WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Air Force recently launched an improved and re-branded Career Path Tool, called MyVector, which encourages mentorship between Airmen at all levels.

The first step in the success of MyVector is for Airmen to volunteer to be mentors and share their experience and expertise with other Airmen.

“Mentoring and networking are two of the most important things for leaders to embrace,” said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. “Mentoring represents an investment — one where we may not know the impact until many years later.”

The reconfigured online platform supporting mentoring has a modern look and feel. These new configurations support not only the traditional by-name request method of requesting a mentor, but also provide a mentor-matching capability based on weighted characteristics identified by the Airman searching for a mentor.

MyVector has a real-time mentoring plan, discussion forums, a bullet tracker to document accomplishments, and the ability to dialogue online with your mentor. A resource page is also available to assist both parties with mentoring questions and relationships.

“Air Force mentoring fosters a culture of inclusion for all Airmen while maximizing their strengths, and is aligned with the culture of the Air Force for mission accomplishment,” said Dr. Patricia McGill, the doctrine, institutional competencies and mentoring chief. “MyVector captures Airmen experiences within and across Air Force specialty codes and occupational series. Mentors will be able to provide feedback on their mentees’ career progression.”

Mentorship requires time, effort and dedication. To assist with this process, there is a “Mentoring Checklist” in Air Force Manual 36-2643, “Air Force Mentoring Program,” which outlines how to plan for the different mentoring sessions.

“No matter your age, it’s important to help each other,” James said. “Seek a mentor and be a mentor.”