Mentorship puts IMA on path to dream job

Mentorship was the key that enabled one Individual Mobilization Augmentee to take his leadership to the next level.

2nd Lt. Nathan Johnson, who is fresh out of Officer Training School and awaiting his class date for intelligence school, said the guidance of his chain of command was the force that pushed him to pursue his commissioning and put him on a path to enter a career field he has eyeballed since basic military training.

The road to Johnson’s commissioning started when a close, formerly enlisted friend graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2013. Johnson graduated with his bachelor’s degree the same year and that friend put the bug in his ear that he should think about commissioning.

The rest of the story would unfold as Johnson served with the 802nd Security Forces Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Johnson credits his chief, his operations officer and even the unit commander with providing him the personal encouragement and guidance he needed to earn his commissioning.

Johnson recalled a 45-minute, impromptu chat with his commander where he was able to vocalize his goals and aspirations, including the desire to move into the intel field. The meeting ended with an offer for Johnson to come work full time in investigations, which would give him exposure to the intelligence career field.

He also credited Maj. Patricia Adams, his ops officer, with helping him to understand the options open to him.

Adams, who was a captain and the IMA to the operations officer at the 802nd SFS at the time, downplayed her role in Johnson’s success and said he was a standout Airman from the beginning. She noted that he already had his bachelor’s degree, he had impeccable customs and courtesies, his dress and appearance was spot on, and he presented as a professional.

Now the IMA to the commander at the 902nd SFS, Adams said Johnson was very proactive in seeking mentorship and guidance, asking what he could do to help, and how he could be a better Airman. In a proposition she says is typically a fifty-fifty endeavor between the mentor and mentee, Johnson took a majority share in ownership of the relationships with his mentors.

"To his benefit, he has gone above and beyond his 50 percent," she said. "He has reached out within his chain of command and outside of it, asking ‘what do I need to do to get my commission?’" she added.

After talking with Johnson about pursuing his commission, she let him know she would be happy to lend her support, should he choose that route.

Johnson said that seeing his leadership’s collective action and how they empowered motivated Airmen, how they themselves succeeded, made him believe he would like to commission and even cross train.

Once he had made up his mind to pursue a commissioning, it was time to do his homework and wait for the right opportunity. Johnson began researching various officer career fields online, looking for one that would match his skills and interests, and also meet the needs of the Air Force.

It was summer of 2014 when he found the opportunity he was looking for. An email from Air Force Reserve Command announcing a commissioning officer for a Pacific Command intelligence officer landed in his inbox.

"When the email came, I didn’t hesitate at all," said Johnson.

Answering the call to become an intelligence officer not only met his criteria, but also helped fill a vacancy in an undermanned career field. The Individual Reserve currently has a number of Individual Mobilization Augmentee intel vacancies, many of which offer Reservists career-broadening opportunities, such as serving in the National-Capitol Region (NCR) or in a joint operational environment.

The application process was handled by Headquarters Individual Reservist Readiness and Integration Organization Detachment 2, which operates out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and manages the IMAs assigned to Pacific Command. IMAs are Air Force Reservists assigned to active-duty units and government agencies. They are managed by HQ RIO, located at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado, and seven geographically separated detachments. IMAs serve over 50 separate major commands, combatant commands and government agencies in all Air Force career fields.

Unlike traditional Reservists, who are assigned to Reserve units that regularly perform duty together, IMAs work with their active-duty supervisors to create a custom duty schedule that helps their unit meet mission requirements.

Johnson said the Detachment 2 staff, especially Senior Master Sgt. Nanette Maglinao, stayed on top of things and helped him through the process. That help was important, as the application package was intensive and took several weeks to assemble. "It was way more than just a resume," he added.

After the flurry of activity to assemble and submit his package, the air went dead; Johnson didn’t hear anything for about six months. It was in December 2014 that he got the call to inform him that he passed the first round of examinations and would interview with a board of officers.

Johnson said he hoped he would get the nod for the job, but didn’t want to get his hopes up. When the call finally came, he was on cloud 9.

As he entered officer training school at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, in early 2015, he again found that mentorship was the key to success. From the perspective of a former enlisted member, he said OTS had the familiar feeling of other Air Force trainings, but the example and leadership shown by the instructors was fantastic. He said the amount of one-on-one time afforded him by OTS cadre was especially beneficial in shaping him as an officer.

Johnson hopes to emulate the guidance and mentorship he received on his journey to becoming an officer once he has his own Airmen to lead.

"If I can make these kinds of opportunities happen for Airmen in the future, that is why I pursued this opportunity," said the new lieutenant.

Johnson is currently in a holding pattern while he awaits the start of his technical school but his former ops officer believes his attitude will enable his continued success. She said he is one of the most positive, "big A" Airmen she has ever met, and has always done everything required of him with a smile.

"The Air force got a really good lieutenant," said Adams. "They got a really good officer."