Four Pillars of RMC

In order to graduate from the College and receive your commission you must successfully complete all four pillars: academics, bilingualism, military leadership, and physical fitness.

Academic Pillar

  1. Standard to be met: In order to graduate and receive your commission you must be successful in your academic program. Academic requirements are detailed in the College Academic Calendar.
  2. CAF Requirements: A strong academic foundation develops critical thinking skills which will enable you to become an effective leader.
  3. Path to Success:
    1. The Academic Pillar is generally a four-year undergraduate programme during which N/OCdts are expected to complete their subsidized studies;
    2. Failing any one course will not necessarily mean an expulsion from the programme, but every instance will be carefully reviewed by the Academic Wing.  Refer to Office of the Registrar (Academic Calendar for further details);
    3. Additional requirements will be provided by the academic staff for each class taken while at the College;
    4. It is possible for an N/OCdt to request a change of programme. The request will be assessed and if deemed valid will be approved by the CoC if there are no negative repercussions on your trade requirements; and
    5. Your responsibilities while at the college are to succeed. All classes and exams scheduled at the college are considered places of duty; excusals may only be authorized by the Chain of Command. As such it is the responsibility of all N/OCdts to arrive on time and ready for instruction for all classes and exams.
  4. Incentives:
    1. Academic Distinction Badges can be earned for uniform dress for achieving an academic average of at least 80% (First Class Distinction); and
    2. Maintaining a “B” average over the course of a program will facilitate the process of being accepted into a Graduate studies programme at a later date.

Bilingualism Pillar

  1. Standard to be met: In order to graduate and receive your commission you must achieve a second language profile of BBB or better.
  2. CAF Requirements. Canada has two official languages and all its citizens, including members of the CAF and DND employees have a right to be provided with services, including orders, counselling, etc. in their first official language. CAF leaders must also be able to effectively communicate with their subordinates in their first official language. Furthermore, a bilingual officer corps enhances CAF capabilities to interact with international allies.
  3. Path to Success: The College Bilingualism Pillar will allow you:
    1. to develop the ability to communicate in both official languages; and
    2. to become functionally bilingual (BBB).
  4. Practice makes perfect: In order to promote and practice bilingualism, the College will operate in French and English in alternating periods throughout the academic year, on a monthly basis.
  5. Second Official Language Education and Training (SOLET): N/OCdts who require SOLET will be enrolled in formal classes during the academic year. Those N/OCdts who require additional training in order to achieve the required standard will be enrolled in SOLET as follows:
    1. A five-week course after the completion of BMOQ Mod 2 and, before the start of the Second Academic Year;
    2. A ten-week course during the summer following the end of the Second Academic Year; and
    3. Additional SOLET as required.
  6. Immersion: Where warranted and practicable, N/OCdts may be offered opportunities for continual immersion during periods of on-the-job employment (OJE).
  7. Incentives:
    1. Bilingualism Badges can be earned for uniform dress based on the level of proficiency;
    2. If the BBB level is achieved prior to finishing the academic programme, a N/OCdt may be excused from further language training; and
    3. N/OCdts who have met the standard may be given opportunities to surpass the minimal requirements (e.g. taking academic courses in their SOL).

Military Pillar

  1. Standard to be met: In order to graduate and receive their commission, N/OCdts must maintain a satisfactory level of performance throughout their stay at the College; this includes good conduct, attitude, class attendance, followership, teamwork, participation, etc. Additionally, all N/OCdts must demonstrate successful leadership in a designated command position while at the College.
  2. A position will be designated as command when the following criteria are met:
    1. a N/OCdt is responsible for the direct supervision of other N/OCdts;
    2. a N/OCdt is responsible for the evaluation, mentoring, and coaching of those within their chain of authority (CCoA); 
    3. a N/OCdt is responsible for the administration and discipline of N/OCdts within their CCoA; and
    4. a N/OCdt is accountable to their direct supervisor for the well-being of those within their CCoA.
  3. CAF Requirements. In order to become a good leader, one must first learn to be a good follower. Sound leadership is based on a solid theoretical foundation and developed through training, experience and continued self-development.
  4. Training Wing (TW): Director of Cadets (DCdts) exercises command and control of the Cadet Wing. Under DCdts’ command the TW personnel are responsible to supervise the activities of the Cadet Wing, provide coaching and mentoring, as well as managing and delivering the N/OCdts’ Professional Development Programme.
  5. Cadet Chain of Authority (CCoA): The CCoA operates within the Training Wing Chain of Command. Under the supervision of the TW CoC, N/OCdts assigned to the CCoA are responsible for the tasks inherent to their position and must demonstrate good leadership and provide supervision, coaching and mentoring to the other N/OCdts. Terms of Reference for all CCoA Bar Slate appointments are published on the College Intranet Site and available to all N/OCdts.
  6. Path to Success: The College will provide N/OCdts with opportunities to follow, lead, learn from their mistakes, and grow from the experience. All N/OCdts will receive a Personnel Development Review (PDR) at the beginning of every semester. The PDR will consist of a one-on-one interview with TW CoC (Sqn Comd, Sqn WO, etc) which will include a review of the N/OCdt’s performance in all four pillars to date, goals for the next semester, and appropriate counselling, coaching and mentoring as required. N/OCdts in the CCoA will also be assigned personal mentors from the College staff.
  7. Professional Development (PD): The N/OCdts’ PD Programme is aimed at enriching the N/OCdts’ body of knowledge, providing them with the training, professional military education, and experiential opportunities to allow them to succeed as ROTP/RETP candidates and prepare them for the challenges and rigours of military service. The programme will also develop their commitment to life-long learning and self-development. The primary goals of the PD Programme are to enable N/OCdts to succeed at the College and to prepare them for their immediate future in the CAF after graduation. The Programme will consist of the following:
    1. Professional Military Education: Guests lectures from Institutional Leaders, guided research and presentations, general service knowledge, military writing, etc;
    2. Training (Skill at Arms): Drill, military skills exercises, military fitness; 
    3. Experience: Leadership appointments, College or Sqn Duties, group tasks, summer OJE programme; and
    4. Self-development: Introduction to on-line learning and professional development courses required by CAF members, and any other subjects as discussed with TW CoC.
  8. Incentives:
    1. High performance in all pillars may provide N/OCdts with additional leadership opportunities based on the needs of the college; 
    2. N/OCdts who excel in this pillar will have a much easier transition upon arriving at their first posting;
    3. A College Leadership Proficiency Badge can be earned and worn on the dress uniform;
    4. Military Badges for Marksmanship can be earned and worn on the dress uniform; and
    5. Other Corps Proficiency Badges may be awarded to members of Corps of Pipes and Drums, Brass and Reed Band, Highland Dance Corps, and the College Choir. 

Physical Fitness Pillar

  1. Standard to be met. In order to graduate and receive your commission, you will need to pass the Canadian Military Colleges Physical Performance Test (PPT). 
    1. The PPT consists of the following five events:
      1. the 2.4 km run,
      2. push-ups,
      3. agility run,
      4. sit-ups, and
      5. standing long jump.
    2. Each event is scored out of 100 points for a total of 500.
    3. All cadets are required to attain a minimum of 250 points with a minimum of 50 points on the run and 35 points on any of the four other events for each of the tests.  However, a minimum point score on every event is not sufficient for an overall passing mark, and cadets will be required to go above the minimum standards.
  2. CAF Requirements. Military service and its inherent physical and mental demands require a personal lifelong commitment towards physical fitness.  In CAF doctrine, physical fitness is defined as “the set of attributes relating to one’s ability to perform daily tasks and/or physical activities and includes achieving both operational physical fitness and health-related fitness. Operational physical fitness includes the physical abilities and capacities (as well as mental stamina) to effectively and efficiently perform physically demanding occupational/operations tasks without undue fatigue and with minimal risk of injury.”Note 1 Health-related physical fitness is the attributes of physical fitness that relate directly to lifelong health and well-being. To lead by example, CAF Officers must maintain a very high level of physical fitness that inspires their subordinates. In order to evaluate individual fitness levels, the CAF administers the FORCE Evaluation which is designed to simulate the physical demands and movement patterns of the six common military tasks which form the Minimum Physical Fitness Standard (MPFS) for the Universality of Service. They are essential, physically demanding tasks anyone in the CAF is expected to be able to perform. These tasks are derived from real operational scenarios which have been identified and described by military subject matter experts, and have been scientifically validated by the Directorate of Fitness.Note 2
  3. Path to Success. While at the college N/OCdts will be tested annually in accordance with the FORCE Evaluation.  In addition, all N/OCdts will be tested twice a year in accordance with the CMC PPT protocol. The PPT will progressively develop the N/OCdts’ physical fitness through a rigorous program sequenced as follows:
    1. First Years. a.        During your first academic year, the fall and winter PPT tests will only serve as an indicator of your level of fitness and the effort required for you to achieve the desired standard of fitness. It is an opportunity to learn since a failure will not lead to administrative action. On a case-by-case basis, N/OCdts may be directed to attend Supplementary Physical Training (SPT) during the first year;
    2. Second, Third, and Fourth Years. Starting in the second year, all N/OCdts must pass the PPT in order to continue with the College ROTP/RETP. If a N/OCdt fails to achieve the PPT (and the subsequent re-test), administrative action will be taken and they will be placed on SPT. If a N/OCdt fails a second PPT (and the subsequent re-test) at any time during the remaining years of the programme, administrative action will continue and a Progress Review Board (PRB) will be convened;
    3. Supplementary Physical Training (SPT). Cadets who have not met the physical fitness standards will be provided with Supplementary Physical Training; and
    4. Physical Fitness and Activites: While at the College, N/OCdts will be given ample opportunities to develop and maintain a high level of physical fitness through organized physical training, mandatory intra-mural sports, or participation in competitive sports clubs or on a varsity team.
  4. Incentives:
    1. Fourth Year N/OCdts who achieve an overall score greater than 400 in the fall term may be exempt testing in the winter term if they so choose;
    2. The Fourth Year N/OCdt who achieves the highest average PPT score in all four years is awarded a Trophy;
    3. The individual male and female N/OCdts with the highest PPT scores in First, Second, and Third Years are recognized annually with prizes and awards;
    4. A College Physical Fitness Badge is awarded to N/OCdts who achieve a score of 400 or higher on the PPT;
    5. N/OCdts who achieve a score of 450 or greater during any PPT are entered in the 450 PPT Club and given a 450 T-shirt;
    6. A Corps Proficiency Badge may be worn on the dress uniform by Varsity Athletes; and
    7. Participation on Competitive Clubs or on a Varsity Team is contingent on the N/OCdt maintaining a good standing in all four pillars.  Varsity and Competitive Club athletes must therefore pass the PPT test in order to be allowed to compete with the team or club. Should a Varsity or Competitive Club athlete fail to achieve a pass standard on the PPT at any given time, DCdts, with input from D Athletics, will determine the extent to which the athlete’s participation will be limited until successful completion of the next PPT.
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