Promotion speech ideas?

I would say read the following message. It was written by an AF MSgt, however, the words ring true for all SNCOs. Just change a couple of the rank names to suit your situation (i.e. "Staff and Techs" to "Masters and Seniors") and it's basically the same thing. Just because you make Chief doesn't mean that you get to slack off (IMAO) like some have in my past experiences. Again, the following are not my words (some are pretty foul) but I think it drives the point home. Maybe you can make a change or inspire someone to stop fostering the typical AF dog and pony show. IDK, maybe you can make one person listen for a change....

The original article can be found here: http://www.jqpublicblog.com/msgts-epic-post-should-be-the-new-snco-charge/

"I’m a Master Sergeant.

My job is not to be part of the fucking Top 3, or preen and lick my coat so that Colonels and CMSgts like me, or to carefully consider how to earn a “5”.

My job is to take care of my airman, and motivate + inspire my Staff and Tech Sergeants to do the same.

They aren’t as wise as me yet, because they haven’t seen as much, but if I do my job I will expose them to situations where they will begin to acquire that wisdom.

My job is to protect my people and let them truly understand what ‘taking owningship in an organization means’ while at the same time holding them accountable to the high standards I set, exemplify, and enforce.

I shouldn’t have a perfect career history or life, because that gives me no clue how to talk to a junior enlisted who is having troubles. If I’ve never gotten in trouble, what the hell am I supposed to say to Airman Smith who is getting an Article 15 or a Letter of Reprimand?

“Sorry man. You should have been more like me.”

No. Fuck that.

“Sorry man. I’ve been there. I did something stupid too. But I didn’t let it stop me. I picked myself up and dusted myself off.”

That is the real danger of the one-mistake Air Force. We are robbing our organization of the most powerful force in human history: the ability to learn from our mistakes. Instead we staff it with a bunch of crumb lapping lap-dogs whose only concern is some stupid stratification or some worthless certification they are supposed to have because “someone told me I’m supposed to have it”.

What about people? If you spend so much time buried up your own ass, you forget why you are here in the first place. Your purpose is not as an ego-masturbatory exercise, but as a leader of men and women and a manager of teams who’s goal is to foster an organization that doesn’t trudge along to a broken and sick drum, but hums along with a precision and fury that somehow exceeds the sum of its parts.

These days we don’t even know how to create such an organization. We sometimes marvel at one when we see it, but more often than not it came about through dumb luck because we have forgotten how to be leaders. Inevitably, the next egotistical maniac will take the helm of such an organization and run. it. into. the. ground.

Why do I know this?

Because I have seen it. I have lived it. I have made my mistakes and learned from them, even when they weren’t my mistakes. I have reflected on years of a career spent trying to do the right thing, even when it cost me personally and professionally.

You know why? Because I’m not just a fucking E-7.

I’m a Senior NCO.

And my job is bigger than just me now. People don’t work for me any longer. That’s not how this works.

I work for them. They aren’t there to stroke my ego or provide me with career and EPR fodder. They aren’t there as punching bags to absorb my own shame, guilt, and frustrations. They aren’t there to do the one thousand menial tasks I invent because I am an uncreative prick.

I am there for them, to shepard them towards better careers, to encourage them to pursue personal improvement, to inspire them to do outstanding jobs (even at great personal cost), and to slowly shape them into the SNCOs that I know they will one day be.

Because that’s a family.
That’s an organization.
That’s taking care of each other.

And that’s what the US Air Force was supposed to be, and is about. And if you’re not onboard, and you care more about your own EPR than the SrA who’s wife is leaving him, get the fuck out. If you care more about the next Top 3 Meeting than your SSgt who’s work productivity suddenly plummeted for no discernible reason, get the fuck out. If you care more about impressing the wing commander than what your Staff Sergeants and airmen are saying amongst themselves, get the fuck out.

We don’t need you.

We need SNCOs."

- an AF MSgt

My last promotion speech was brief. "Thank You".

- Talk about how thankful you are.
- Talk about how honored you are .

- Talk about... 90 seconds.

And Congratulations! NEVER forget your roots and always remember you were once that naive untested troop.

CMSgt (Join to see), Relax and relish the moment; you've spent an entire career getting here, so take it all in and enjoy the company of the people who have traveled to share this moment with you and the leaders and Airmen who have the honor of participating in this occasion with you.

Enjoy the food!

Smile and get plenty of pictures with everyone!

As for your remarks? Be yourself. Beyond that, be bold, be brief, and be done!

Congratulations to you!

Be short (not my strength), to the point and have a theme.

Personal messages are fine, but I kept them to a minimum (immediate family) because I would focus on my thanks to them separately.

What do you remember about any promotion ceremony when you were in the audience? If it was a personal "thank you" list, or a recollection of the recipient's career, you probably didn't remember much.

Read Roosevelt's Citizenship in a Republic or some other historical piece and give the group something that ties your career to the profession -- to make them better airmen, leaders, people.

When you achieve the level of success you have achieved, you will have many other opportunities to speak. Speak about yourself if you need to, but think about taking those opportunities to make a difference in a young airmen's life, one who is attending possibly by chance. I believe we as leaders make much more of an impact that way.

My sincerest congratulations.

Congratulations Chief! I know you have worked hard to get where you are in your career so congrats again.

Congratulations CMSgt (Join to see)!
May I suggest you work in "The first round is on me" at some point?

CMSgt (Join to see) Congratulations on the promotion CMSgt. Truly deserving for an awesome Senior NCO as yourself!!!

Congratulations on making Chief. I always felt it was a great honor with great responsibility. From reading your prior responses and looking at your record, I think you will give a great speech and make a fine Chief. While your commanders will expect much of you, the enlisted airmen will also expect a lot. You have reached the pinnacle of the enlisted ranks, the 1 %. They will look to you for leadership, inspiration and to be their voice with officers. While officers promoted you, the enlisted are the ones who worked to get you there. Officers are rightly concerned with the MISSION, you must be the voice of the AIRMEN under you who accomplish it. Let them know that they can someday fill your boots. Push education. Be their beacon! A wise, old Chief once told me, "there are E-9's and there are Chiefs, be a CHIEF". Good luck, Chief Stickley.

Congratulations CMSgt (Join to see) !

I want to confirm your thoughts on thanks, hit some Chiefly nuggets and bow out - that's perfect. I would suggest to refrain from mentioning names - that always got me in trouble because that makes the people not mentioned by name feel left out - and I don't think it should, but it does - if you are a Christian, I always take an opportunity to publicly praise God for these things as I feel strongly that He appoints leaders and He deserves the glory for everything - doesn't have to be a dissertation, but something like "I want to thank God and all the many Airmen/(I like to use warfighters) Family, Friends" - etc - and you can elaborate with specific groups, etc,... I personally took the opportunity to express that I believe that leaders ARE appointed by God and I felt accountable to Him - which is a good thing for you because you know I'm going to try very hard not to let Him down!

Suggest to make a "humble" statement if that's how you truly feel (I know I did) - "I want you all to know that you deserve the very best from me and I know I'm not perfect, but you have my word I'll be the best CMSGT I can be!" something like that..