CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Mentorship is no foreign word to members of the military. Airmen are taught early in their career to seek out mentors to grow and become a prime example for others.
The Gen. Billy J. Boles Mentorship Award honors those individuals who put forth great effort in mentoring Airmen to reach higher standards of excellence and foster professional enhancement, and one Cannon Senior NCO, Master Sgt. Michael L. Fisher, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor, won the award this month at the Air Force Special Operations Command level.
Air Commando Senior NCO’s not only understands the importance of having a mentor, but also being one in return.
“If we are in a position to offer something to someone, I feel as if we have an obligation to do so,” said Fisher.
Some of Fisher’s accomplishments include designing and implementing a deliberate mentorship program and successfully mentoring four NCOs who completed two Community College of the Air Force degrees which were previously stalled prior to being mentored by Fisher.
“I aim to provide some degree of guidance and invest in someone else for the sake of their benefit,” Fisher said. “I hope they will walk away much more effective and capable as an individual in the United States Air Force.”
Fisher has also published his program to allow other private organizations to enhance their mentorship capabilities and scope of influence.
“Master Sgt. Fisher is dedicated to ensuring all airmen are heading in the right and successful direction,” said Pari Archwarin, 27th SOFSS the force development flight chief. “He is a true quiet professional who finds ways to bring out the best in everyone he encounters.”
His efforts have directly impacted 583 Airmen and supported 531 missions across the wing.
“There’s no way for us to remain a high-performing organization and relevant in the world as an Air Force if we can’t take time to ensure the individual contributors are continually growing, pushing the boundaries and operating at the highest level they possibly can,” Fisher said. “Mentorship in my opinion is absolutely fundamental to making that a reality.”
Moving forward from his accomplishments, Fisher’s goal will be to create a cycle of mentorship that continues to repeat itself.