If you had the chance to talk with a class of ROTC cadets, what topics would you cover about actively serving?

Honestly, I would need a few days to cover what I would want to discuss. Topics: Army Values, mentorship, expectations, field training, commissioning, responsibilities. Too many honestly, I may need a week to go over what I would want to tell them.

I would stick with very basic concepts. Stick to what you know so you are conversant, after all you are selling them on you. If they buy you they buy the discussion. If you are given 30 minutes, talk for 5-10. Let them ask you questions. I found this far more useful as they got to steer the discussion and you get the opportunity to dispel some down right untrue stuff that their non-serving parents, the media, and some misguided faculty members may have told them. Even the most well meaning ROTC instructors have dated information. They may have been out of the mix for 10+ years themselves, or are commenting about IET type stuff that they have 30 years in the rear view mirrror

"Forget everything you know......or think you know. And what your instructors are teaching you......will not likely apply when you get to your unit."

This would be the opening slide on my 400 slide PPT that would have to cover 4 days.