423rd defenders provide mentorship through action

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  Airmen from the 423rd Security Forces Squadron aren't just keeping our installations safe -- they are actively mentoring young British students finishing their 11th year of school.

The defenders work closely with a of group students from The Manor, a school in Cambridge, once a week. What started as an idea from their honorary commander, the defenders have turned into a program they like to call mentorship through action.

"These students don't just need someone telling them what they are capable of; they need someone to show them," Staff Sgt. Daniel Baker, 423rd SFS said. "We hope to do that by taking their ideas and showing them how to plan, coordinate and execute a variety of teambuilding events while building their confidence and broadening their skills."

The Manor's principal believes gaining confidence and boosting their self esteem are key reasons to have the Airmen as mentors for his students.

"When you talk to (these students) for the first time they might appear brash upfront," Ben Slade said. "However they are very worried about a lot of things in their lives, and don't believe they can achieve their potential. They wouldn't (be a part of this program) if they were all on the right track."

Baker believes the partnership between the squadron and the school has already paid dividends for the students.

"The students have already begun believing in themselves," Baker said. "When we started brainstorming ideas for projects, the initial ideas were very simple. As we talked through some of the projects, they started to believe they could do more and have come up with great ideas."

According to Baker, the students have grown in the program and have begun to take that next step and buy into the mentorship process.

"After we started asking questions, they came up with the answers themselves," Baker said. "We don't want to do things for them, but facilitate and enable them to complete the tasks."

The goal of the program is to have sustained momentum for the students not just now but in the future.

"These students come from a background that puts them at a disadvantage. They suffer from low expectations, and we hope to raise that bar," Baker said. "We will challenge them while providing them with the tools to succeed, which I hope will translate to better their lives."

Patrick, a 15-year-old student in the program, shares Baker's desire for the mentorship to be a success for his classmates and himself.

"I just want to make my community better, and be a better citizen for Cambridge," Patrick said.

Now the next step for the defenders is to improve upon their own program for future students.

"Our partnership this year only allows us about half a school year to work with these students," Baker said. "In the future, with a full year, we want to develop a program that will plan and execute a number of events culminating in a larger event in the summer."