Essay Instructions: I need a graduation speech for a military graduation class that will be graduating in an Advance Leadership Course(ALC) as a Non-Commissioned Officer for SGT's and SSG's . I have already graduated this course several years ago but the speech is to congratulate them and give them words of encouragement to move forward in their career. It should be 3-5 minutes long. Below is a few sample speeches so that way you know how the speech should begin but I do not want the same words of encouragement.
Good morning distinguished guests, family members, and the Non Commissioned Officers of Advanced Leaders Course (25B, Q, N, L, S, P) Graduation Class. Congratulations on your achievement of successfully completing this milestone in your military career. As you travel back to your unit’s, there are few things I would like for you to keep in mind. A good leader is like a good athlete. You must first learn the basic fundamentals of the sport; practice what you have learned until you reach a degree of excellence, and finally, continue to strive for higher adeptness for as long you remain active in the sport.
These same principles should be applied as you lead your Soldiers. We are leaders; regardless of rank or organizational level, as leaders, it is our obligation to motivate and train Soldier’s; train them toward professional competency; instill them with the spirit to win; but don’t forget to set the standards that are worthy of being emulated and don’t be afraid to enforce the standards that are in place.
I convey to my seniors, peers, and subordinates my viewpoint on life; as I will also share with you. I am very passionate about what I do. I encourage you to take pride in yourself and whatever you do. Be accountable and take responsibilities for your actions. Don’t let rank define you, and always treat people with respect.
Sergeant Major of the Army, Richard A. Kidd, 1991-95, said it best, "A leader does not 'choose' the best or most opportune time to lead. A good leader takes the challenge whenever and wherever it presents itself and does the best he or she can."
Best of luck and Lead from the Front!
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Good Morning distinguished members, guests, Family in attendance and the graduating class of the Advanced Leadership (25B, Q, N, L, S, P) Course. Today marks another mile stone in your career in which you should be proud of, I would like to congratulate you on this achievement. This is an achievement that you have truly earned and in graduating this course you’ve proven that you are ready for the next step in you career. (Give yourself a round of applause)
Today I would like to stop and reflect on today’s Army our Army. Somewhere down the line we have gotten away from the Basic’s. What I mean when I say basic’s is Customs and Courtesies, Greetings of the day, Drill & Ceremony, proper wear and appearance of the military uniform, Military bearing and discipline and most importantly leading, teaching, and mentoring tomorrows leaders our young Soldiers; but before all that can be done we need to start policing ourselves up and holding each other to the standard. While many of NCO’s are tactically and technically proficient they lack “the basics” of how to march a formation, proper way to stand at Parade Rest when talking to Senior Non Commissioned Officer’s, the position of attention when talking to Officers or addressing Senior’s by their rank and rendering the proper respect. How can we expect our Soldiers to do or know these basic task if we ourselves are not doing them?
It’s time we start getting back into these manuals and teaching our Soldiers, conducting Warrior Time Training weekly and making sure that training is worth while and effective, learning PRT and conducting it with your Soldiers instead of complaining about it, counseling your soldiers on areas of sustainment’s and improvements. I challenge you to do and instill these basic skills in your Soldiers and mold these future leaders into the type of Soldier that the Army can be proud of. Remember these Soldiers will one day take our place and be charged with molding the next group of leaders; so the legacy that you pass on needs to be one that continues to uphold the highest traditions of our great Army. Make sure you set the right example it is not only expected but required. The saying is true your Soldiers are a direct reflection of you; So you should take the time to groom them into the true professionals our Army needs. If you do this and genuinely show you care about them and their welfare they will see and understand what true leadership is.
I will leave you with a quote As John C. Maxwell said “Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate and lead them.”
In closing I would like to once again congratulate you on becoming the newest graduates of the Advanced Leadership Course and wish you good luck in all your future endeavors. Set the standard, lead the way.
There are faxes for this order.
