Mentors

Mentoring Program

The United States National Guard Bureau requires that each applicant must have at least one mentor while participating.

What is a mentor?

A Challenge Program mentor is a person 21 years of age or older who provides encouragement, instruction and support to a younger person by earning trust and modeling positive behaviors and characteristics.
 
Cadets in the Thunderbird Challenge Program seek mentors who serve as role models and offer valuable learning experiences based on their own journeys. Above all, these cadets desire mentors who can provide guidance and unwavering support as they strive to shape their own identities and futures.
 
Mentors take on the role of the Sergeants, Counselors, Educators, and all TCP staff

  • Important to cadet success

  • A positive role model

  • Supporter

  • Committed / Dependable

Have a mentor in mind?

Send your potential mentor the following page that describes the mentor program.

Become A Mentor

Requirements

8 hours during the Residential Phase.

  • Home Passes
  • Mentor Passes

Mentor Qualifications

  • Must be at least 21 years of age
  • Same gender as student
  • Live in same community as student
  • May not live in the same household as applicant
  • DEPENDABLE AND WILLING to follow through with the Residential and Post Residential phases of the program

Suggestions to find mentors

  • Neighbors
  • Schools – staff personnel
  • Churches
  • Police Officers
  • Firemen
  • Military personnel
  • Family Friends
  • Senior Citizens
  • Civic Organizations

Getting Started…
Matching process

Mentors will need to turn in the following forms by the beginning of the cycle, preferably before.

  • Mentor application
  • Two references (non-family members)
  • Interview questionnaire
  • Background check (handled by Thunderbird)
  • Onsite mentor training

FILES:

You must have a complete file to be accepted to TCP

THREE MANDATORY PASSES:

Cadets must be picked up on time.

NORTHEAST TECH:

Payments must be made at enrollment to NTC not TCP.

PHYSICALS & VACCINATIONS:

These must be completed before your student can enter.