Cadet Speech Guidelines

(updated 3/7/21)

To Cadets Presenting Speeches,

(This information is also available in the "Resources" tab on the Lake Hood website)

Congratulations for taking the next steps for your next promotion.

To best help you meet your speech requirements, and to best prepare you for future such occasions in life, please do the following, all of which fall under the category of "Consider your Audience" and "Provide What the Decision-Maker Needs."

(1) Coordinate ahead of time with a testing officer* to score your written assignment and speech, to provide you feedback, and to communicate your score to Squadron Commander.

(2) Email pdf's (not google docs) of your written assignment/speech, the scoring sheet for the written assignment, and the scoring sheet for the speech to the testing officer and Squadron Commander politely reminding them about your upcoming speech. Also email a link or screenshot showing the requirements for your current promotion, and ask the testing officer to have some questions ready for you at the end.

(3) Ensure your hair, uniform, etc meet regulations. Expect an inspection.

(4) If presenting in a virtual setting, your camera must be on and your mic must work.  If there are transmission difficulties, you may need to reschedule your speech.

(5) First address the cadets present and tell them clearly why you are giving this speech and the choices they have for speeches when they are at your level.

(6) Exemplifying customs and courtesies (say sir & ma'am!!), ensure the person scoring your speech is present and realizes you are about to start your speech.  Remind them to start a timer.

(7) Begin your speech.  

(8) Followup with the testing officer for feedback and your score.  If you need to redo your speech or written assignment, please take it as the learning opportunity it is. 

*As of 3/7/21, Current testing officers are 2d Lt Kerry Adler, 1st Lt Trey Griffing, 2d Lt Karen Halliburton, FO Samuel Meaders, Major Ben Padgett & Capt Karen Padgett.  

Good luck! You'll do great! 

Remember that these speeches, in addition to fulfilling promotion requirements for you, help your fellow cadets (1) see how to do the speeches for their own promotions and (2) learn from the material you are presenting them.  Your speeches also help your leaders (aka the Decision Makers) see what you are capable of and, to the extent you can personalize your speeches, know you better.

All required speeches benefit greatly from your personal experiences.  It's OK to say "I" when it serves a useful purpose and is not bragging.  The speeches are *not* academic research exercises.  They *are* opportunities for you to reflect on experiences you have had in CAP and outside CAP, learn from your experiences, and pass that wisdom along.

Very respectfully,

Capt Karen Padgett, CAP

Commander, Lake Hood Cadet Squadron

Anchorage, Alaska

(C) 907.350.8533

Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary