Fridays with Fleet: Defining Mentorship

"Not every day is going to be rainbows and butterflies, and you have to accept it and embrace it... You're maturing and learning lessons from success or failure." -FLTCM James "Smitty" Tocorzic Podcast produced by MCC Sarah Villegas

"If a 19 or 20-year-old, brand new to the Navy, can help me get to the results more efficiently, then I'm going to use that all day long. I'm not too proud to say it has to go this way because it's my idea." -FLTCM James "Smitty" Tocorzic Podcast produced by MCC Sarah Villegas

Fleet Master Chief James "Smitty" Tocorzic shares a message on FY-23 Chief Petty Officer Results. “Congratulations to all of those who found out that they were selected for Chief Petty Officer. A lot of busy weeks here ahead of you… To the First Classes that were not on the list this year, I will tell you: Do not give up. Continue to dig in, continue to lead your Sailors, continue to find ways to better yourself, and make yourself more competitive. I need your leadership on the deckplates just as I just as much as I need the Chiefs, so thank you all for your service.” -FLTCM Tocorzic

Fleet Master Chief James "Smitty" Tocorzic shares the story of how he joined the U.S. Navy.

Fleet Master Chief James "Smitty" Tocorzic discusses "Rabbit Mentors" who inspire us to move a little faster and be a little better. "I jokingly call him my rabbit, because every time I would get close to catching him, he would advance… So I was constantly chasing him, which was good because it kept me constantly striving to be better and do better.”

Fleet Master Chief James "Smitty" Tocorzic discusses informal mentors who have made an impact on his life and career. "He was somebody that was mentoring me without even knowing that he was... just by the example that he set."

Fleet Master Chief James "Smitty" Tocorzic shares his definition of Mentorship and what it really means to mentor someone.

The Office of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Master Chief is hosting a podcast series to foster positive discussions on life, leadership, culture, resilience, and warfighting readiness. Fleet Master Chief James "Smitty" Tocorzic speaks on topics that impact Sailors and families across the U.S. Pacific Fleet.