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Royal Military College of Canada — news, coverage & facts — IJR

Early history

Long before the Royal Military College was established in 1876, there were proposals for military colleges in Canada. As early as 1815, the Assembly of Lower Canada decided to establish a military college, but agreement upon its organization was blocked by religious and linguistic conflicts. Subsequent attempts also proved to be abortive, although some military schools were established.

Following the withdrawal of British forces from Canada in 1870–71, the federal government recognized the need for an officer training college in Canada. In 1874, during the administration of Alexander Mackenzie, "the real founder of the college", An Act to Establish a Military College, was passed by the Parliament of Canada. The legislation provided for the establishment of a college "providing a complete education in all branches of military tactics, fortification, engineering, and general scientific knowledge in subjects connected with and necessary to thorough knowledge of the military profession" in one of the Garrison Towns of Canada".

The new college, named Military College of Canada, opened on June 1, 1876, with 18 cadets under Lt.-Col. Edward Osborne Hewett, R.E. The names of these "Old Eighteen" are memorized by all cadets today. Entrance was by examination, and the high standards for admissions initially depressed the number of applicants. In 1878, Queen Victoria granted the college permission to use the prefix "Royal"; the college became the Royal Military College of Canada. It was the first military college to be established in a colonial dependency.

The college offered, like West Point but unlike the British service academies, a four-year course, heavily geared towards science and engineering. Uniquely among its peers, there was no expectation that its graduates would automatically become career army officers. As Canada had very limited permanent armed forces at the time, most of the cadets had to seek careers in the private sector, and many families sent their sons to the college to prepare them for civilian careers. Some received commissions in the Permanent Force or in the British Army, which agreed to offer the college's graduates four commissions every year. Many graduates who did not accept permanent military commissions continued to serve in the part-time Militia.

As a House of Commons report from 1881 put it:The Government of the Dominion have also established, at Kingston, an institution where young men may receive a training to fit them for the military profession—an institution something on the model of West Point—the practical benefits of which, however, are not as yet appreciable in a country like this, which has no regular army, and cannot afford employment suitable for the peculiar studies necessarily followed in the Academy."Another issue was the lack of French-speaking cadets: in the college's first 23 years of existence, there were 20 French-Canadian cadets out of 500. In the next 14 years, there were 19 out of 500. The entrance examinations were in English, which impeded recruitment.

The college experienced a period of decline in the early 1890s, until Gerald Kitson's successful term as superintendent, during which he purged ineffective staff members and reduced the length of the course to three years. His successors maintained the dual civil-military model, but put greater emphasis on the military aspect of the college's education. After 1910, all cadets were required to attend one militia camp to graduate, and to take up either a permanent or militia commission.

1945 to the present day

There were doubts as to whether the RMC would reopen after the war, and alumni mobilized to save it. In 1946, the Chesley committee, headed by Brigadier Leonard McEwan Chelsey (RMC 1917), made recommendations about the provision of officers for the active force, about the educational requirements of candidates, and about the way they should be trained. It recommended the elimination of the RMC as a cadet-training college, in favour of university-based training, followed by a period of military training at RMC. A second committee, chaired by Brigadier Sherwood Lett, recommended re-opening the RMC as a cadet college, alongside a university intake route.

Ultimately, the college was re-opened as a tri-service institution in 1948, with the "New One Hundred" cadets reporting on 20 September 1948. In 1959, it became the first military college in the British Commonwealth to achieve degree-granting status." Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh visited RMC on 12 October 1951.

In 1959, the province of Ontario granted a university charter to RMC by passing "The Royal Military College of Canada Degrees Act, 1959" enabling RMC to offer degrees in arts, science, and engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Royal Military College of Canada Degrees Act, 1959 was passed by the Ontario legislature and given Royal Assent on 26 March 1959. That year, the Canadian historian, Desmond Morton O.C., was the first graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada to receive a degree from the military college. Previously, cadets transferred for their final year to a civilian university, where they earned a degree.

His Excellency the Governor General presented the RMC colours in June 1961 and took the salute on the marchpast. On 26 May 1967, over 500 cadets trooped the colours on Parliament Hill in honour of the centennial of the Confederation of Canada, with the troops being reviewed by the Governor General.

In 1969, RMC became bilingual. In 1979, military colleges opened their doors to women with the admission of UTPNCM female officer cadets and post graduate students.

In 1976, RMC celebrated the centennial of its opening. The Cadet Wing paraded on Parliament Hill on 1 July in honour of that milestone.

In September 1980, the first 32 female cadets were accepted into first year at RMC. Among them was Kate Armstrong, who detailed her experience in the novel The Stone Frigate.

Training plans

There are several full-time admission options for an education at RMCC.

The Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) is a conditional scholarship offered to selected applicants. In addition to a university education, officer cadets receive military training, occupation training and second language training and a career after graduation. The full-time salary includes full dental care, as well as vacation with full pay. Upon successful completion of ROTP, officer cadets are awarded a university degree and granted commissions as officers in the Canadian Forces. Normally, graduates serve at least five years with the Canadian Forces. The application deadline to ROTP is in January for Basic Officer Training in July and admission the following September.

Typically, successful applicants enter the Canadian Military College (CMC) System as an officer cadet, where they receive an education that balances academics, leadership, bilingualism and athletics. If the choice of program is not offered, such as Nursing, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy, or the candidate wishes to attend another university, successful applicants are eligible to apply to any Canadian university where books, lab fees and student fees are covered, and students receive a monthly salary under the Civilian University ROTP.

The Reserve Entry Training Plan, discontinued in 2017, was an education that was the same as the ROTP but was paid for by the student (not a scholarship). The students also did not draw a salary; however, they were not obligated to five years of service after completion. Reserve Entry cadets were, however, paid considerably more than the regular ROTP officer cadet salary during their summer training months. They were also entitled to this pay if they attend "duty/varsity" away trips (For example, an away game of women's soccer).

UTPNCM: University Training Plan – Non Commissioned Members for non-commissioned members of the Canadian Forces to earn a degree and then serve as officers.

IBDP: Initial Baccalaureate Degree Program, a baccalaureate program.

DCS: Division of Continuing Studies, also available part-time

Since an application to ROTP is also an application to the Canadian Military College System, all candidates are assessed against an aptitude test, a medical examination, and an interview.

Military potential is an assessment of aptitudes, personality traits, and the choice of occupation. Academic performance is rated based on a student's transcript. Unlike many universities, since a complete transcript is submitted to the selection board, grade 9-11 marks are heavily weighted in a student's application with consideration given to grade 12 (or the final year's) marks. Officer cadets are obliged to maintain satisfactory academic and military performance throughout the programme.

RMC started a graduate studies program in 1965. The Division of Continuing Studies was established in 1997.

The mandate of the RMC Division of Continuing Studies is to make university education available to all members of the Canadian Forces, spouses and DND civilian employees. Canadian Forces and other professional training is recognized for credit towards undergraduate or advanced degrees.

Unique degree programs, specially tailored for CF members, include:

Bachelor of Military Arts & Sciences,

Master of Business Administration,

Master of Defence Management and Policy, and

Master of Arts and PhD in War Studies.

Tuition fees (2022–23) at the undergraduate level vary from $3,020 – $4,140 per term for Canadian undergraduate students and $2,670 – $2,980 per term for Canadian Graduate students. The tuition fees for international students vary from $7,410 – $7,690 per term for graduate students. The lower tuition amounts are for the arts and sciences programs, while the higher amounts are for the engineering programs.

Because of commitments of military service following graduation, education is free for most on-campus undergraduates; these Officer Cadets also receive an additional monthly salary. Funding has been put in place to support civilian students, who are eligible for admission to the master's and doctoral programs to work alongside graduate students who are members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Student life

The RMC Cadet Mess in Yeo Hall has facilities for social and recreational activities. Staff and faculty have access to the Senior Staff Mess.

The Baronial Hall or Currie Hall, which was designed in 1922 by Percy Erskine Nobbs to honour the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I play a prominent role in the life of the university. During special events, invited speakers and dignitaries may address the university population or the general public from the Great Hall. Many conferences held in Kingston, Ontario may book the halls for lectures or presentations.

The CANEX is a small retail store in Yeo Hall for personal articles, souvenirs, snacks and dry cleaning.

Bill & Alphie's, the on-campus cadet mess in Yeo Hall, is named after Bruce Bairnsfather's Great War cartoon characters. Old Bill & little Alphie, stone carvings based on two World War I cartoon characters by Bruce Bairnsfather, appear at the entrance to RMC's Yeo Hall.

The campus is on the shore of Lake Ontario and has easy access to two lake-front parks, favourite locations for students to relax. The campus is also located approximately 10 minutes' walk from the city's downtown.

Cadets are obligated to perform community service. Every year there is a mandatory class project. The first year class project has cadets conduct an event for the "underprivileged" youth of the city. The second year class project has cadets conduct a food drive for the city's food bank. The third year class project has cadets perform upkeep on the city's many parks. The fourth year class project has the class project leader raise money for a charity through the conduct of a fundraiser which usually takes the form of a baseball tournament.

The student clubs and organizations associated with the RMC include: Arts, Astronomy, Broomball, Cheerleading, Chess, Climbing, Cycling, Debating, drama, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Expedition, Fish & Game, Flying, golf, Judo, Juggling, Taekwondo, Outdoors, Paintball, Photo, rowing, Social Dance, Stage Band, Triathlon/Running, Video Editing, War Games, Water Polo, Windsurfing, Women's Rugby and Yachting. In recent years, an Automotive Club has been added.

First Year Orientation Period

First Year Orientation Period, (FYOP) is the most demanding challenge many cadets will face during their time at the college. FYOP takes place during the first month of the academic year following the completion of the first mod of BMOQ. Prior to the 2015–16 academic year, cadets would attend 2 week program called recruit camp in which cadets would undergo some basic military training before entering the college. With newly hired cadets completing half of their BMOQ before attending RMC, recruit camp is no longer necessary. FYOP is like Frosh week at civilian universities, except it lasts four weeks and cadets are placed under extreme stress for nearly the entire duration. FYOP begins with the Arch parade where the entire First Year class is marched onto College grounds by their FYOP staff consisting of Third and Fourth Years.

During the course of FYOP, First Year cadets are required to keep an exceptionally high standard of dress and deportment. They are required to march at all times. Physical Training is conducted, with long runs up neighbouring Fort Henry, Ontario hill a frequent occurrence. Inspections of room standards and dress are conducted daily. For the duration of FYOP, First Years are not permitted to leave RMC or receive visitors. Mail and phone calls are allowed but are limited.

The culmination of the FYOP is the obstacle course. The obstacle course lasts over 2 hours and consists of twelve obstacles built by each squadron located around the college grounds. Obstacles such as a 12-foot wall and rope bridge are designed to test teamwork and physical fitness of First Years. The First Year flights are judged on the time it takes to complete each obstacle. The completion of the obstacle course signals the end of FYOP. Afterwards, First Years are given a parade where they are officially welcomed into RMC and join the Cadet Wing. Cadets are then allowed to see their friends and relatives, and are allowed the freedom to leave college grounds. In previous years, cadets were required to wear their College uniform when leaving the college grounds, but as of 2017 this rule has been modified; cadets can now wear civilian business casual clothes. When attending formal events, the college uniform worn is the number 4s. This form of dress consists of dark blue pants with a red stripe down the side and a dark blue tunic. Badges can be put on both arms once earned. The year is also represented on the lower arms by red ribbon; however, second year is the first to have any red ribbon.

Second year cadets, in RMC's academic mentorship program, are paired with first year cadets as "academic parents" to mentor, guide, and influence them during their study at the college. This program, however, relies entirely on the second year cadet's following through on their due diligence to mentor their "academic children", as there is almost no staff (commissioned officer / non-commissioned member) oversight over the ongoings of either the FYOP or academic mentorship program, outside of general rule-making.

Many of the aspects of the FYOP, including the obstacle course and mentorship program, were developed by the post-war Chesley committee, led by Brigadier Leonard McEwan Chelsey, O.B.E., E.D. The committee made recommendations about the education and training of officer candidates for the postwar active force. In addition, the committee made recommendations about the provision of French-speaking officers and arrangements for promotion from the ranks.

Campus and facilities

RMC is located on Point Frederick (Kingston, Ontario), a small peninsula at the point where the St. Lawrence River leaves Lake Ontario and where the Rideau Canal system starts. The location has been an active military base since 1789 and the Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard, located on the site, was an important dockyard during the War of 1812.

Point Frederick includes two sites with National Historic Site of Canada designations: the Royal Navy Dockyard and the Point Frederick Buildings

The Stone Frigate, a large stone building completed in 1820 by Sir Robert Barrie, was designed to hold gear and rigging from British warships dismantled in compliance with the Rush–Bagot Treaty. It served as a barracks briefly in 1837–38, and was refitted as a dormitory and classrooms to house RMC by 1876.

During the Great Depression in Canada of the 1930s, an unemployment relief camp on Barriefield lower common was set up under the command of the RMC Commandant. Public works projects relied on the labour of the 'Royal Twenty Centres' supplied by the under the Unemployment Relief Commission. The public works projects included rebuilding the dry stone wall and moat of Fort Frederick; the physics building extension, the connection from the Fort Frederick dormitory to the new Yeo mess building, the new wing of the hospital, a new garage, road work, levelling the grounds at RMC for new football fields and a new running track. The cornerstone of Yeo Hall was laid in 1934 by the Earl of Bessborough, HE The Gov Gen. Yeo Hall was opened in 1936.

The Officers' Mess was moved in 1960 to the Senior Staff Mess at which point 'Bill & Alfie's' became a recreational space for Senior Cadets. There were renovations to Fort LaSalle dormitory and Yeo Hall between 1993–1995 to accommodate the closure of the other two colleges. In 1997, there were additions to the Dining Room, and an extension for the kitchen and servery above which is the Cadet Mess at Yeo Hall.

Both Royal Military College of Canada chapels serving Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim communities are located in Yeo Hall.

In fiction and popular culture

The Royal Military College's central place in Canadian military circles has made it the setting for novels, plays, films and other cultural works:

Oscar Ferdinand Telgmann and George Frederick Cameron created "Leo the Royal Cadet", an 1889 opera in which Leo leaves his sweetheart Nellie to serve in the Anglo-Zulu War. Songs about cadet life include 'The Bulldogs', and 'The Royal Cadet'

Can You Tell Me The Reason Why? (1894) a song about life at the Royal Military College of Canada, was written by A.H.N. Kennedy (1888) & B.H.O. Armstrong (1889)

The R.M.C. march & two step for piano dedicated to the Cadets of the Royal Military College, Kingston by Jessie Campbell Taylor published by the National Litho. Co., c. 1900 in Toronto.

"Precision" (1933) film by The Associated Screen News Ltd. is "A sample look at discipline at the Royal Military College. The emphasis is on precision gymnastics displays, ceremonial battalion marches in full uniform, and the changing of the sentry demonstrated by gentlemen cadets of the College. Seen is the exterior of the RMC buildings (the Stone Frigate)."

In Jetstream, a 2007 television series airing on Discovery Canada about pilots training to fly the CF-18 Hornet in the Canadian Forces, seven of the eight pilots are graduates of the RMC.

Timothy Findley's fictional character Robert Ross in his World War I novel ‘the Wars’ (Penguin Canada 2005) studied military law and trajectory mathematics at the Royal Military College of Canada. His novel won the Governor General's Award for fiction and was adapted into a play. In 1985, Timothy Findley was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.

1982 John-James Ford's protagonist in his coming-of-age novel Bonk on the Head studied at the Royal Military College of Canada. The novel won the 2006 Ottawa Book Award in the English fiction category.

"Till we meet again", is a musical set in Montreal, Quebec during World War II. Each act features an interview with an ex Royal Military College of Canada cadet who is a Canadian army officer: after Dunkirk, after Dieppe and after Juno Beach.

Sara Jeanette Duncan's "Cousin Cinderella: A Canadian Girl in London" by Macmillan in New York and Methuen in London (1908) features Graham, a Royal Military College of Canada graduate, and his sister Mary Trent. Graham and Mary's father, Senator Trent has earned a fortune in the family lumber business. After serving in South Africa and entering the family lumber business Graham Trent travels with his sister Mary from Minnebiac, a fictional small town in Ontario to England. There, Graham Trent becomes engaged to Barbara Pavisay, a member of a proud old English family whose line extends back to the Tudors. When Barbara Pavisay breaks off the engagement to Graham, his sister Mary becomes engaged to Barbara's brother Lord Pavisay. It is assumed that Graham Trent will return to Canada, continue in the family business and be elected to Parliament. Sara Jeanette Duncan's "A Voyage of Consolation" is a sequel to "Cousin Cinderella: A Canadian Girl in London."

Dr. David Clark's Canadian Army Trilogy–The Ridge (1994), Lamone (2001), and Lucifer's Gate (2002)–outlines the stories of two generations of the Warwick family and the Canadian Army in World War I. In Lucifer's Gate, Captain James Niles, a Royal Military College graduate, is posted temporarily to a recruit training battalion. He is a professional officer, all spit and polish, everything by the King's Regulations. After ordering a crowd to disperse, Niles accepts thanks from German proprietors of a tailor shop, Hans and Analise Holzhauer, and falls for their daughter, Rosamund. The lovely Rosamund is unfortunately an unsuitable match since they are worlds apart in social position. Niles, who is practically engaged to the Colonel's daughter, Roselyn, comes to realize, while serving under General Arthur Currie in France, that Roselyn never has a serious thought, caring only about tennis and garden parties.

Royal Military College of Canada

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Royal Military College of Canada

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Royal Military College of Canada across IJR

Article

Article

Purpose

History

Early history

World wars

1945 to the present day

Organization

Centres and institutes

Law

Research and partnerships

Admissions

Training plans

Cadet life

Uniforms

Student life

Squadrons of the Cadet Wing

Royal Military College of Canada Bands

Athletics

Military training

First Year Orientation Period

Campus and facilities

Buildings

Libraries

Dormitories

Honorary degrees

Alumni

Artist-in-Residence

Media

Symbols, memorials and traditions

Heraldry

Motto

Music

In fiction and popular culture

Royal Military College of Canada across IJR