LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Sometimes overcoming new challenges we’ve never faced requires the help of those who have. It’s not always easy to admit that you need guidance, but a great first step is to reach out to someone you can trust – a mentor.
Master Sgt. James Wolnik, 47th Force Support Squadron career development advisor, attributes his enjoyment of the military to the connections formed throughout his career.
“Master Sgt. Gary Russell was the first person that ever kind of took a chance on me,” said Wolnik. “He welcomed me with open arms after I had returned from a deployment and moved into a new leadership position at the fire department. He gave me an environment where I could thrive.”
Wolnik recalled the uncertainty early in his career as a Non-commissioned officer (NCO). Russell’s mentorship provided him with a space to make mistakes, learn and grow.
“It was through his leadership and mentorship, his development, his ability to allow me to fail and get back up again and help me through things that was, I think, really pivotal for my career because that helped drive my decision to stay in the military,” said Wolnik. “I had never had somebody really sit down with me and keep it real.”
Another mentor that helped Wolnik break out of his mold was retired Chief Master Sgt. Keith Castille.
Wolnik had begun his last year as a Military Training Instructor when Castille moved into a position in the same squadron. The two hit it off.
“We went through a lot of personal struggles together and he was just a fantastic individual to have in my corner,” said Wolnik. “The type of individual that would take me out of my comfort zone and show me what it meant to step out of your career and do different things. The opportunities that he gave me have been fantastic.”
What stood out to Wolnik most about his various mentors was their authenticity.
“Never once in my interactions with them, did it feel like they were transactional,” said Wolnik. “They were extremely genuine, and they were passionate about people, and that was kind of what drew me to both of them was just this unyielding passion for people and making everyone around them better.”
That authenticity can inspire lifelong change in people. Like for Staff Sgt. Jared Pounds, 47th Flying Training Wing chapel office NCO in charge of plans and programs, where mentorship came in the form of a supervisor who wasn’t afraid to be honest.
"She told me, ‘You can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip,’” said Pounds. “I was speaking to her about a product I gave her when it came to potentially going up for an award. She knew I could do better.”
Her authentic, unfiltered approach, and 360-degree feedback drew Pounds To respect her and seek her mentorship.
“She helped me realize that while I had potential, I needed to push myself further,” said Pounds. “That genuine interaction and her ability to keep it real inspired me to ask her to be my mentor; she was poised, she knew AFI like the back of her hand, she was confident, clear, fearless, and she got her message across all while being herself.”
The power of authenticity and expertise in mentorship can shape careers and build confidence. For Staff Sgt. Mark Sotherden, mentorship took a different form, one that helped him break out of his shell and find his voice in the Air Force.
Initially shy and reserved, Staff Sgt. Mark Sotherden, 47th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment, found his first mentor in the Air Force through the Laughlin Base Honor Guard. He gravitated toward a charismatic mentor with a loud and magnetic personality.
“Sergeant Johnson could easily talk in front of crowds and his teaching and leading style were very apparent,” said Sotherden. “Anytime I had issues I could shoot him a text and ask for his advice, and he was always willing to help out.
Sotherden emphasized that mentorship isn’t just about learning job skills.
“Mentorship is a relationship where you can talk through your issues, your problems and kind of guide you on your way,” said Sotherden. “They kind of show you how to work through problems without giving you all the answers and make sure you’re not going down these alleyways that lead to nothing.”
The long-term benefits of mentorship extend beyond the uniform.
Wolnik reflected on the relationships he has built through his years serving in the Air Force.
“II think the long-term impacts of mentorship would really be building your tribe,” said Wolnik. “You have a support system around you that's going to help you and you understand that you’re not doing anything alone. I have these people now that I know I can rely on forever.”
Pounds also impressed the importance of a good mentor.
"The impact of mentorship depends on the type of mentor you are and the impression you leave—good or bad,” said Pounds. “I've seen and learned myself of what an NCO shouldn’t do. A great mentor can inspire values, guide decisions, and shape someone’s future."
For Sotherden, mentorship opened doors for new opportunities he didn’t know existed.
“Once I got into Honor Guard I got a lot of different opportunities and I learned a lot of different things in the Air Force through that introduction to networking,” said Sotherden. “I got to talking with someone from finance, medical, public affairs, personnel, communications, and I got to meet a lot of different people just because he was my mentor.”
For Wolnik, one of the most valuable lessons was the importance of taking care of yourself to better serve others.
"You can’t pour from an empty cup," Wolnik explained. "My mentors taught me that to be an effective leader, you have to invest in your own resilience, whether that’s through education, physical fitness, or just taking the time to recharge. It’s about being at your best so you can give your best to others."
Pounds recalled a lesson that stuck with him:
"My mentor taught me to give people my undivided attention," said Pounds. "It doesn’t matter how small their problem might seem to you—what they’re dealing with could be their crisis. That advice completely changed how I approach helping others and building trust."
For Sotherden, his mentor’s advice was about focus and perspective.
"Don’t drown in the noise," he said, echoing words that shaped his approach to daily challenges. "There will always be a million tasks and distractions, but my mentor taught me to prioritize what’s important. Even small wins, like sending that one crucial email, can make a difference."