Life at RMC
RMC Saint-Jean
General
RMC Campus
All officer cadets who enter the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) are enrolled in either the Regular Forces under the Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) or the University Training Plan for Non-Commissioned Members (UTPNCM)
All officer cadets enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are subject to the CAF Code of Service Discipline. As members of RMC's Cadet Wing, officer cadets are also subject to Cadet Wing Instructions (CADWINS). These orders and instructions regulate life at RMC and all Cadets are required to both adhere to and enforce them.
Training Wing Command Team
The Cadet Wing is part of the Training Wing which is commanded by the Director of Cadets (DCdts). DCdts is responsible to the Commandant RMC for the overall conduct, supervision, discipline and performance of the Cadet Wing. DCdts is assisted in his/her duties by the officers, Non-Commissioned Members and civilian staff of the Training Wing. The Division Commanders and Squadron Commanders of the Training Wing mentor, counsel and evaluate cadets. The Training Wing Staff are responsible for the officer cadets' military training including officership, physical fitness and drill. The Staff are available to answer cadet inquiries and provide advice on military matters.
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Cadet Wing Organization
The Cadet Wing Chain of Responsibility is comprised of a Cadet Wing Headquarters led by the Cadet Wing Commander (CWC), a fourth year Cadet who exercises authority over the Cadet Wing (CW). The Cadet Wing is comprised of four divisions, each led by a fourth year Cadet Divisional Leader (CDL). Each division is comprised of three squadrons, each led by a fourth year Cadet Squadron Leader (CSL). Squadrons are comprised of a number of flights, each of which is led by a fourth year Cadet Flight Leader (CFL). Flights are comprised of a number of sections, each of which is led by a third year Cadet Section Commander (CSC). One of the squadrons (Otter Squadron) is a separate squadron comprised solely of students enrolled under the UTPNCM.
Cadet Wing Commander leads the parade in a feu de joie.
In addition to the above positions, senior officer cadets (Third and Fourth Years) also fill staff appointments within the Cadet Wing. Responsible for the discipline, progress, and efficiency of the Cadet Wing, senior cadets receive practical leadership training and experience. Cadets also organize and run an intramural sports program and carry out typical service duties, such as Cadet Duty Officer (CDO).
Cadet Life at RMC
Cadet life at the College is comprised of four Pillars; Academic, Military, Physical Fitness, and Bilingualism. A Unit Environment is also integrated to the four Pillars to allow the Cadets to be exposed to CAF Unit's Processes and Policies. The art of time and priority management along with work/life balance is developed from the synergistic requirements of a Cadet to maintain a high standard in all four Pillars, while at the same time accepting leadership roles that are part of a Unit Environment. Under the guidance of a professional military staff, the Cadet Wing functions as a Unit of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). This is done with a view to providing officer cadets with a working knowledge of how operational units within the CAF function so as to prepare them to assume leadership responsibilities in such units upon graduation.
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Cadet Military Training
Officer Cadets work together to overcome the obstacle course.
The College is fully residential. Cadets (other than UTPNCM) live together in a military environment. All cadets are required to take part in a demanding routine designed to raise them to a high standard of physical fitness, drill, dress and deportment. Military training is designed to produce officers with a strong sense of: duty, integrity, loyalty, courage, self-discipline, self-confidence, and ésprit de corps.
Cadets are responsible for the planning, organization and execution of many routine RMC activities. This practical "hands-on" approach provides all cadets the opportunity to develop as leaders. Although physically and mentally demanding, training that subjects anyone to personal indignities, illegal punishments, harassment, or "hazing" in any form is not condoned.
All cadets entering the College, less those in the UTPNCM, must pass a number of milestones before being accepted as a full-fledged member of the Cadet Wing. The most significant milestone, the obstacle course, is normally run at the end of the First Year Orientation Period (FYOP). It is designed to prove to the First Year cadet that while obstacles may seem insurmountable they can in fact be overcome through a combination of teamwork, fitness, stamina and determination.
Drill
The Royal Military College of Canada is well known for the quality and diversity of its ceremonial drill. Reaching this high standard can only be gained through the hard work and dedication of each cadet.
Cadets are expected to reach and maintain a high standard of personal drill with the service rifle, colours, and the sword.
A practical test is administered annually to verify that the standard has been achieved. At many times during the year, the Royal Military College of Canada is called upon to provide formations of cadets for ceremonial occasions. Preparation for these tasks is usually done outside of normal duty hours.
RMC Cadets perform rifle drill.
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Daily Routine
Weekdays
- 0530-0700: Some Competitive Clubs
- 0600-0800: Reveille, Ablutions, Breakfast and other activities
- 0800-1630: Classes (Lunch)
- 1645-1845: Sports
- 1700-1930: Supper
- 1900-2200: Study Time
- 2200-2300 Personal Time
- 2300: Lights Out
- Academic tutorials have priority on Monday evenings
Saturday to Sunday
- Typically two to three leave (vacation) weekends
- Typically one to two military weekends
- Parades
- Practical Training
- Professional Development
- Trips
- Varsity and Competitive Clubs (home and Away games/matches/events)
- Sunday 1900-2200 hrs is Study Time
Leave (or Vacation Time)
All Canadian Armed Forces personnel, including Cadets at RMC are entitled to 20 days of vacation time, otherwise known as leave. Weekends or statutory holidays are in addition to the 20 days of leave. After five years in the Canadian Armed Forces the leave entitlement is increased to 25 days. Cadets will have a five day Fall Study Break at Thanksgiving, Christmas leave for periods of up to three weeks each year, and a Reading Week that occurs in February of each year. In addition, Cadets will be entitled to leave during the Summer before or after their Summer training.
Residence
All ROTP officer cadets are required to live on campus. There are a combination of single and double rooms with the preference for single room allocation to senior years. All residences are co-ed. On-campus dining is provided. Cadets of the UTPNCM program do not live in residence.
Full recreational facilities, including an indoor swimming pool and ice rink, are situated in very close proximity to the College at the Kingston Military Community Sports Centre (KMCSC).
Cadet Pub (otherwise known as Cadet Mess)
Cadets eating in the Cadet Dining Hall
The Cadet Formal Mess
To visitors, the Cadet Mess looks like a typical university pub; the definition of an Officers’ Mess is a place where officers eat or take recreation. The RMC Cadet Mess provides facilities for the training of the Cadet Wing in the customs and practices of an Officers’ Mess. The Mess is an integral part of College life.
The Cadet Mess' general administration is carried out by a Cadet Mess Committee with cadet representation from all years assisted by a staff advisor. The Cadet Mess functions in the same manner as a Service Officers' Mess, with cadets paying Mess dues and filling all Mess committee positions. The RMC Cadet Mess has its own constitution and by-laws where the responsibilities and privileges of its cadet members are explained.
RMC Band
The RMC Band marching across the LaSalle Causeway for the Annual Copper Sunday Parade
The Royal Military College Band provides a recreational outlet for cadets with musical interests. The RMC Band performs at College parades and functions (including the Spring Concert in Scarlet) and also participates in local, national and international events. The RMC Band is composed of five sections: the Pipes, the Drums, the Brass and Reed, the Highland Dancers and the Choir.
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Chaplain Services
The RMC Chaplain Team offers spiritual, religious and pastoral care to all CAF members and their immediate family, who are posted to, attending, or working at RMC and MPG/CDA, regardless of affiliation or non-affiliation with a faith group, spiritual practice, etc.
Chaplains provide regular Religious Services within their own traditions and facilitate the worship of members from other faith traditions by connecting them with local resources. Chaplains provide Pastoral Counselling and are a safe place to discuss the many challenges life in the Military presents.
For the Academic Year 2018/19, RMC has four Chaplains: a Roman Catholic, a Muslim and two Protestant Ministers. As well, RMC has an Indigenous Spiritual Advisor available.
Additional information on Chaplain Services at RMC
Canadian Forces Exchange - CANEX
The CANEX has a small store located on campus where cadets can purchase personal articles, souvenirs, snacks and dry cleaning.