is only available to active duty, Guard and Reserve service members.