How long should a mentor help the Cadet? Continue with a Cadet after he steals from you. Continue to work with a cadet after he steals a second time. Continue after the Cadet doesn’t get a job. Continue after the cadet won’t make the change from night-life to day-life. Continue after the cadet gets two jobs with a total of six days of work in ten months. Continue after you watch the cadet run from solutions that would solve the problem. Continue when you suspect he’s using illegal chemicals to numb his mind. Continue when the cadet whines about depression in the midst of a failing life-style. Continue when the cadet talks the talk but fails to maintain “the walk”. Continue when the cadet’s Lexus payment is due. Continue when the cadet’s cell phone shuts-off and panic sets-in. Continue when the cadet steals from a grandparent or a mother. Continue when the cadet borrows money from friends and family members. Continue when the third traffic court hearing nears and the cadet has no money. Continue when the cadet says “Help me…I’m falling” but you notice he’s standing at the edge of a cliff and doesn’t moves back.       The good stuff that keeps the a mentor going:   The cadet plans to enter the military and has completed all the “steps” he can. The cadet solves his major financial problems with the help of relatives.  Problems include his car payment, cell phone payment, car repairs. The cadet solves the problems that he causes with his family and friends. The cadet does all he can to maintain a clean record for military enlistment. The cadet trusts his mentor and demonstrates that trust. The cadet gets depressed with his situation and wonders if life has more.       The conclusion… It’s a gamble when you help a cadet.  It’s a risky road when you try to save a life.  It’s a mentor’s job.  Save a life and the rewards are with you forever.  Lose and the memory will linger like a spider in the house. That's enough. Thank you, Sir. I want to go home! or And, sometimes we lose...