Finding mentorship: An Academy Reservist speaks out

Published March 11, 2015
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Editor's note: Dr. Ruth Ann German is a flight surgeon as both a civilian and a Reservist at the Cadet Medical Clinic here. As a Reserve lieutenant colonel, she's served in the Air Force for 10 years on active duty service and seven years in the Reserve after graduating from the Academy in 1995. Public Affairs staff writer Airman 1st Class Rachel Hammes recently interviewed German on the importance of mentorship.

What was the climate in the Air Force toward women when you joined the Air Force?

I always felt very accepted. I was an acquisitions officer for two years after I graduated from the Academy, and they gave me as much responsibility as I could handle. There was never a question about being treated professionally and with respect. We're spoken to about how important it is to treat people equally as cadets. When I first showed up for Basic Cadet Training, one of the basics who was with me said, "I have to be honest, I really don't think women should be in the military. I think it makes men feel like they have to protect them, and it distracts men from the mission." I do think at one point I had to carry his rifle for him during a run, so I'm pretty sure we made all things even by the end of training. I believe there are people who have those opinions, but usually, if you can talk through it and let your performance speak for itself, those issues become non-issues. I want to be understanding when people have concerns or issues. As an adult, you want to talk through things and find some resolution. But at some point, you have to just go out and do your job, and take those concerns and turn them on their head. But I always felt really safe and supported as a cadet, and I feel the Academy bent over backward to make me feel welcome.

Did you have difficulty finding mentorship?

I don't think I did. There were people at every turn who were available to help, from my academic advisor to one of the providers in the cadet clinic. Alma Guzman, who was an active-duty nurse practitioner in the cadet clinic before joining the Air Force civil service as a victim advocate, retired in 2013. She was one of those people who helped you feel good about yourself, no matter how bad of a day you were having. She was such a good listener. I always felt there were those people you could find if you were bold enough to ask for help.

Have your mentors primarily been male or female?

I think I've sought out mentors who achieved goals or been down paths that resonated with me. It was more about wanting to follow a similar path. If I had to guess, it would probably be 50/50. It's a little harder to find female mentors in the Air Force or in a professional context, just because there are fewer women. We make up less than 20 percent of the Air Force. In the time I've been in the military, there's been a female of higher rank who was available in the medical group or some other area I functioned in who was always available to answer questions. But I do think it's about having to ask for help. I think military members, in general, are more willing to serve others.

Do you think it's more difficult for women to find mentorship than men?

Maybe in the military it's just our sheer numbers - there are fewer of us. As a cadet, I felt hesitant to ask for help, because I felt like I needed to be strong on my own and not appear weak. Maybe others feel the same way.

How would your career be different without mentorship?

I think the mentors who helped me boosted my confidence at times when I was unsure of myself, or when I was really struggling to make a decision. I needed a sounding board. There were times I wasn't sure I would fulfill my dream of going to medical school. But the people I surrounded myself with and asked questions of and kept going back to would continually push me ahead. I hope I would have made it, even without them - but I'm not sure. Because during those times when you're not feeling confident with yourself, it does help to have someone boost you up and remind you that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

How do you approach mentorship?

As a Reservist, I really only spend time with my active duty squadron and the people I work with here. There are definitely people available within my unit and within my group - and even within my professional circle - that I know I could go to at any time. My questions are different now, of course, than they were when I was a cadet or a young lieutenant. I still think relying on other people to answer questions and help clarify things you have a hard time being objective about is invaluable. I still look to many people I work with to make sure we're all on the same page.

What kind of issues do you bring to a mentor now, and how do they differ from the issues you had at the beginning of your career?

Career progression is definitely near the top of the list, and then questions about the direction our squadron or flight is heading. I look for mentorship in those areas, partly to make sure I'm headed in the right direction in my profession. Learning about the next step of leadership is very important to me.

Do you mentor others now? Are they primarily male or female?

I would hope I could always be approachable. Being a good listener is something I've always worked on, because I feel it's one of the most important characteristics of a good mentor. I definitely want to serve others in whatever capacity I can. Especially for young Airmen - I would hope that seeing females who aren't afraid to be in charge of their section or have additional leadership goals in mind can set a good example. I hope we can mentor along the way.

What issues do you help them with?

My husband and I made the decision when we were dual military that we would have a family and balance our two careers. Even now, with him retired from the Air Force, it's a constant balance of family and work. I think that can be very intimidating to young female Airmen starting out on their professional lives. To see other women have found a way to balance work and home is very helpful, because it was very intimidating to think of that from the other side. As a newly-married lieutenant, it was overwhelming. Mentors often turn into greater support in times of need, like during deployments. People in the military are so good at rallying around families when a loved one is deployed. I certainly have benefited from that as both the spouse and the deployed member.

Personal things pop up - finance, family and relationships. I'd rather hear it before it gets really bad. As a supervisor, I encourage people to come to me as soon as they know there's a problem. We all have problems and there's no shame in that. But it's best to ask for help early, rather than wait until your snowball is so big you're about to get run over by it. I think the ability to be an honest communicator as an adult is such an important situation, because the more we're able to be open and honest with each other, the better we can help each other.

Do you have tips for others hoping to find mentors?

I would seek people out who have achieved goals you want to achieve, or who function in ways you find admirable. Start asking them questions, and don't be afraid to ask them for help, even though you might feel as if you aren't as strong and independent as you thought you were. Those who make it to the top don't do it alone.