Photo By Patricia Dubiel | Platt and her group of seven mentees in front of the Lincoln Monument.... read more read more
Mentors are selected through a competitive process, according to Platt.
“You have to be an officer and experienced in working with students,” she said. “It is open to all U.S. military branches worldwide, but only 17 people are picked to go.”
Platt’s application packet highlighted aspects of her Army career as well as her high school activities, including involvement in clubs, community service and sports. “I think they (the selection board) want to make sure the mentors can relate to these kids and have something to talk about, so they look for that kind of experience,” she said.
Military mentors are meant to show the diversity of career fields in the services and demonstrate how educated careerists contribute to mission readiness. Platt has a degree in biology but is a 42B, human resources specialist, in the Army.
Platt said her group of seven girls had some preconceived notions about the Army — images of tough guys running through the woods, firing weapons — but their time with Platt enlightened them.
“Yes, there are people in the Army who do that, but there is so much more and so many other ways to serve,” she said. “I hope I was able to show them another aspect of military service.”
The USSYP selects two student leaders from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity to spend a week in Washington experiencing their national government in action. Student delegates hear major policy addresses by senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense and directors of other federal agencies, as well as participate in meetings with the president and a justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Part of the mentors’ role in the program is to facilitate conversations between the students. “These kids were meeting other students from all over the country that were excited about government and politics,” Platt said. “They were given a great area to share thoughts and ideas, and have friendly debates about those subjects.” Platt explained that mentors were not permitted to add their input into these conversations — just encourage the students to talk and ensure everyone had their fair say. “I wanted to teach them about the importance of being respectful to others, even when they have a different opinion,” Platt said. “I think they learned a lot from me.”
Platt was accountable for her students’ whereabouts at all times. This required keeping a close eye on the group as they moved from place to place in Washington, touring crowded facilities and hearing certain speakers — a unique experience Platt and her group could share.
“This was such a great opportunity for me, not just to able to mentor the students but also to be part of their experience, and together we heard U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts and the president speak,” she said. “It was amazing for all the military mentors to be able to tag along on the students’ experience. I was able to see and hear things that I would never have had the chance to experience otherwise.”
Being a mentor also gave Pratt a boost of confidence, which she said is invaluable to honing her leadership skills. “I learned some things from the other military mentors and from our coaches (those with previous experience in the program). I think the experience will make me a better leader,” she said. “I was also asked to come back again next year to be a military assistant mentor. I think I’ll do it, because it is such an awesome experience.”
Officers interested in participating in the program can check out the website at www.ussenateyouthprogram.org for more information.
“I would encourage any officer to try it out,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.04.2019 14:10 |
| Story ID: | 316952 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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