The Royal Military College of Canada: A History of Leadership and Education
The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), known in French as Collège militaire royal du Canada (CMR), stands as a testament to Canada's commitment to developing leaders for its armed forces and beyond. Established in 1874 and commencing its first classes on June 1, 1876, RMC is a unique institution, simultaneously a military academy and, since 1959, a degree-granting university of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Origins and Establishment
Long before its official establishment, proposals for military colleges in Canada were circulating. Following the withdrawal of British forces from Canada between 1870 and 1871, the Canadian federal government recognized the pressing need for a domestic officer training college. In 1874, during Alexander Mackenzie's administration-often credited as the college's true founder-Parliament passed "An Act to Establish a Military College." This act paved the way for the Military College of Canada, which opened its doors on June 1, 1876, with 18 cadets under the leadership of Lt.-Col. Edward Osborne Hewett, R.E. These first cadets are known as the "Old Eighteen".
Admission to the college was based on examinations, and the initially high standards led to a lower number of applicants.
Royal Designation and Early Years
In 1878, Queen Victoria granted the college the prestigious prefix "Royal," officially renaming it the Royal Military College of Canada. RMC distinguished itself from British service academies by offering a four-year course heavily focused on science and engineering, similar to West Point. However, unlike its peers, RMC did not guarantee its graduates a career as army officers. Given Canada's limited permanent armed forces at the time, many cadets pursued careers in the private sector, with families viewing RMC as a strong preparation for civilian life. Some graduates received commissions in the Permanent Force or the British Army, which offered four commissions annually to RMC graduates.
A House of Commons report from 1881 highlighted this unique position: "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."
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Another challenge during the early years was the underrepresentation of French-speaking cadets. In the college's first 23 years, only 20 out of 500 cadets were French Canadian, and in the following 14 years, this number only increased to 19 out of 500.
Adaptation and Growth
The college faced a period of decline in the early 1890s, but Gerald Kitson's successful term as superintendent revitalized the institution. Kitson purged ineffective staff members and reduced the course length to three years. His successors continued the dual civil-military model but placed greater emphasis on the military aspects of the college's education.
During the First World War, RMC remained operational, although the course was shortened to two years, and military instruction was intensified. 982 ex-cadets served in the war, representing 86% of those who had attended the college before November 1919, who were healthy and under the age of 55. After the war, RMC returned to its pre-war four-year course.
During the Great Depression of the 1930s, a military-run relief camp was established on Barriefield lower common under the command of the RMC Commandant.
Wartime Closure and Re-establishment
In 1942, the last cadet class graduated from RMC for the duration of the Second World War. The college colours were laid up in St. George's Cathedral, and the facility was repurposed as a wartime training center, offering courses such as the Company Commanders Course, Military Intelligence Course, and the War Staff Course.
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After the war, the future of RMC was uncertain. Alumni mobilized to advocate for its reopening. In 1946, the Chesley committee, led by Brigadier Leonard McEwan Chelsey (RMC 1917), recommended the elimination of RMC as a cadet-training college in favor of university-based training followed by military training at RMC. Ultimately, the college was re-opened as a tri-service institution in 1948, with the "New One Hundred" cadets reporting on 20 September 1948.
University Status and Modernization
In 1959, the province of Ontario granted RMC a university charter through "The Royal Military College of Canada Degrees Act, 1959," allowing it to offer degrees in arts, science, and engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This act received Royal Assent on March 26, 1959.
RMC became officially bilingual in 1969. In 1976, the college celebrated its centennial. While the full dress uniform remained largely unchanged, the Pillbox hat replaced the shako, and RMC certificates of graduation were replaced by RMC diplomas of graduation.
Innovations and Traditions
The first recorded First Aid class taught in Ontario was held at RMC. A plaque commemorates the 125th anniversary of this event. LCol Edward Theodore Barclay Gillmore composed ‘The R.M.C. waltzes for piano [music]‘ dedicated to the Gentlemen Cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada, which was published by A. & S. Nordheimer in 1877.
In the year following the outbreak of the Great War, 200 men undertook a seven-day examination for the 53 positions at the Royal Military College. The college also has a history of animal mascots, including a Liver Chestnut Mare named Collie, a bay mare named Deuce, a brown mare named Peggy, and a white goat named Nan, the mascot of the Princess of Wales' Own Regiment during the Great War, who retired to the college stables from 1918 until her death on 22 September 1924, at 12 years of age.
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The RMC Club commemorated the fallen from the Second World War on two bronze plaques located on the flanking plinths of the Arch. The Old Brigade, alumni celebrating 50 + years since they entered one of the military colleges, are inducted.
At one time, RMC was the only military college with a four-year course, with military content comprising 15 percent of the curriculum. A new system of organization was devised, consisting of a vice-commandant as director of studies, to coordinate military and academic training and to represent RMC at the National Conference of Canadian Universities. The commandant personally commanded the cadet battalion.
The RMC MkI submarine was launched, measuring 20 feet long with a 6-foot beam and weighing 7200 pounds. The RMC Band was founded. In March 1964, Col the Hon. George F.G. Stanley, then Dean of Arts RMC, suggested to Col. the Hon. J.R. Matheson that the RMC College Flag should form the basis of the Canadian flag.
A commemorative dollar coin depicts a hockey game at Kingston Harbour in 1886: Royal Military College of Canada vs. . RMC has operated a SLOWPOKE reactor research facility in Kingston, Ontario since 1985. A Neutron Beam Tube (NBT) was added in February 1999 to the SLOWPOKE-2 facility for radioscopy and tomography operations. In June 1991, the Regimental Colour of The Royal Military College of Canada was approved. A special convocation was held to award degrees to all who graduated from RMC before it could grant degrees.
Academics and Research
RMC now produces one graduate degree for every 2.5 undergraduate degrees. The courses are offered both on site and by distance learning in both English and French. RMC offers 34 graduate studies opportunities, including 14 doctorates. In addition to the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Engineering, and Science, the Division of Continuing Studies offers undergraduate and graduate level programs including the "Officer Professional Military Education" program (OPME).
All undergraduate students are required to complete the core curriculum, which is designed to provide a balanced liberal arts, science, and military education. The research at RMC focusses on areas of direct and indirect benefit to the Department of National Defence, with more than 90 percent of the research being defence-related. RMC conducts both academic and contracted research on a wide range of topics, including electrical and computer engineering, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering and environmental engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, international security, governance, and the economics of defence. Some research involves the Institute for the Environment as well as nuclear research.
The Royal Language Centre of Canada teaches cadets how to communicate in both of Canada's official languages, English and French. The program begins with 4 placement tests. Founded in September 1999, the Canadian Forces Leadership Institute (CFLI) at RMC teaches the philosophy of leadership and command. The CFLI is a centre for multi-disciplinary research, analysis and lessons learned on leadership and professionalism in the armed forces and civil society.
Research Institutes and Centers
RMC is home to several research institutes and centers, each dedicated to specific areas of study:
- Canadian Forces Leadership Institute (CFLI): Founded in September 1999, CFLI focuses on the philosophy of leadership and command, serving as a hub for research, analysis, and lessons learned in leadership and professionalism within the armed forces and civil society.
- Centre for Security and Defence Studies (CSDS): Established in 1975, CSDS conducts research on national and international security matters, as well as other aspects of international relations.
- GeoEngineering Centre: Founded in 2001 in collaboration with Queen's University, this center innovates and advances knowledge in geotechnical, geohydrological, geochemical, geomechanical, and geosynthetics engineering.
- Defence and Security Research Institute (DSRI): Created on June 13, 2008, DSRI serves as a defense and security center within both academic and defense science research communities.
- Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR): Established in 2010 in partnership with Queen's University, CIMVHR focuses on research related to the health of military personnel and veterans.
- Canadian Security and Foreign Affairs Society (CSAFS): Founded in 2006, CSAFS operates as a think tank within the Department of Politics and Economics.
- Military Law Centre: Located on the grounds of RMC and staffed with military lawyers, this center oversees the education of officers and troops in legal matters, ranging from the Forces' code of conduct to the laws of war. It also trains military lawyers and advises Ottawa on policy and doctrine. Selected RMC Canada cadets participate in Law of Armed Conflict international Competitions each fall with cadets from USAFA, USMA, USNA, and USCGA.
Training Programs
RMC offers a variety of training programs to meet the diverse needs of Canadian Forces members:
- Diploma in Military Arts and Sciences (DMASc): This online program, made possible through a partnership between OntarioLearn, RMC, and the Canadian Defence Academy, provides non-commissioned members (NCMs) of the Canadian Forces with educational opportunities.
- Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP): This conditional scholarship is offered to selected applicants and provides officer cadets with a university education, military training, occupation training, second language training, and a guaranteed career after graduation. Upon successful completion of ROTP, officer cadets are awarded a university degree and granted commissions as officers in the Canadian Forces. Graduates typically serve at least five years with the Canadian Forces.
- Reserve Entry Training Plan: Discontinued in 2017, this program offered the same education as ROTP but was paid for by the student, who did not receive a salary and was not obligated to five years of service after completion. Reserve Entry cadets were paid more than ROTP cadets during their summer training months.
Military potential is assessed based on aptitudes, personality traits, and the choice of occupation. Academic performance is rated based on a student's transcript, with significant weight given to grades 9-11 marks.
Tuition and Finances
RMC started a graduate studies program in 1965. 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.
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. 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.
Campus Life and Traditions
Cadets wear a variety of uniforms depending on the occasion and their environment: ceremonial dress (semi ceremonial); full dress (formal occasions); outside sports dress; service dress Air Force; service dress Navy; service dress Navy without jacket; Service dress Air Force without jacket; service dress Army without jacket; and combat dress. In winter 2009, Royal Military College officer cadets returned to wearing a distinctive Dress of the Day (DOD) uniform which consists of a white shirt, black sweater/light jacket, as well as black trousers/skirt with a red stripe down the side.
The RMC Cadet Mess in Yeo Hall has facilities for social and recreational activities. 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. Bill & Alphie's, the on-campus cadet mess in Yeo Hall, is named after Bruce Bairnsfather's Great War cartoon characters.
The campus is on the shore of Lake Ontario and has easy access to two lake-front parks, favourite locations for students to relax. Cadets are obligated to perform community service. Every year there is a mandatory class project.
Notable Alumni
Many RMC alumni have served Canada in war and peace. Billy Bishop was a leading ace of the First World War, won the Victoria Cross and helped to create the Canadian Flying Corps. Charles Merritt was a lawyer and militia officer who won the Victoria Cross at Dieppe during the Second World War. Leonard Birchall, the "Saviour of Ceylon", discovered the approach of the Japanese fleet during the Second World War and showed courage and leadership as a prisoner of war in Japan. Ex-cadets also helped with the peace process. John de Chastelain was twice Chief of Defence Staff and helped to monitor the Peace Accords in Northern Ireland. Romeo Dallaire headed the United Nation forces in Rwanda.
Many RMC alumni have had careers in the public or private sectors. Marc Garneau was the first Canadian in space and now is a Member of Parliament. Chris Hadfield became a test pilot, astronaut, the first Canadian to walk in space and the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station.
Legacy and Influence
RMC's legacy extends far beyond the battlefield. Its graduates have made significant contributions to Canadian society in various fields, embodying the college's motto of "Truth, Duty, Valour". The college's commitment to bilingualism, academic excellence, and leadership development has shaped generations of Canadian leaders.
The Royal Military College of Canada stands as a testament to the vision of its founders and the dedication of its faculty, staff, and alumni. Its history is intertwined with the development of Canada itself, and its future promises to continue shaping the nation's leaders for generations to come.
Appendices
- Commandants of RMC: A list of commandants who have led the Royal Military College of Canada throughout its history.
- Notable Faculty: Highlighting influential professors and instructors who have shaped the academic and military education at RMC.
- Awards and Recognition: A compilation of awards, honors, and distinctions earned by the Royal Military College of Canada and its members.
- RMC Traditions: Exploring unique customs, ceremonies, and traditions that contribute to the distinctive culture of the college.
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