Undergraduate Calendar 2011-2012

General Information

Military Structure of the College

General

All officer cadets who enter the Royal Military College of Canada are enrolled either in the Regular Force (under the ROTP or the UTPNCM) or in the Reserve Component (under the RETP).

All officer cadets enrolled in the Canadian Forces are consequently subject to a code of service discipline. Their life is regulated through orders and instructions which they follow and apply intelligently. Each cadet has access to a copy of the instructions which outline the policy and the procedures governing Cadet Wing activities.

Cadet Wing

The Director of Cadets (DCdts) is the Commanding Officer of the Cadet Wing and is responsible to the Commandant for the overall conduct, supervision, discipline, and performance of the Cadet Wing. This responsibility is discharged by the various officers and senior non-commissioned officers of the Cadet Wing and civilian staff. The Division Commanders and Squadron Commanders of the Cadet Wing advise, guide, counsel, and evaluate cadets. The Cadet Wing staff are responsible for military training programs for all officer cadets including physical fitness, drill, and officer development. They are available to answer cadet inquiries and give advice on military matters.

Cadet Organization

The cadets are organized into a Cadet Wing composed of a headquarters and a number of divisions and squadrons, which in turn are subdivided into flights and sections. A separate squadron is comprised solely of students enrolled under the University Training Plan -Non- commissioned Members (UTPNCM). Under the guidance of commissioned officers (the Squadron Commanders) and civilian staff (athletics), this organization controls cadet life at the College within limits laid down by the Commandant.

Senior officer cadets of Third and Fourth year hold the majority of staff and command appointments in the Cadet Wing and receive practical training in leadership by being responsible for the discipline, progress, and efficiency of their squadron, flight or section. Cadets also organize and run an intramural sports program and carry out typical service duties such as Block Duty Cadet (BDC) and Cadet Duty Officer (CDO).

Every committee at the College handling cadet affairs has strong cadet representation. This gives the representatives insight into the problems of organizing and administering sports and entertainment, including the budgeting of funds.

Cadet Life at RMCC

The life of an officer cadet during the vigorous years at the College is dominated by a program made up of four interlocking components of achievement: academics, military, athletic and bilingualism.

Academics, the most demanding part of this program, are discussed further on in the calendar.

Cadet Military Training

The College is fully residential, the cadets (other than UTPNCM) live together in a military environment. Cadets are responsible for the administration of many of the activities in their life at RMCC. This situation gives all cadets the chance to observe the leadership of others and helps them to learn this art by accepting such responsibilities themselves.

All cadets are required to take part in a demanding routine designed to raise them to a sound standard in physical fitness, drill, and deportment and to develop in them a ready sense of duty, self-discipline, self-confidence and integrity. They are also required to meet the demands for cooperation and teamwork with their fellow cadets.

The officer cadets play an important part in this training and are learning much by the experience. Although physically and mentally demanding, this training does not involve personal indignity, illegal punishment, harassment, or "hazing" in any form.

Each cadet entering the college, with the exception of UTPNCM, must pass a number of milestones before being accepted as a full-fledged member of the Cadet Wing. The most significant one, the obstacle course, which is normally run at the end of First Year Orientation Period (FYOP), is designed to prove to the First Year cadet that obstacles which seem insurmountable may, in fact, be overcome through cooperation with others, combined with high level of fitness, individual stamina and determination.

Drill

The Royal Military College of Canada is renowned for the quality and diversity of its ceremonial drill. Reaching this high standard is 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 to verify that the standard has been maintained. At many times during the year, the Royal Military College of Canada is called upon to provide formations of cadets for ceremonial occasions. Time is found to prepare for these tasks usually during the after duty hours.

Daily Routine

Once classes start, the typical daily routine is as follows:

Notes:

1. 06:00 is the earliest time that Cadets may be awakened for organized activities.
2. On Monday, Thursday and Friday there are to be no Squadron activities. The sole activity on these days is band. Non-band members may arise at their discretion in time for 07:30 muster parade.
3. If Squadron Commanders plan to do Physical (PT), then they must allow for ablutions and breakfast.
4. Academic tutorials have priority on this evening. No varsity practices or players will attempt to adjust academic schedules or attendance on this evening for the benefit of varsity requirements.
5. Late varsity practice (1845-2045) for volleyball and basketball teams only.
6. This third time period only applies to the winter Term.

Leave

Weekend leave and evening passes to which an ROTP/RETP officer cadet is entitled may be restricted depending on performance and the demands of training and other duties. New first year officer cadets normally are not permitted leave until Thanksgiving Weekend in October.

Christmas leave for periods of up to three weeks is granted each year.

Varsity Sports

The College is a member of the Ontario Universities Athletic (OUA), one of the four regional associations that make up the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS). RMCC currently competes in the following OUA sports:

• basketball (men and women),
• fencing (men and women),
• hockey (men),
• running team (men and women),
• rugby (men),
• soccer (men and women),
• taekwondo (men and women), and
• volleyball (men and women).

These teams also take part in a number of tournaments, as well as the traditional international exchange with West Point (United States Military Academy). RMCC also has a varsity level team in Tae Kwon Do.

Royal Military College Band

The Royal Military College Band provides a recreational outlet for cadets with musical interests. The Band performs at parades at the College and at Environment Mess Dinners. The Band also participates in a wide range of events such as the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Parade, International Highland Games, the local Celtic festival, high school tours, military tattoos, the Spring Concert in Scarlet and numerous other local parades and concerts. The RMCC Band is composed of five sections: the Pipes, the Drums, the Brass and Reed, the Highland Dancers and the Choir.

Pipes and Drums section

The Pipes and Drums section is comprised of about 35 pipers and 35 drummers. Basic instruction on bagpipes and drums is provided by two professional Canadian Forces musicians.

Brass and Reed section

The Brass and Reed Band has a membership of about 50 musicians. Instruments are supplied and include flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, french horn, euphonium, tuba keyboard and percussion. Rehearsals are directed by a professional Canadian Forces musician.

Highland Dancers

The Highland Dance section performs with the Pipes and Drums at Mess Dinners, high school tours and other College functions. Previous experience, although welcome, is not necessary, as novice instruction is available. There are approximately 20 dancers in the section.

Choir

The RMCC Choir also performs at Mess Dinners and other College functions including the famous Concert in Scarlet. There are about 40 members in the section

Residence

Single rooms are normally provided for Fourth Year officer cadets. Other senior cadets are allocated single rooms on a space available basis. In the First Year, officer cadets are placed in doubled rooms. All residences are co-educational. On-campus dining is provided. Full recreational facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, are available in close proximity to the residences. Cadets of the UTPNCM program do not live in residence. Cadets who are married or have common law status may be authorized by their chain of command to live out. Other cadets who want to rent civilian accomodation must ask permission to live out.

RMCC Cadet Mess

The RMCC Cadet Mess provides facilities for the training of the Cadet Wing in the customs and practices of a Service Mess, and has facilities for social and recreational activities which are an integral part of College life.

The general administration is carried out by a Cadet Mess Committee with cadet representation from all years assisted by a staff advisor from the Cadet Wing. The Mess is conducted in the form of a Service Officers Mess with cadets filling the responsible positions. The RMCC Cadet Mess has its own constitution and by-laws where the responsibilities and privileges of its cadet members are explained.

Recreation Clubs

Note: Subject to change depending on interest.

Arts, astronomy, broomball, cheer leading, climbing, cycling, debating,  drama, fish & game, flying, golf, judo, juggling, outdoors, paintball, photography,  rowing,   social dance, stage band,  video editing, war games, water polo, windsurfing, woman's rugby and yachting.

Chaplain Services

The Chaplains - Protestant and Roman Catholic - conduct regular Sunday Services of Divine Worship. Officer Cadets and other College personnel and their families are invited to attend all regularly scheduled activities.

Officer Cadets will find during Bible Study groups, padre's hours and at other occasions, opportunities for valuable interchange with the Chaplains and each other on ethical, moral and religious issues. The Chaplains are always available for individual counseling.

Chaplain (Protestant) - Major P. Lublink

Chaplain (Roman Catholic) - Major J.R.D. Bujold

Canex

The CANEX is a small store for personal articles, souvenirs, snacks and dry cleaning.