About Mentoring

The National Guard ChalleNGe Program's mentoring component has several unique features:

•  An integrated approach
•  Parallel recruiting processes
•  Friendly match strategy

An integrated approach. Mentoring is fully integrated into each program phase. It is not treated as a program separate from the rest of ChalleNGe. All aspects of mentoring are occurring year-round: recruitment, screening, training, matching, and ongoing supervision of the mentoring relationship. Following the match, mentoring relationships are closely monitored and supported by case managers.

Parallel recruiting processes. Recruitment of mentors and cadets occurs simultaneously-a very efficient use of resources. Most programs require that each cadet application includes at least one potential mentor applications.  Over ninety percent of ChalleNGe mentors are nominated by corpsmembers at the beginning of the residential phase, eliminating the isolation many mentors feel when matched with strangers. Mentors are then screened, trained and matched during the residential phase.

Friendly match strategy.  Corpsmembers actively participate in the recruitment of mentors through relationships they had prior to entering the ChalleNGe program.  ChalleNGe was the first mentoring program of significant size and scale to use this strategy which has proven to be very effective and efficient.  While the average recruitment-to-match rate for other large mentoring organizations is seven to one, ChalleNGe is able to maintain a two to one ratio, with close to 7,000 mentors matched each year.