Retirement from the forces is different. After all when someone retires from an office or factory they have not served the flag or defended the country. That is precisely what members of the armed forces do and that is why their retirement speeches have to have a different slant. Such speeches should refer to the service they have given. They should refer to bravery and mention camaraderie. A mention of shining brasses or duty will not go astray. It doesn’t matter whether the retiree is a soldier, a sailor or a member of the air force. It doesn’t matter either whether the retiree is a NCO or a four star general. The important thing is that they have done a specific job that no civilian does. Members of the forces are prepared to face danger and death. They are special people and so, when they retire whoever is giving the retirement speech should emphasise that fact. The speech should, in fact, salute the retiree.

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Be a team player. That’s good advice whether you are in the military, an office or a football team. Too much attention seems to be given to the individual stars and there is no doubt that some people are outstanding in their fields. If we are to succeed in any given arena though we have to learn to pull together with others. Even the most talented player in any field will have some faults and will need the support or influence of others. Certainly even those who play individual sports will have support from coaches or mentors So being a team player is something that managers, officers and coaches have to get across to those they are training. As the saying goes, there is no i in the word team. Some will reply that there is me in team but that is a selfish and childish response. As the advertisement says, together we can make things happen.

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Army officers don’t only give orders. There are also lots of occasions when they have to give speeches. Retirements and weddings are such occasions. They speak to their troop too when there is a change of command or when it is a question of deployment or re-enlistment. Whatever the occasion the speech has to express the core values of the army, values like loyalty, camaraderie and service. Some occasions are more formal than others and an after dinner speech can be light-hearted if those attending are celebrating, say a promotion if a close friend. Some occasions occur regularly too such as graduations and again the speech has to be motivational. Officers may be taught to shoot from the hip but good public speaking is another essential weapon in their armoury.

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Most of us are taught to say “Please” and “Thank you.” When it comes to dinners and functions though there are other things that should be said. Someone should welcome the guests for instance. Guest speakers need to be thanked. There might be a toast to the ladies and someone would have to reply to that toast. It’s all about etiquette as well as good manners and every function is different. The armed forces, for instance, may have a loyal toast. So if you are organising a function ensure you know what ought to be said and ensure someone says just the right thing.

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The change of command gives an officer the opportunity to express his thoughts. He can speak of the things he has observed about his troops over his term of command. He can speak of their loyalty, their camaraderie and how easy they made his job. He may refer to some funny incident during his command or to some brave act he has witnessed. If he has been serving abroad he may choose to speak of the difficulties that causes and how well his troops have overcome those difficulties. He should refer to the incoming officer and speak of his credentials. Overall though his speech should be an expression of thanks for what he has learnt during his time with that particular unit and of his regret to be leaving them.

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Retirement from the military is a different kind of retirement. After all whether you are a soldier, a sailor or in the Air Force your lifestyle is different. You don’t clock in from 9a.m. to 5p.m. You don’t tend to mix with ordinary citizens because being in the military is about camaraderie rather than mere friendship. It means putting flag before family. Sometimes it means fighting a war rather than going to your child’s birthday party. So retirement is a new challenge, causing new problems. If you are addressing a retiree you should stress the positive aspects of such a retirement because being in the military gives so many extra skills. You are more likely to be punctual for instance.The fact that the retiree has served in the military will certainly stand to him or her if he/she is seeking a new job. Employers respect those who serve their country and realise that they will probably serve their new business equally well. So boost their confidence. Tell them they have what it takes. Make sure the retiree knows just how well he or she has served. Mention military clubs where he/she can keep in touch with old comrades. Above all make sure he or she knows that if there was a place for him/her in the military then the civilian world will be richer for his or her presence.

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Welcome home. That’s what many families will be saying to their servicemen in the not too distant future. Their homecoming will be a cause for celebrations and parties Will anyone give speeches or toasts at such parties and if so, what should they say? Certainly there should be a mention of their bravery. Certainly too you should mention their dedication and loyalty to their country. Obviously you should mention how much they were missed. They may be mention of family incidents that happened while they were abroad such as the birth of a baby. You will speak of what their homecoming actually means to you and to the family. Perhaps you will say how much they were missed on certain occasions such as their being the family cook at a barbeque. Whatever you say your speech should verbalise that warm hug you gave at the airport when they touched down.

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Marching is part of a soldier’s life. What happens, though when that soldier marches out of the army? There will, of course, be a farewell function of some kind and, naturally, a speech will be given. What to say in that speech is sometimes a problem for the designated speaker. If it is an officer he or may not know the soldier well. If so it pays to do a little research. Speak to a colleague or friend and find out something about that soldier’s background and plans. Words like duty well done should feature in the speech. So too will talk of camaraderie in the ranks. If possible it is good to refer to some incident or indeed incidents during the service of the soldier in question. He or she may, for instance, have served in a danger zone. It will make the speech really personal if you speak of that soldier’s plans for the future. If you don’t actually know them at least speak positively about all the options that are available to someone who does not have to answer to reveille any more.

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It’s 9/11 now but the ceremonies will go on all weekend. If you want to speak you want your speech to be slightly different. You will, like everyone else, have to speak of the horrors of that dreadful day. You will speak of ongoing grief and bravery of the uniformed forces. You will mention the courage of those who suffer daily and the way people have managed to get on with their lives. Your speech, though, should also question values and a way of life that made other people from another culture do such a terrible thing. You will ask what could have been done to prevent the terror or what should be done to prevent it happening ever again. You will have to ask the hard question “Are we ourselves at fault?” It’s a question nobody seems to want to answer but it has to be asked and answered.

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Leaders do more than just lead. They also have to speak a lot. So motivational speeches are their stock in trade. They may be coaches speaking to their teams. It could be that they are spiritual leaders addressing a congregation. They might be officers in the army giving deployment speeches. In fact it is possible that they are C.E.O’s inspiring their sales staff or teachers speaking at a graduation. Whatever the occasion and whatever type of leader is in question their job is to motivate their particular audience to do something or be someone. So there speeches have to capture attention and challenge behaviour. They have to communicate their message clearly. They have to convince those listening that it IS possible, whatever it happens to be.

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