The Royal Military College of Canada (French: College Militaire Royal du Canada), located on a 41-hectare peninsula in Kingston, Ontario, has been an active military base since 1789. Also, the Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard, located on the site, was an important dockyard during the War of 1812.
The RMC opened its doors in 1876 with only 18 cadets, and is the only federal institution in Canada with degree-granting powers, which during training military officers, in arts, science, and engineering, in what are known as the "four pillars" of academics, officership, athletics and bilingualism.
At the end of the college, the graduates can proudly say that they received an education in both official languages for officer cadets, they developed qualities of leadership and a high standard of physical fitness, hold an awareness of the ethic of the military profession and are able to conduct research activities and to meet the needs of Defence Research Agencies.
Their education meet the unique needs of the Canadian Armed Forces.
This year's virtual Ceremony:
Due to the Pandemic, during the past few months the courses of RMC were offered mostly by distance learning in both official languages English and French.
However, today is an important day for the graduates: The Royal Military College of Canada hosts a virtual ceremony to mark the convocation and commissioning of the Class of 2020, acknowledging their accomplishments.
The two-hour ceremony has been organized to respect provincial regulations of physical distancing, and will be live-streamed on the RMC Facebook page beginning at 1 p.m. You can follow it live at: https://www.facebook.com/RMCCanadaCMR/.
It will take place in the historical Currie Hall and will feature the projected images of graduates and award winners as their names are read. It will also include pre-recorded video messages by the RMC Chancellor and President, the Minister of National Defence, as well as the Chief of the Defence Staff and Ex-Cadets, retired Lieutenant-General, and celebrated humanitarian Roméo Dallaire and Canadian astronaut Colonel Chris Hadfield.
Over 300 degrees will be conferred in absentia:
two Doctor of Philosophy degrees;
52 Master’s degrees, and
over 250 Bachelor degrees and academic certificates.
Also, there will be officially announced the commissioning of approximately 235 Officers and Naval Cadets, of the fourth-year class who successfully completed all requirements to become Second Lieutenants and Acting Sub-Lieutenants in the Canadian Armed Forces.
For this year’s ceremony, sadly, there will be no passing through the Memorial Arch. Since 1924 the landmark of RMC stands strong to commemorate ex-cadets that lost their lives protecting Canada, as well as today’s graduates that will face their challenges with courage and with a sense of pride instilled in them.
The fact this year’s graduating class must forego the normal graduation ceremonies, speaks to the gravity of the COVID-19 crisis, but the RMC is committed to recognizing the graduates in this virtual, special way.
“We are tremendously proud of the accomplishments of our graduates. For those who can in future have time away from their duties, we welcome them to return for future graduation ceremonies — to stand with graduates, to walk across the stage and receive their scrolls, and to form with us on the parade square and raise swords as they march through the Memorial Arch”, Brigadier-General Sébastien Bouchard, RMC Commandant and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Harry Kowal, RMC Principal, mentioned in a statement.
They also highlighted the significance of the responsibilities the graduates accept as new members of the Canadian Armed Forces, by mentioning the tragic and sudden loss of Ex-Cadets Captain Brenden MacDonald, Captain Kevin Hagen, Captain Maxime Miron-Morin and Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough, as well as Master Corporal Matthew Cousins, Sub-Lieutenant Matthew Pyke, and Captain Jennifer Casey.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends", Bouchard and Kowal added.
The graduates will also be ensured today of their new units starting with this summer, as newly commissioned officers, ready to serve and to begin their careers in the Canadian Armed Forces.
After obtaining the bachelor's degree and an officer commission, new officers must serve in the Canadian Armed Forces for five to seven years. Pilots must serve seven years after they receive their license.
The general occupations offered to Canadian Military College graduates are:
Health Care Administration Officer
Artillery Officer
Logistics Officer
Military Police Officer
Armour Officer
Naval Warfare Officer
Air Combat Systems Officer
Infantry Officer
Aerospace Control Officer
Intelligence Officer
Pilot
Personnel Selection Officer
The Science programme is a prerequisite for the following occupations:
Engineer Officer
Marine Systems Engineering Officer
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Officer
Aerospace Engineering Officer
Naval Combat Systems Engineering Officer
Construction Engineering Officer
Communication and Electronics Engineering (Air) Officer
Signals Officer
The Class of 2020 is unique and its members have proven their ability to adapt, more recently, by proving themselves resilient by overcoming the unique challenges of COVID-19. It’s the latest cadre of officers who will help lead Canadian Armed Forces at home and abroad, including for ongoing domestic operations such as Operation LASER and Operation LENTUS.
“They have demonstrated they are ready for the dynamic challenges they will face as leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces”, Dr. Harry Kowal RMC Principal stated.
Today, the graduates, their families, as well as the members of the RMC Community, have a good reason to be proud and to celebrate. Happy Graduation Day!
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