From private to general officer, the OTF Speakers Service helps event coordinators find the right Soldiers for their events. Through the Speakers Service, national and local community groups have a chance to recognize and honor their hometown heroes while receiving first-hand accounts of Soldiers' experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. In return, Soldiers have the opportunity to share their stories with interested, appreciative audiences. OTF provides assistance in identifying speakers, coordinating logistics, and, as requested, providing media relations in support of OTF speakers.
Soldiers interested in volunteering for the Speakers Service can register to become part of the national speaker database. Event coordinators submit requests for speakers 30-90 days in advance of the event. We then contact the PAOs of Soldier volunteers within that area and request the Soldiers' support for the speaking request. In most cases, OTF tries to match speakers with events within a 45-mile radius of their duty stations. OTF will also provide banners and brochures to help attendees promote the event, as well as provide media relations, as requested, in support of participating Soldiers.