Royal Military College places 2nd in international military skills competition at West Point, N.Y.
April 29, 2024 - Defence Stories
Caption
The Military Skills Team of RMC Saint-Jean (Left) flanked by RMC’s team during a forced march on the first day of the 2-day Sandhurst International Military Skills Competition hosted by the United States Military Academy on April 26, 2024 in West Point, N.Y. The RMC team was presented the International Trophy for 1st Place International Team, and received an award for their handling of M4 and M17 rifles. The team from RMC Saint-Jean ranked tied for 5th place of 48 teams.
U.S. Air Force Photo by Cadet Connor Brezenski
The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) placed 2nd amongst 48 participating teams from 15 countries at the 57th Annual Sandhurst Military Skills Competition held at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, N.Y., on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
The team - first on stage at the award ceremony - was presented with the International Trophy for the top non-U.S. team, and a plaque for its handling of M4 rifles and M17 pistols. Thanks to the support provided by the Royal Military Colleges Alumni Association, and the RMC Classes of ‘64 and ‘69 who provided significant funding to the team this year, the participation of the team to this international competition was made possible.
"The performance of the teams from RMC and RMC Saint-Jean at this international competition attests to the quality of the military training provided at the Canadian Miliary Colleges," said MGen Denis O’Reilly, Commander Canadian Defence Academy. "The lessons learned will help them throughout their careers as future leaders and show them as an inspiration to the rest of the military community."
The two-day skills competition typically includes approximately 43 kilometres of navigation across difficult terrain, weapons handling, rifle marksmanship, combat swim (in full gear), trauma care/first aid, problem solving and leadership challenges.
"I commend our team on their extraordinary performance. This highlights RMC’s military training, integrated with the academic education of its naval and officer cadets," added BGen Pascal Godbout, Commandant RMC. "To be selected for competitions of this caliber, candidates must demonstrate a balance among the academic, bilingualism, military and fitness pillars, which will be necessary during operations at home and abroad later on in their career."
Caption
The Military Skills Teams of RMC and RMC Saint-Jean cheer together after finishing ‘The Crucible’ the final challenge in the two-day grueling Sandhurst International Military Skills Competition hosted by the United States Military Academy on April 27, 2024, in West Point, N.Y.
-DND Photo by Captain Jonathan Farlam
Military academies from around the world participate in the prestigious annual Sandhurst competition, which dates back to 1967. RMC has an exemplary record at the competition, having placed first four times since 2006.
For the second time, RMC was joined by another Canadian team at the competition, with RMC Saint-Jean joining the roster of teams from across Europe, North and South America and Asia. They ranked tied for 5th place.
"The commitment of our team in pursuit of excellence is a source of inspiration for the rest of the College. Their unwavering dedication to skill improvement, coupled with their strong character and humility, has played a vital role in their success, aiding in their development into exceptional future leaders," concluded Col Guillaume Tremblay, Commandant RMC Saint-Jean.
The Sandhurst competition tests officer cadets’ military skills, physical endurance, and teamwork. Each team is comprised of 11 officer cadets (nine per obstacle with two resting) who must work together to overcome the formidable and varied obstacles they encounter in the course of the competition.
To become a member of the team, officer cadets must pass a grueling selection process held at the beginning of the school year, followed by daily training.
"The performance of the teams from RMC and RMC Saint-Jean at this international competition attests to the quality of the military training provided at the Canadian Miliary Colleges," said MGen Denis O’Reilly, Commander Canadian Defence Academy. "The lessons learned will help them throughout their careers as future leaders and show them as an inspiration to the rest of the military community."
Page details
- Date modified: