Beginning on May 18 and concluding on May 20, more than 350 students attending the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) and Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean) will be presented their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, nearly 200 of them becoming commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

“Congratulations on reaching this milestone in your academic journey. Your hard work, dedication and perseverance have led to you this occasion. You have shown resilience in the face of individual and group challenges, and have demonstrated and unwavering commitment to yourself, this organization, and the country. I have no doubt that the foundation you have received at the Canadian Military Colleges has prepared you for the challenges that lie ahead, and I have no doubt you will succeed. On behalf of all Canadians, thank you!”

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

“Your academic studies and military training at RMC and RMC Saint-Jean are the strong foundation that will enable you as you embark upon your careers as commissioned officers. Your responsibilities as leaders in the profession of arms will be tremendous, and you must continue to challenge yourselves through lifelong learning and professional development, while embracing a leadership style marked by empathy, compassion, humility, and a relentless adherence to the highest ethical standards. You are ready for this challenge, and I am extremely proud of you as you begin the next phase in your careers in service to Canada.”

General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff

• The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has two degree-granting military universities: the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), located in Kingston, Ont., and Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean), located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. RMC grants bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees while RMC Saint-Jean grants bachelor’s degrees. 

• The four pillars of a Canadian military college degree are academics, military (leadership and ethos), fitness, and bilingualism. Students must successfully complete all four pillars to graduate with an RMC/RMC Saint-Jean degree, and to receive their CAF Officer’s Commission Script.

• Both universities offer a vitally important program that is intended to be challenging, both physically and mentally, where emphasis is placed on self-discipline, self-motivation, and strict adherence to CAF Ethos.

• The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, presented 320 graduating students with their bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in her role as Chancellor and President of RMC in Kingston.

• Colonel Gaétan Bédard, Commandant of RMC Saint-Jean, presented 21 Naval and Officer Cadets with their bachelor’s in International Studies in his role as Vice-Chancellor of RMC Saint-Jean.

• General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, and other General Officers and Flag Officers, commissioned nearly 200 new CAF officers during the commissioning parades with the formal presentation of a CAF Commission Script in the name of His Majesty.

Associated links

• RMC on Facebook
• RMC on Twitter
• RMC on Instagram
• RMC on Flickr
• Royal Military College of Canada
• Royal Military College Saint-Jean
• RMC Saint-Jean on Facebook
• RMC Saint-Jean on YouTube
• RMC Saint-Jean on Flickr

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca