CHAPTER 6 SPEECHES Americans  must  be  aware  of  the  Navy’s  role  in national defense, forward presence, aiding allies and protecting  national  interests.  Logistically,  however,  it  is not possible for most Americans to observe the Navy in action at sea firsthand. The  Navy  can  clearly  and  convincingly communicate to the American people its important role by getting Navy people to tell the Navy’s story at the grass roots level. Speeches are an easy, inexpensive way to do this. From the Navy’s point of view, a speech is made only  for  the  purpose  of  transiting  a  Navy  message effectively  to  the  largest  number  of  influential  people  in the  community.  The  impact  of  a  good  speech  has far-reaching  significance,  primarily  because  the audience  will  not  only  discuss  the  speech  among themselves,  but  pass  the  message  to  colleagues,  friends, family  members  and  other  contacts–virtually  ensuring continuous  circulation. Every  time  a  Navy  representative  talks  to  an American Legion post or a chapter of the Jaycees, he carries a message–the Navy’s story. For 10, 15 or 20 minutes, he has the audience’s undivided attention. When a speaker delivers a good speech, he makes a worthwhile  impression  upon  the  audience  which  causes it to act upon the message received. Even with relatively small groups, personal presentation of the Navy’s case is  still  the  most  effective  means  of  gaining  community cooperation. As a senior journalist, your role is to communicate the Navy’s story in one or all of four capacities: (1) as a ghost  writer,  (2)  as  the  coordinator  of  a  speaking engagement, (3) as the speaker on certain occasions and (4) as the organizer of a command speakers bureau. SPEECH PREPARATION Learning Objective: Recognize  the  importance  of effective speech planning and the steps in preparing a speech. Speech preparation or planning is defined as the process of planning a talk before, during and after the actual  researching.  These  steps  save  speech  planners, writers and presenters much time and anxiety in the preparation  of  oral  and  visual  presentations. The  following  are  the  four  basic  steps  in  planning an effective speech: (1) accepting the right speaking engagement, (2) choosing and researching your topic, (3)   assessing   the   occasion   and   (4)   assessing   the location. ACCEPTING THE RIGHT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT The DoD encourages Navy military and civilian personnel to serve as speakers in both public and private forums. These forums are considered appropriate when the  following  conditions  exist: l l l l The views expressed are according to national policy. The  topics  discussed  are  within  the  cognizance of  the  DoD. Participation does not interfere with assigned duties of personnel. The speaking engagement would not take on the appearance  of  a  conflict  of  interest,  commercial endorsement or benefit, and so forth. There are unsuitable speaking forums to avoid, such as   addressing   a   partisan   political   group   or   any organization  that  could  be  considered  extremist.  DoD policy prohibits Navy speakers from appearing at an event where the attendance is barred to anyone because of race, creed, color or national origin or if the group sponsoring  the  event  is  discriminatory  in  a  similar fashion. Speaking at fund-raising events is also prohibited, except  for  certain  designated  causes,  such  as  the Combined Federal Campaign, USO and Navy Relief. For further guidance, consult PA Regs, Chapter 3. CHOOSING AND RESEARCHING YOUR TOPIC The speech topic you choose should reflect your command’s  direct  area  of  responsibility  and  be  of significance   to   the   audience.   Thorough   research 6-1