KAITSEVÄE AKADEEMIA KADETTIDE OOTUSED MENTORLUSE SUHTES

MENTORSHIP EXPECTATIONS OF CADETS IN THE ESTONIAN MILITARY ACADEMY

Abstract

Mentorship is a relationship-focused practice that plays
a significant role in supporting the development of young officers. This research
sets out to describe and systematise cadets’ expectations for mentorship at the
Estonian Military Academy. The article examines three areas of mentorship: cadets’
experiences with the current mentorship programme, their perception of the different
roles of mentors and mentees, and finally their expectations for mentorship
in the Estonian Military Academy. This qualitative phenomenological research was
conducted with semi-structured interviews in three focus groups. The results of the
study reveal that the cadets, based on their previous experiences and role perceptions,
have clear expectations for mentorship both as a programme of development
and support for their studies. When we compared the results of this study with the
competency model for military leaders, it revealed that the expectations of cadets for
mentors are comparable with the leadership competency as described in the model.
The results of this study contribute to shaping and implementing mentorship programmes
because the development of mentorship will ultimately benefit all participants
and the Defence Forces as a whole.