Royal Military College places 2nd in international skills competition at West Point, N.Y.
News release
April 27, 2024 – West Point, N.Y. – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
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 Friday and Saturday.
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.
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.
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Quotes
“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. 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.”
- Major-General Denis O’Reilly, Commander Canadian Defence Academy
“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. 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.”
- Brigadier-General Pascal Godbout, Commandant RMC
“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.”
- Colonel Guillaume Tremblay, Commandant RMC Saint-Jean
Quick facts
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This renowned military skills competition was started in 1967 when Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom presented USMA with a British officer's sword to use as the prize for a competition promoting military excellence.
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Contacts
Capt. Jonathan Farlam
Public Affairs Officer
Royal Military College of Canada
613-449-7593
jonathan.farlam@forces.gc.ca
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