The document discusses the Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP) at the U.S. Naval Academy. AMP pairs alumni mentors with protégés to help with career transitions, decisions, and finding wisdom and advice from those who have experience. Lieutenant Triplett used AMP and connected with Commander Benson as a mentor. The program has helped over 800 alumni through mentoring relationships and is available for any alumni in or out of the military.

1. 34 SHIPMATE
Change can be difficult,rewarding
and downright intimidating.What
if the wrong choice is made?What if
plan B was the better option?What
about timing?
Most likely,someone has been in
your position before.Why not ask how it
was handled? Or was it successful? Perhaps
you can share your advice and experience.
Lieutenant GeraldTriplett ’06,USN,
registered with theAlumni Mentoring
Program (AMP) and leveraged the
wisdom and experience of mentor
Commander Kirk Benson ’87,USN
(Ret.). AMP is a service available to all
alumni—active military or civilian.
Established as the 50th Legacy Gift of the
Class of 1969,the program promotes the
USNA culture of alumni helping alumni.
BeenThere,DoneThat
“This program just makes sense.
I believe if more people joined,either
as a mentor or protégé,they would find
it quite rewarding themselves,”said
Commander Benson.His protégé,
Lieutenant Triplett agrees.“AMP has
proven to be another link in the chain,
which connects alumni and allows us to
draw from the strengths and wisdom of
one another,”he added.
Lieutenant Commander Kristie
Colpo ’04,USN,describes a similar
experience with her mentor Captain
Stephen Sloane ’57,USN (Ret.).
“My frequent chats with Lieutenant
Commander Colpo have given me a
chance to continue to relish the satisfaction
that is indeed the very best part of
being an officer,”said Captain Sloane.
A LOCATIONTRANSFER,A CAREERTRANSITION,A LIFE DECISION.
Photos courtesy of Christina Stevenson,
director of administration & recruiting—AMP

2. Membership and Services, Fall 2014 35
“This is the comradeship that bonds people
together in the sharing of thoughts and
emotions that all naval officers still have
in common.”
Some connections may seem unlikely.
Colpo graduated more than 50 years after
Sloane.However,their connection has
proved to be life-changing,for both of them.
“Joining theAlumni Mentoring
Program is one of the smartest decisions
I’ve ever made,”said Colpo.“My mentor and friend,Captain
Steve Sloane,is invaluable.He inspires me to be my best and
true self—for that,I can never thank him enough.To the Class
of ’69,thank you for your gift.It has changed my life.”
That mutual benefit is what so manyAMP participants
report,and the inspiration for the Class of ’69’s gift of the
program to theAlumniAssociation.For their 50-year reunion
gift,members of the class wanted to find a way to give back to
all alumni.By funding and launching theAMP program,the
Class of ’69 established a tool to enable connections far beyond
chance meetings at chapter events or social media networking.
Instead,alumni mentors and protégés are matched through
extensive profiles online.Using proprietary software in a
confidential setting,alumni participants are able to participate
and connect using their own preferences.
“AMP is an excellent opportunity to help NavalAcademy
graduates transition from military to civilian careers,”said
Dan Filippini ’72,anAMP mentor.
Commander Mike Sharp ’94,USN (Ret.),had a similar
experience as a protégé.
“John’s advice and encouragement was invaluable during my
transition into a new position with my current company,”said
Sharp.“Now that I’m settled,we’re working on some more
long-term goals and objectives.While a part of me wishes this
program existed when I first left active duty 15 years ago,I greatly
appreciate the fact it exists now.I highly encourage all alumni to
participate inAMP, no matter where you are in your career.”
ThroughAMP, Sharp was paired with his mentor,
John Cerasuolo ’83.
“It was a real pleasure working with Mike as he navigated
through a career transition,”explained Cerasuolo.“I think I
benefited from the exchange as much as he did.”
Since the summer of 2012,more than 800 alumni have
registered asAMP mentors and protégés,with nearly 500
matched as active mentoring pairs.
Once matched online,most participants
connect by phone to discuss issues
throughout the stages of a military or
civilian career,how to balance work and
home life,or how to cope with life’s
challenges.Some meet once to discuss a
particular issue,others develop a longer
lasting bond over time.The relationship is
limited only by the individuals involved.
Further,participants may sign up as both a
mentor and a protégé and be involved with multiple mentors
and protégés.The program is set up to be flexible and meet the
needs of the individual participants.
“Superb advice from my mentor,”said Susan Koye ’83,who
was paired with Filippini during her career transition.“Thank
you for creating this wonderful program.”
Sign UpToday
1. Go to www.usna.com/amp
2. View the mentor/protégé training
video to get started
3. Benefit from a terrific program
* Profiles typically take about 15 to 30
minutes to complete