Royal Military College of Canada facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Royal Military College of Canada

Motto	Truth, Duty, Valour (Verité, Devoir, Vaillance)
Type	Military academy
Established	1876
Academic affiliations	ACUFC CMA COU CUSID CVU DRDC ISMS PPC UArctic Universities Canada
Chancellor	Bill Blair (ex officio as Defence Minister)
Principal	Dr. Jill Scott
Commandant	BGen Pascal Godbout
Administrative staff	200
Undergraduates	1,160 full-time; 990 part-time
Postgraduates	300 full-time
Location	Kingston, Ontario, Canada 44°13′44″N 76°28′07″W / 44.22889°N 76.46861°W / 44.22889; -76.46861
Campus	41-hectare peninsula east of downtown Kingston (Point Frederick); Waterfront CFB Kingston
Language	English, French
Call signs	VE3RMC; VE3RMC-9; VE3RMC-11
Colours
Nickname	RMC Paladins
Sporting affiliations	U Sports – OUA MAISA
Mascot	Paladin in scarlet uniform with shield (2009)

The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) is a special university in Kingston, Ontario. It trains young people to become officers in the Canadian Armed Forces. This includes the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Canadian Navy, and the Canadian Army.

RMC started in 1876. Since 1959, it has been able to give out university degrees. Students at RMC are called "officer cadets." They learn about four main things:

• Academics: Getting a university education.
• Officership: Learning how to be a good leader in the military.
• Athletics: Staying fit and playing sports.
• Bilingualism: Learning to speak both English and French.

What is the Royal Military College of Canada?

The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) helps officer cadets get ready for a career in the military. It also helps other Canadian Armed Forces members and civilians learn about defence. RMC offers university programs and special training. These programs meet the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces. They also help the Department of National Defence.

Why is RMC Important?

RMC has several key jobs:

• It provides university education in both English and French. These programs are designed for the Canadian Armed Forces.
• It helps officer cadets develop strong leadership skills.
• It teaches officer cadets to communicate well in both official languages.
• It helps students achieve a high level of physical fitness.
• It teaches students about the important values of military life.
• It conducts research to support RMC and the Defence Research Agencies.

What are RMC's Main Goals?

RMC focuses on these important goals:

• To create excellent, world-class programs. These programs are important for the Canadian Armed Forces and Canada.
• To encourage teamwork and partnerships with other groups in Canada and around the world.
• To promote cooperation between different study areas.

Academics at RMC

RMC's main goal is to educate and train officer cadets. They will become leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces. This includes the Air Force, Navy, and Army.

For most students in the Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP), their education is free. They also get a monthly salary to help with costs. Classes are offered both on campus and online. They are taught in both English and French. After they graduate, officers agree to serve in the military for a certain time.

RMC offers many different study programs:

• 19 undergraduate programs in areas like Social Sciences, Humanities, Science, and Engineering.
• 34 graduate study options, including 14 doctorate degrees.

There are also special programs like the "Officer Professional Military Education" (OPME). The Department of Applied Military Science (AMS) offers programs for officers and warrant officers.

All undergraduate students take core courses. These courses give them a balanced education. They cover subjects like:

• Economics
• Psychology
• Mathematics
• English
• Calculus
• Military history of Canada
• Chemistry
• Canadian History
• Physics
• Civics

What Can You Study at RMC?

RMC has different faculties, or departments, for various subjects:

How Much Does RMC Cost?

For most students who are officer cadets, their education at RMC is free. They also get a monthly salary. This is because they commit to serving in the military after they graduate.

Civilian students can also apply for master's and doctoral programs. There is funding to help these students work alongside military graduate students.

Research and Special Centres

RMC focuses its research on topics that help the Department of National Defence. More than 90% of the research is related to defence. This includes studies in:

• Electrical and computer engineering
• Physics and chemistry
• Environmental and civil engineering
• International security and defence economics

RMC also has special centres and institutes:

Cadet Life and Training

The undergraduate students at RMC are called the Cadet Wing. This group is divided into 13 squadrons. Each squadron has about 80 cadets. Squadrons are led by older cadets, guided by a squadron commander.

RMC Squadrons

Here are the names and mascots of the RMC squadrons:

Note: The dates show when the current squadron names were adopted. Some squadrons have existed since RMC started in 1876.

How Cadets are Trained

There are several ways to get an education at RMC.

Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP)

The ROTP is a scholarship for selected students. Besides a university education, cadets get military training and language training. They also have a job waiting for them after they graduate. They receive a full-time salary, dental care, and paid vacation. After ROTP, officer cadets get a university degree and become officers in the Canadian Forces. They usually serve for at least five years.

Other Training Programs

• UTPNCM: This is for non-commissioned members of the Canadian Forces. They earn a degree and then become officers.
• IBDP: This is a bachelor's degree program.
• DCS: The Division of Continuing Studies offers programs, some part-time.

How Students are Chosen

To apply for ROTP, candidates are tested on their skills and personality. They also have a medical examination and an interview. Their school grades from grade 9 to 12 are very important. Officer cadets must keep up good grades and military performance.

Continuing Studies at RMC

RMC started its graduate studies program in 1965. The Division of Continuing Studies began in 1997. This division helps all Canadian Forces members, their spouses, and DND civilian employees get a university education. Military training can count as credit towards degrees.

Special degree programs for Canadian Forces members include:

• Bachelor of Military Arts & Sciences
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Defence Management and Policy
• Master of Arts and PhD in War Studies

Artists at RMC

RMC has an Artist-in-Residence program. Artists like novelists, poets, and musicians come to the college. They hold workshops and perform for the students. This program helps cadets explore their creative side.

Military Training and First Year Experience

Military training at RMC starts in the summer before first year. It begins with Basic Military Officer Qualification (BMOQ). After BMOQ, cadets who are not yet bilingual take Second Language Training (SLT). The rest of the summers are spent on other training specific to each cadet's military job.

First Year Orientation Period (FYOP)

FYOP is a challenging time for new cadets. It lasts for four weeks at the start of the school year. During FYOP, first-year cadets must follow very strict rules. They must keep their uniforms and rooms perfect. They march everywhere and do a lot of physical training. They cannot leave RMC or have visitors during this time.

The end of FYOP is marked by an obstacle course. This course tests teamwork and physical fitness. After completing the obstacle course, first-year cadets are officially welcomed into the Cadet Wing. They can then see their families and leave the college grounds.

Older cadets, usually second-year students, act as "academic parents." They help guide and support the first-year cadets.

Military Law at RMC

The Military Law Centre at RMC teaches officers and troops about legal matters. This includes the Forces' own rules and the laws of war. It also trains military lawyers. RMC cadets take part in international competitions on the Law of Armed Conflict.

Sports and Activities

Royal Military College of Canada Cadets compete at Sandhurst Competition in 2009

Royal Military College of Canada Robotic Sailboat

Sports are a big part of life at RMC. Cadets must take physical education classes and play sports. This helps them stay fit and develop leadership skills. The goal is to build strong skills in fitness, sports, and military activities.

RMC Bands

The RMC has several bands and performance groups:

• The Massed Band includes Brass and Reed, Pipes and Drums, and Highland Dancers. They perform at parades and events.
• The Brass and Reed Band plays for parades and concerts.
• The Pipe Section and Drum Section play at dinners, sports events, and ceremonies.
• The Highland Dance Section performs at many events.
• The Choir sings the national anthem and performs with the Stage Band.
• The Stage Band plays different types of music, from dinner music to jazz.
• The Cheer Band plays music for RMC sports events.

RMC Campus and Buildings

MV Cordite, Royal Military College of Canada

RMC is located on Point Frederick in Kingston, Ontario. This small piece of land is where the St. Lawrence River meets Lake Ontario. It's also where the Rideau Canal begins. This area has been a military base since 1789.

The campus has historic buildings and modern facilities. The Stone Frigate, a large stone building from 1820, was once used for British warships. It became a dormitory and classrooms for RMC in 1876.

During the 1930s, unemployed men helped build parts of the campus. They rebuilt the wall of Fort Frederick and added extensions to buildings.

Important Buildings and Features

The RMC campus has several buildings that are recognized as National Historic Sites. These buildings show different architectural styles from over the years.

Some notable buildings include:

• Mackenzie Building (1876-1878): An important historic building.
• Currie Building (1918-1920): Named after Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Currie.
• Stone Frigate (1819-1824): The oldest dormitory, known as "The Boat."
• Yeo Hall (1935): A mess hall named after Sir James Lucas Yeo.
• Fort Frederick Martello Tower (1846-1847): A historic tower that houses the RMC Museum.
• Memorial Arch (1923): A monument honoring former cadets who died in war.

Other Campus Buildings

Building (built)	Recognition	Image
Sawyer building (1977)	Engineering building, named after Col WR Sawyer.	Sawyer Building, Royal Military College of Canada
Senior Staff Mess (1960–1962)	Features paintings by Forshaw Day.	Royal Military College of Canada Senior Staff Mess Kingston, Ontario
Massey Library (1960)	Named after Rt Hon Vincent Massey.	Massey library at Royal Military College of Canada
Fort Sauvé Dormitory Building 81 (2001)	Named after Rt Hon Jeanne Sauvé.	Fort Sauve, Royal Military College of Canada
Fort Brant Dormitory Building 86 (2010)	Named after Chief Joseph Brant.	Fort Brant, Royal Military College of Canada

RMC Libraries

The Massey Library at RMC has about 250,000 books. It also has audio-visual items and periodicals in English and French. The library keeps historical items from RMC, like cadet photos and diaries.

Dormitories

RMC has six dormitories where officer cadets live. They are co-educational, meaning both male and female cadets live there. First-year cadets often share a room. Sometimes they share with someone who speaks the other official language.

The dormitories are:

• The Stone Frigate (1819–20)
• Fort Lasalle
• Fort Haldimand
• Fort Champlain (1965)
• Fort Sauve (2001)
• Fort Brant (2011), also called "The Greenhouse" because of its large glass facade.

Traditions and History of RMC

Commandant coin of excellence at Royal Military College of Canada may be awarded to students, alumni, or staff

RMC has many traditions and memorials. These include monuments, plaques, and special trees. Students also write poems to remember those connected with RMC who died serving their country.

The official cheer of RMC is:

Call: Gimme a beer!

Response: Beer! Esses! Emma! T-D-V!
Who can stop old RMC!
Shrapnel, Cordite, NCT!
R-M-C Hooah!

A Look Back at RMC's History

The Royal Military College of Canada was created after British forces left Canada in 1870-71. The Canadian government realized it needed its own officer training college. The college opened on June 1, 1876, with 18 cadets. In 1878, Queen Victoria allowed it to use the name "Royal."

The first Commandant, Lieut. Colonel Hewett, chose the college motto: "Truth, Duty, Valour." These words guide the cadets.

Here are some important moments in RMC's history:

Uniforms at RMC

Royal Military College of Canada uniforms

Cadets wear different uniforms for different events. These include:

• Ceremonial dress for special occasions.
• Service dress for daily activities.
• Combat dress for training.

Since 2009, cadets wear a special "Dress of the Day" uniform. It includes a white shirt, black sweater, and black trousers with a red stripe.

Student Life and Activities

• The RMC Cadet Mess in Yeo Hall is a place for social activities.
• RMC has chapels for Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim communities.
• Currie Hall is a grand hall used for special events and lectures.
• The campus is on the shore of Lake Ontario, close to parks and downtown Kingston.
• Cadets must do community service projects every year. This includes helping underprivileged youth, collecting food, and maintaining city parks.
• RMC has many student clubs, like: Arts, Astronomy, Cheerleading, Chess, Climbing, Cycling, Debating, drama, Judo, Taekwondo, Outdoors, Paintball, Photo, rowing, Social Dance, Stage Band, Triathlon/Running, and Yachting.

Summer Programs

During the summer, RMC's facilities are used for:

• HMCS Ontario, a training centre for Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.
• "Can you dig it?" - a week-long archaeology summer camp.
• Various conferences and sporting events.
• Summer sports camps, including Soccer, Fencing, and Volleyball.

Images for kids

• 

  Mackenzie Building, Royal Military College of Canada, in 1880

• 

  Obstacle course training at the Royal Military College of Canada

• 

  Royal Military College of Canada cadets train with armstrong field guns c 1885; Stone Frigate

• 

  Royal Military College of Canada cadets drill in parade square, Stone Frigate 1880s

• 

  Royal Military College of Canada cadets c 1880s

• 

  Royal Military College of Canada Mackenzie building entrance

• 

  Royal Military College of Canada Campus in 1920

• 

  The Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario

See also

In Spanish: Escuela Militar de Canadá para niños

• Royal Military College of Canada Museum
• Royal Military College Saint-Jean
• Royal Roads Military College
• Canadian Military Colleges