You get invited to speak at a high school or non-military audience about the military, what would you discuss?

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 12:57:29 -0400

I've spoken at schools and Boy Scouts in the past about the military and being deployed for Memorial Day and Veterans Day and other occasions. Its been a while since I last did it and the world has changed a lot since.

If you were given the opportunity to speak at a high school or other non-military civic group about your experiences, current affairs, and the like, What would you choose to speak about? What questions do you feel you'd need to be prepared to answer?

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Oct 12 at 2014 1:36 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 13:36:30 -0400

Sir, I would speak of the honor in serving our country, of the lifelong friends made, of the pride of service felt, of the accomplishment, and of the opportunities to learn, grow, and become a greater citizen.
I would also cover topics such as leadership, being a good subordinate, communication, safety, and risk to reward. Finally, and only anecdotally, I would discuss the plethora of benefits we gain through service from tuition assistance, to VA Benefits, medical, to a pension and the thrift savings plan. My closing statement would include, "whether a lifetime or one enlistment the honor of serving your country and your fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, or Coast Guardsmen will add to your pride of accomplishment for the rest of your lives."

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Oct 12 at 2014 2:30 PM

LTC Hillary Luton — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 14:30:28 -0400

I've talked to elementary students on a couple of occasions as well as HS students. The first time with the elementary, I spent about two minutes telling them who I was, and then let them ask questions. I figured that was better than me droning on and they got to learn what interested them.

The second time was a Veterans Day speech. The audience was elementary students as well as the teachers. I was the guest speaker. I compared the Army Values to every day life and how those values guide us. I honestly didn't know what my audience consisted of until I arrived, but I was able to adjust fire and ensure the students were included in the presentation. Its only the second time in my life I ever received a standing ovation, which totally blew me away.

The HS kids, I talked about what it was like being a woman in the military, the many great women who have served and how they inspired me.

First rule of speaking to a group like this - talk about what you know. For me, I know about being a Soldier, a women in the military, an officer and a PAO. I can pretty much talk those things to death. Have an idea what you want to say, but be prepared to adjust fire at the last minute.

As far as what you should be prepared to answer, just be honest. Don't be in a hurry to answer. Stop, think about the question before you answer. You never know what kind of question you will get when you are dealing with students. I was once ask if I ever shot anyone. I looked at the little boy that asked, and I said, "it is true that as a soldier we have to be prepared to shoot a bad guy to protect our fellow Soldiers; however, I have been fortunate and have never had to shoot anyone. I hope I never have to."

Another little boy asked me what the biggest gun I ever shot was. Instead of saying a howitzer and leaving it at that, I stopped and said, "well, the gun was this big" and I walked the approximate length of the gun. Then told him, "its a very big gun called a howitzer." His eyes got very big and he said, "woooooooooah." I had fun with those kids. :-)

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 12 at 2014 2:47 PM

SPC James Mcneil — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 14:47:17 -0400

I have spoken to schools about the military, and I choose to talk about the honor of serving your country by defending the constitution. I do use personal stories, but since I'm talking to kids, the stories are not specifically about combat.

In fact, one of my favorite audiences would be composed of junior high or high school kids.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Oct 12 at 2014 3:43 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 15:43:49 -0400

I've given presentations about the military for years on Great American Teach-In day at my kids schools. Depending on the age group I try to fit what I say to hold their attention.

The younger grades ask questions about silly stuff, what you eat, what kind of gear do you carry, where have you been stationed. The safety patrols want to know about the flag - folding it, what it means, why we respect it. The mid grades can be all over the map and it depends on teacher preference as to what I focus on. The high school classes seem more interested in all the different MOS's, what can they get into, how hard is basic, the differences between enlisted and officer.

I really enjoy doing this every year for the schools & I've found it always has the kids interested.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 8:01 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 08:01:29 -0400

I actually had the privilege to talk in one of my old High School teacher Classes He was my motivator through out high school to actually make something bigger and better of myself.. Motivation, Honor in Serving, Courage in Serving and Breaking Barrier that you have never came face to face in Either Physical or Mental, Leading my Example and Patriotism alot of these topics could be interchanged with day to day struggles and successes .... I wish we had someone when i was in high school give a speech and to motivate the next generation of Professionals to become a better version of yourself

Response by LTC Scott O'Neil made Oct 13 at 2014 8:57 AM

LTC Scott O'Neil — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 08:57:32 -0400

What would I talk about if I were invited to talk at a High School that is a hard question? Understanding your audience and making a connection is hard, but it is even harder to do so with High School Students as there are three types of students in that you will be addressing. First there are those who want to go to college and want an advanced education, then there are those who do not want to go to college or do not have the grades to go onto school and will enter the workforce and then there are those who do not know what to do in their future. So you have to tread lightly as not to turn off your audience.
First, start with an introduction of yourself and why you have been asked to talk to the assembly; look to make a connection with the audience, by finding out what they are interested in and what is important today to those students. Then I would tie this to three subjects Patriotism, leadership and values. I would use historic and recent examples that the audience could relate these topics to. Now this would take a little time to research, in your research talk to kids the age you are going to talk to and get their opinion as to what they would like to hear and who they think of when you say those three words.
Leave time to discuss these topics with the students, and the key to a successful visit is to listen to what the audience has to say, remember their teenagers and they want to be heard, but more important they want adults to listen to what they have to say and think.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Oct 13 at 2014 9:08 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:08:26 -0400

I would speak about the uncomfortable truth; toxic culture, a poor promotion system, poor physical fitness system, poor utilization of funds, out of date regulations and practices in the name of tradition, and the need to reform the items as fore mentioned.

I understand that you should not speak of a problem without a clear understanding of the subject and possible answer/fix for the problem. I do not have those answers as of now, but knowing I've been invited would give me the push to do the research.

Response by LTC Mark Gavula made Oct 13 at 2014 12:15 PM

LTC Mark Gavula — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:15:01 -0400

I've been there, and got the T-shirt. As others previously stated, it takes some serious contemplation to decide what to talk about. I started with a list of things, I would not talk about such as that it sucks really good sometimes, killing, and shooting, just to name a few.

I would focus on the military's role throughout history to include 9/11. The role of the soldier and the camaraderie, espirit and teamwork required to be an effective Soldier and team. Finally, the sacrifices Soldiers make for their country. I m not saying this is a right approach, but it worked for the audience I addressed. Afterwards, the kids and even parents came up to me to tell me their uncle, grandfather or dad served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam or OIF.

There was a time I was invited to talk about the military to 2d and 3d graders. All I talked about was the our Nation's colors. I had them draw a flag and as they were doing so I explained what the stars and each color meant. I was in my Blues, so I addressed some of my medals, and had them pass my stetson around and try it on. I taught them how to respond with hoooooah! IT was a lot of fun.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 12:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:25:33 -0400

I would probably just talk about my experiences, why I chose to serve, what serving means to me.....stuff like that. I've never spoken to a school before so I'm a little at a loss on topics haha

Response by LTC Mark Gavula made Oct 13 at 2014 1:58 PM

LTC Mark Gavula — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:58:51 -0400

This is in addition to my previous response. Always be prepared for the question, "have you ever shot at, wounded or killed anyone?

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 2:15 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:15:01 -0400

I have done this on numerous occasions for Veteran's Day at my son's elementary schools. I describe to them my role as a medic and give them some examples of what I did in the deployed setting. I brought with some medical supplies and things I aquired in Iraq, such as real Iraqi money and such. The kids really loved it.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 14 at 2014 2:16 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 02:16:16 -0400

Great thread MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca. I'd start with a video of me wearing all our Batman gear and cooking an egg on the front deck of a Bradley (at NTC....but what does little Johnny know) and I would explain what challenges and hardships the military endures (PG version). I would tell him to imagine someone taking "Scruffy" out of his back yard and taking him away for 15 months and for him to try to imagine the hurt that he and Scruffy would endure. I would tell him to turn off his tv and radio and video games and phone and.......... for 15 months. I would tell him to imagine every bully who was ever mean to him ganging up on him and then ask how scared that would be.....then tell him that ther people in the military are going through the same thing, and that we all help keep each other safe. If the kid wasn't crying by then..........then I've lost my touch...lol

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Oct 14 at 2014 8:02 AM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:02:44 -0400

Sea stories!!!

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Oct 14 at 2014 10:27 AM

Cpl Brett Wagner — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:27:06 -0400

If any high school made the mistake of asking me to speak...

I would speak about the kind of once in a lifetime experiences you have in the military. The deep incredible friendships you develop, the pride you get from doing what is right because it is the right thing to do. The senior enlisted and officers who are such great examples to look up to and imitate (maybe not all, but more than not).
I would speak of things you will never forget, the legacy, and I would also speak specifically about the Marine Corps and what it is like to become a Marine and how you never stop being a Marine.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 14 at 2014 1:38 PM

SPC David S. — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 13:38:54 -0400

As kids don't have their filters fully developed, one question I think a prepared response would be good to have is the old "Did you ever kill anyone?". For me I would lead in with the history and structure and then go into some of the "cool" aspects of the military like seeing the world or using the latest in technology and then just answer questions about it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 12:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:10:56 -0400

I would address the "BLUF", bottom line up front using myself and others as pure real world examples of what the unknown audience is currently perceiving and what they could end up perceiving by joining or not. Benefits vs the final price etc. Ultimately. As I mentioned in my previous post. Strangers are constantly approaching me saying either, " I wish I joined when I had the chance", or " I should of stayed in when I had the chance". Think retirement and pensions. Unfortunately that time comes quicker then one thinks. "pooofff", Ive already been in for over 20 yrs... what happened. ??

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 1:29 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:29:15 -0400

Here's the big thing to keep in mind, less than 1/2 of 1% of our nation is serving right now. So, generally when meeting with these type of organizations unless they are close to a military installation provide a tremendous opportunity to talk about things as simple as what is a typical day in the military, why did you join the military, what has been your best day, what was your worst, how does your family think about serving. Questions to answer, well, a lot of that will depend on what you choose to discuss as your main topic. I think if you are talking to youngsters, then you may need to be prepared to talk about whether you served in combat and if you had to shoot someone. A response is that the American people put a special trust and confidence in our military forces, and part of that trust involves use of weapons. As a part of my duties I have had/or had to be prepared to use that weapon to accomplish the mission I was given. I also recommend stopping by your Public Affairs Office to see if they have any standard talking points on various topics so you are armed with them as well.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 12 at 2015 7:21 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 19:21:45 -0400

What you like about serving in the military. I think the subject is kind of broad and interesting.