Stryker Brigade News

“Who is better qualified to speak about the Army than a Soldier?” said Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks, deputy chief of Army public affairs. “This is a great way for Americans and others to meet the Army in a personal way.”

Spc. Roberto Alcauter Jr., a communications specialist with the 62nd Engineer Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas, was a rookie public speaker when he stood behind a podium this summer at an Army birthday celebration in Chicago. Alcauter, who was home on leave for the event, served in Iraq from January through July 2003.

“I was definitely nervous,” Alcauter said. “But that’s going to happen regardless of how much you practice.”

Alcauter said he talked very briefly about the seven months he spent in Kuwait and Iraq last year, but focused mainly on his gratitude for the country’s support of the military. Letters and care packages sent from people and groups all over the country helped boost morale, he said.

“It made us feel like everyone in the United States pulled together to show us their support,” Alcauter said. “I thanked them for it, and for the support they’re giving to those who are still over there.”

1st Lt. Peter Fluker believes speaking events like the one he recently participated in give Soldiers opportunities to help the public understand what military service is about today.

Fluker, who commands a National Guard infantry unit in Queens, N.Y., spent about two hours recently with members of the New York Heating and Oil Association. He talked about his yearlong deployment to Iraq, which ended in February, for about 20 minutes and then answered questions for another 30 minutes. After the formal portion of the meeting ended, he talked with three members for about an hour.

He shared what it was like to go out on patrols and to interact with the Iraqi people. He also talked about service in the National Guard.

Fluker sees a lot of value in Soldiers talking about their service.

“It helps eliminate misconceptions that are out there, especially with employers,” said Fluker. “This is a chance to educate the public about what Soldiers do.”

Operation Tribute to Freedom is looking for articulate Soldiers who meet Army appearance standards and are comfortable speaking in front of a variety of audiences, such as local chambers of commerce, schools, civic groups, veteran service organizations, or other special community events, Kuster said. When requests for speakers come in, OTF officials will search the database to find available Soldiers within 90 minutes of the event, and coordinate with the Soldier and local public affairs office, Kuster said.

The database will also be available to Army public affairs offices throughout the country for their community relations missions, he added. The OTF Speakers Service will work with PAOs to help prepare a Soldier for success with a resource kit of prepared speeches, outlines for speeches, talking points for current issues, and tips on public speaking and interacting with the media.

“This speakers program is a great way for Soldiers to reach out to our local communities,” said Col. Rich Breen who directs Outreach Programs for Army Public Affairs at the Pentagon.

“There are two goals of Operation Tribute to Freedom,” he said. “The first is to provide opportunities for Soldiers to participate in public venues so the American people can show their support of our Soldiers. And second, to provide an opportunity for Soldiers to thank the American people for supporting our Soldiers involved with the Global W-ar on Terror.”

Alcauter and Fluker both consider their speaking engagements positive experiences and would encourage other Soldiers to participate. Talking about what you do as a Soldier is a great morale booster, Fluker said. Alcauter sees it as an opportunity to give something back to the American people for their support.

“It’s a chance to go out and meet people you ordinarily wouldn’t meet. You might receive compliments and thanks, but it’s a chance to thank them back,’’ Alcauter said. “I mean, they’re the reason we’re here, doing what we do.”