DO:

• Remember that you are there to assist the AOC, not replace him or her. 
• Listen to the AOC’s perspective on the squadron and reach a mutual understanding of how you can help and what your role is to be from an AOG perspective.
• Be an active participant, not a “ghost” mentor. Commit to the program or don’t volunteer.
• Be genuine and straightforward with the cadets. They are as quick to pick out a phony as we were.
• Spend more time in the receive than the transmit mode with the cadets.
• Be willing to share your experiences, both military and civilian, career and family. They are hungry to hear about the “real Air Force,” as well as life after blue suits and green IDs.
• Watch for “strays” and “mavericks”. You can be a great influence one-on-one with these folks. A sympathetic ear and counselor outside the Academy chain can be a great help.
• Build it and they will come.” Rapport and trust are the stuff that will make this program work.

DON’T

• Interfere with the AOC’s authority or place yourself between him/her and the squadron on issues. Remember, we serve as guests of the AOC.
• Resort to “We had it tough last year”. The present cadets were not there in the “good, old days,” nor are these days relevant when discussing privileges, cars, or whatever. Some things stay the same (honor, duty) but it’s a different world from when you were a cadet.
• Expect cadets initially to spend a great deal of time with you. Their time is more compressed than ours was in some respects and they should not have to look upon us as just another time thief.
• Badmouth the Air Force. You should be objective and constructive.
• Badmouth the Academy. Cadets are still the ultimate cynics; your fueling that cynicism will not help them or the Academy mission.
• Allow cadets to violate policies and regulations in your presence. The sponsor program had more than a few horror stories about underage drinking and other problems. We cannot afford to allow the Graduate Mentor Program to be tarnished by such episodes.