Royal Military College of Canada

The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC (French: Collège militaire royal du Canada), is the military college of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university creating well educated officers. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers. The Royal Military College of Canada Degrees Act, 1959 empowers the college to confer degrees in arts, science, and engineering. Programmes are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels on site through traditional studies and by distance learning through the Division of Continuing Studies.

Located on Point Frederick, a 41 ha peninsula in Kingston, Ontario, the college is a blend of older, historic buildings and modern academic, athletic, and dormitory facilities. Officer cadets are trained in the four pillars of academics, officership, athletics, and bilingualism (French and English).

Mission statement


The Royal Military College of Canada, Canada’s military university, prepares officer-cadets for a career in the profession of arms and continues the development of other Canadian Forces members and civilians with interest in defence issues. RMC provides programs and courses of higher education and professional development to meet the needs of the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence.

RMC is an elite institution with a reputation for producing well-rounded graduates versed in bilingualism, academia, athletics and Canadian history. Those able to gain admission to this institution will belong to a tight-knit community of peers that encourages alumni prosperity and enrichment.

Responsibilities
RMC is responsible to:
 * Provide a university education in both official languages in appropriate disciplines designed on a broad base to meet the unique needs of the Canadian Forces
 * Develop qualities of leadership in officer cadets
 * Develop the ability to communicate in both official languages for officer cadets
 * Develop a high standard of physical fitness
 * Stimulate an awareness of the ethic of the military profession
 * Conduct research activities in support of RMC and to meet the needs of Defence Research Agencies

Priorities
The RMC priorities are:
 * To build high quality, world-class programs in areas of importance to the Canadian Forces and to Canada,
 * To promote national and international collaborations and partnerships, and
 * To promote interdisciplinary co-operation.

Academics
The RMC mission is to educate, train and develop Officer Cadets for leadership careers of effective service in the Canadian Forces- the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army.

For most students under the ROTP (Regular Officer Training Plan), education is free and a monthly salary is paid which meets incidentals. The courses are offered both on site and by distance learning in both official languages: English and French. After graduation, Officers are to give two months of service for each subsidized month of education.

RMC offers 19 undergraduate programs in Arts, Science and Engineering. RMC offers 34 graduate studies opportunities, including 14 doctorates. In addition to the Faculty (university) of Arts, Engineering, and Science, the Division of Continuing Studies offers undergraduate and graduate level programs including the “Officer Professional Military Education Program” (OPME). The Department of Applied Military Science (AMS) offers a graduate level program - the Land Force Technical Staff Programme (LFTSP) and an undergraduate/community college level program - the Army Technical Warrant Officer's Programme.

All undergraduate students are required to complete the core curriculum, which is designed to provide a balanced liberal arts, science, and military education. The Core Curriculum consists of Economics, Psychology, Mathematics, English, Calculus, Military history of Canada, Chemistry, Canadian History, Physics and Civics.

Cadets can choose to specialize in Aeronautical Engineering, Chemical Engineering 1965-1981, 2001-, Chemical and Materials Engineering: 1992-2001, Computer Engineering (hardware or software streams) 1983-, Civil Engineering 1965-, Electrical Engineering 1965- and Mechanical Engineering 1965-. Engineering and Management was offered: 1972-1995. Engineering Physics was offered 1975-1995 and Fuels and Materials Engineering were offered 1982-1991. Engineers provide support to deployed operations and domestic installations. RMC was the first college in Canada to train engineers.

Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Space Science are offered by the Faculty of Science. The Faculty of Science, in conjunction with the Faculty of Arts, also offers three joint honours degrees: Computer Science and Business Administration, Chemistry and Psychology, and Space Science and Military and Strategic Studies. The science programs are relevant to occupations in both the Canadian Forces and the civilian sector.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts gain practical communication and critical thinking skills as well as specialized, hands-on experience in their chosen field. English, French, Economics, Political Science, History, Business Administration, Military theory, Military strategy studies, Military Psychology and Leadership are offered by the Faculty of Arts.

Tuition
Tuition fees (2012–13) at the undergraduate level vary from $2,550 - $ 3,485 for Canadian undergraduate students and $2,600 - $3,150 for Canadian Graduate students. The tuition fees for international students are up to $18,000.

Because of commitments of military service following graduation, education is free for most on-campus undergraduates; these Officer Cadets also receive an additional monthly salary. Funding has been put in place to support civilian students, who are eligible for admission to the master’s and doctoral programs to work alongside graduate students who are members of the Canadian Forces.

Awards
Awards are granted to outstanding cadets:

Awards are granted to outstanding alumni

Centres and institutes
The research at RMCC focusses on areas of direct and indirect benefit to the Department of National Defence; More than 90 percent of the research at RMC is defence-related. RMC conducts both academic and contracted research on electrical and computer engineering, physics, chemistry, chemical engineering and environmental engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, international security, governance and the economics of defence; some research involves the Institute for the Environment as well as nuclear research. Both members of the Canadian Forces and civilian students are eligible for admission to the master’s and doctoral programs; Funding has been put in place to support both military and civilian students.

Rank
RMC refers to its students as "Fourth Year", "Third Year", "Second year", and "First year". Most cadets consider first year to be the most difficult because of the rules and restrictions developed to help students transition from civilian to officer cadet. However, the third year is generally considered to be the hardest academically.

Officer cadets are responsible for the discipline, progress, and efficiency of their wing, squadron or flight and carry out service duties such as duty officer. Within the years, cadets can hold positions of increasing responsibility with a cadet rank that may include:

The Squadron level is differentiated by a square patch while the Divisional level uses a diamond shape patch and the Divisional patches will not have any year indication. On Tuesday August 20, 2013, RMCC introduced new epaulettes for the Divisional level of command within the Cadet Wing: 1st Cdn Div- Red, 2nd Cdn Div-Blue, 3rd Cdn Div- French Grey and 4th Cdn Div-Green. The CDAdOs/CDTOs and CDOpsOs have 2 separate Chain of Command (CoC); the direct going to the CDL and the staff chain going to their wing level supervisors and down their squadron counterparts).

Squadrons of the Cadet Wing
The undergraduate student body, known as the Cadet Wing, is sub-divided into 13 (12 ROTP and 1 UTPNCM) squadrons of approximately 70 college cadets each. Each squadron is subdivided into three flights, with each flight further subdivided into three sections. The squadrons are led by senior cadets under the guidance of the squadron commander.

Note: The dates given are for the current organization of the wing and does not include former squadrons or the same squadrons under different names. For example, 1 Squadron was the first squadron at RMC, meaning 1 squadron has existed since the College's founding in 1876, but has only been known as Hudson Squadron since 1948.

In 2007, a former squadron of the Royal Military Colloge Saint-Jean, Jolliet Squadron, was stood up at RMC as 13 Squadron. The squadron was named in honour of Louis Jolliet, with its first-year flight, Good Flight, named after Herman James Good, a Victoria Cross recipient from the 13th Battalion, CEF. The squadron was stood down in May 2012,.

Admission requirements
To be eligible to enter RMC, candidates must meet the course requirements for one of the undergraduate programs in Kingston, or the preparatory year or first year in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.

In addition, they must meet the Canadian Forces' general admission conditions (officer):
 * Be a Canadian citizen or a Canadian Permanent resident (however, those in this category are only allowed to attend the military college when a proven specific need exists in the forces in which they feel the need to draw from non-Canadian citizens)
 * Be 16 years old on January 1 of the year of enrollment
 * Pass the medical
 * Pass the pre-enrollment tests
 * Pass the enhanced reliability check

The college recruits students who demonstrate promise in the areas which correspond to the four pillars of academics, military, athletics, and bilingualism (French and English). In addition, RMC gives extra weight to those applicants with second-language skills, although this is not a requirement.

The application process, which is independent from that of the Ontario Universities' Application Centre, uses a separate application form. The Selection Board informs applicants no later than mid-May. Applicants are accepted into the Science, Engineering or Arts Program.

Training plans
There are several full-time admission options for an education at RMCC.

ROTP
The Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) is a conditional scholarship offered to selected applicants. In addition to a university education, Officer Cadets receive military training, occupation training and second language training and a career after graduation. The full-time salary includes full dental care, as well as vacation with full pay. Upon successful completion of ROTP, Officer Cadets are awarded a university degree and granted commissions as Officers in the Canadian Forces. Normally, graduates serve at least five years with the Canadian Forces. The application deadline to ROTP is in January for Basic Officer Training in July and admission the following September.

Typically, successful applicants enter the Canadian Military College (CMC) System as an Officer Cadet, where they receive an education that balances academics, leadership, bilingualism and athletics. If the choice of program is not offered, such as Nursing, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy, or the candidate wishes to attend another university, successful applicants would be eligible to apply to any Canadian university where books, lab fees and student fees are covered, and students receive a monthly salary under the Civilian University ROTP.

RETP
The Reserve Entry Training Plan is an education the same as the ROTP but is paid for by the student (not a scholarship). The students also do not draw a salary, however they are not obligated to five years of service after completion. Reserve Entry cadets are, however, paid considerably more than the regular ROTP Officer Cadet salary during their summer training months. They are also entitled to this pay if they attend "Duty/Varsity" away trips (For example, an away game of women's soccer).

Others

 * UTPNCM: University Training Plan - Non Commissioned Members for Non Commissioned members of the Canadian Forces to earn a degree and then serve as officers.
 * IBDP: Initial Baccalaureate Degree Program, a Baccalaureate program.
 * DCS: Division of Continuing Studies, also available part-time

Selection process
Since an application to ROTP is also an application to the Canadian Military College System, all candidates are assessed against an aptitude test, a medical examination, and an interview.

Military Potential is an assessment of Aptitudes, Personality Traits, and the choice of occupation. Academic Performance is rated based on a student's transcript. Unlike many universities, since a complete transcript is submitted to the selection board, grade 9-11 marks are heavily weighted in a student's application with consideration given to grade 12 (or the final year's) marks. Officer Cadets are obliged to maintain satisfactory academic and military performance throughout the programme.

Continuing studies
RMC started a graduate studies program in 1965. The Division of Continuing Studies was established in 1997.

The mandate of the RMC Division of Continuing Studies is to make university education available to all members of the Canadian Forces, spouses and DND civilian employees. Canadian Forces and other professional training is recognized for credit towards undergraduate or advanced degrees.

Unique degree programs, specially tailored for CF members, include:
 * Bachelor of Military Arts & Sciences,
 * Master of Business Administration,
 * Master of Defence Management and Policy, and
 * Master of Arts and PhD in War Studies.

Writer in Residence
The Royal Military College of Canada launched its writer in residence program in January 2010 with Steven Heighton, a novelist and poet as the first to hold the post. The third person to hold the position of writer-in-residence, Dr. Julie Salverson presented “Drama, Imagination, and RMC” on 3 April 2012 in Currie Hall. Dr. Julie Salverson, who has presented drama workshops to cadets since the early 1990s, helped facilitate a play about RMC, “Shakespeare in Scarlets” in 2012.

Reputation
The RMC was named 2nd best Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category by Research Infosource Inc., which produced Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List in the year 2009. Half of the points were awarded based on financial indicators and the other half was based on research output and impact measures. RMC ranked 25th in the overall rankings.

Research and partnerships
In the Engineering and Science divisions, RMC pursues the following principal areas of research:
 * information technology, communications, microelectronics,
 * environment,
 * energy and energy development,
 * Advanced materials engineering,
 * geotechnical engineering, and
 * fluid mechanics and engineering.


 * The RMC Green Team provides internal consultants on environmental issues:
 * water,
 * wastewater, and stormwater management,
 * composting,
 * renewable energy and
 * energy reduction.

In the Social Sciences and Humanities divisions, RMC pursues research and activities in:
 * military history,
 * political science and international security,
 * peacekeeping and peacemaking,
 * comparative government, international relations and ethical code of conduct in conflict,
 * leadership, and
 * economics.


 * The RMC Centre for Security, Armed Forces and Society (CSAS-CESFAS) provides a focus for research conducted within the Faculty of Arts and facilitates communication between the Department of National Defence, other research institutions, scholars and Canadian civil society.

In the Department of Applied Military Science (AMS), RMC pursues:
 * the Land Force Technical Staff Programme (captains & majors);
 * the Technical Warrant Officer Programme (warrant officers & master warrant officers).

The Diploma in Military Arts and Sciences (DMASc) provides non-commissioned members (NCMs) of the Canadian Forces an online program made possible by a partnership between OntarioLearn, the RMC, and the Canadian Defence Academy. Under RMC and community college articulation agreements, all graduates of this diploma program who apply to the RMC will be admitted into the Bachelor of Military Arts and Sciences degree program with advanced standing.

Military training
As an RMC cadet, military training begins with a three-week military introduction held at RMC in the summer prior to first year. Phase I of training continues the following summer with the Basic Military Officer Qualification (BMOQ) at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School Saint-Jean. The cadets will complete between 8 and 11 weeks of training in that one summer if they are credited their 4 weeks of recruit camp. After the completion of BMOQ, those cadets who are not yet bilingual are usually enrolled in a seven-week period of Second Language Training (SLT) at Canadian Forces Language School Detachment Saint-Jean. The remaining summers are spent completing Phase II, which are environmental training courses (depending on whether the cadet is Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy or Royal Canadian Air Force).

On the job training courses are also available to a number of cadets during the summer periods. During Phases III and IV, students take trade specific training courses.

For the most part, military training occurs at locations other than RMC while the college itself focuses on military education.

First Year Orientation Period
First Year Orientation Period, (FYOP) is the most demanding experience for many cadets. FYOP takes place during the first month of the academic year following recruit camp. Recruit camp is a 2 week period of military training prior to entering the college done by all ROTP cadets. FYOP is like Frosh week at civilian universities, except it lasts five weeks and has the first year cadet under consderably more stress. FYOP begins with the Arch parade where the entire First Year class is marched onto College grounds by their FYOP staff consisting of Third and Fourth Years.

During the course of FYOP, First Year cadets are required to keep an exceptionally high standard of dress and deportment. They are required to march at all times. Physical Training is conducted, with long runs up neighbouring Fort Henry, Ontario hill a frequent occurrence. Inspections of room standards and dress are conducted daily. For the duration of FYOP, First Years are not permitted to leave RMC or receive visitors. Mail and phone calls are allowed but are limited.

The culmination of the FYOP is the obstacle course. The obstacle course lasts over 2 hours and consists of thirteen obstacles built by each squadron located around the college grounds. Obstacles such as a 12-foot wall and rope bridge are designed to test teamwork and physical fitness of First Years. The First Year flights are judged on the time it takes to complete each obstacle. The completion of the obstacle course signals the end of FYOP. Afterwards, First Years are given a parade where they are officially welcomed into RMC and join the Cadet Wing. Cadets are then allowed to see their friends and relatives after 7 weeks, and allowed the freedom to leave college grounds under the condition that they wear their College uniform. When leaving the college grounds, the college uniform worn by the First Years is the number 4s. This form of dress consists of dark blue pants with a red stripe down the side and a dark blue tunic. Badges can be put on both arms once earned. The year is also represented on the lower arms by red string. However, First Years have zero red string until their second year.

Second year cadets, in RMC's mentorship program, are paired with first year cadets to mentor, guide, and influence them.

Many of the aspects of the FYOP, including the obstacle course and mentorship program, were developed by the post-war Chesley committee, led by Brigadier Leonard McEwan Chelsey, O.B.E., E.D. The committee made recommendations about the education and training of officer candidates for the postwar active force. In addition, the committee made recommendations about the provision of French speaking officers and arrangements for promotion from the ranks.

Law
The Military Law Centre on the grounds of RMC, staffed with 12 military lawyers, oversees the education of officers and troops in legal matters ranging from the Forces' own code of conduct to the laws of war. It trains military lawyers and advises Ottawa on matters of policy and doctrine. The centre integrates legal education into the regular training that Forces members undergo and establishes its growing importance within the military hierarchy. Selected RMC Canada cadets participate in Law of Armed Conflict international Competitions each fall with cadets from USAFA, USMA, USNA, and USCGA. Each year, RMC cadets are selected to participate in a competition on the Law of Armed Conflict at the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in Sanremo, Italy.

Athletics


One of the four components of the Royal Military College of Canada, the Athletic component provides opportunities for officer cadets to participate in physical activities and sports that are mentally demanding to develop their physical capabilities, confidence and leadership. Physical education is meant “to establish a strong foundation of skills and knowledge in physical fitness, sports, and military-related activities through a progressive and diverse physical education program for RMC Officer Cadets” The Vision is “foster a passion for active living and leadership in physical activity.” To enhance their physical fitness and develop military and athletic skills necessary to lead their troops, Cadets must take physical education classes and play intramural sports every year - for a minimum of four hours per week.

The first year program focuses on personal physical fitness: theory of exercise physiology, nutrition, training principles and injury prevention. The cadets complete the Basic Military Swim Standard test. The second year program focuses on team sports: soccer, broomball, spinning, volleyball, basketball, squash, badminton, flag-football, handball, water polo and softball. Cadets acquire basic skills to organize a sport tournament. The third year program focuses on military skills: unarmed combat, different obstacle courses, waterborne training and military rappelling. The fourth year program focused on individual sports: canoeing, rock climbing, weight training, swimming and life guarding, advanced unarmed combat, pressure points control tactics and spinning leadership.


 * The RMC 2012-13 varsity sports are: fencing, hockey, rugby, soccer, and volleyball.
 * The RMC 2011-12 intramural leagues are: ball hockey(2010 Champions: 11 SQN), basketball, dodgeball, handball, ice hockey, soccer, ultimate frisbee, and waterpolo.
 * The RMC 2012-13 competitive clubs are: running, Rowing, Sailing, Swimming, Women’s Rugby, and Taekwondo.
 * The RMC 2012-13 clubs are: Astronomy, broomball, Climbing, Chess, Curling, Debating, Judo, Expedition, Motorcycle, Paintball, Power flying, Scuba diving, Skydiving, Stage Band, Theatre, Triathlon, War Games, Water polo, Windsurfing, and the Yacht Club.

Each year, the ice hockey team faces the United States Military Academy (Army) Black Knights in the annual West Point Weekend hockey game. This series, conceived in 1923, is the longest-running annual international sporting event in the world.

Royal Military College of Canada Bands
The Massed Band, consisting of the Brass and Reed, Pipes and Drums, and Highland Dancers, perform at parades, public relation trips and recruit shows. The Brass and Reed Band is a multi-purpose section, used primarily as a parade march and concert band. The Pipe Section and the Drum Section perform at mess dinners; parades; sporting events; ceremonies (official or squadron); weddings; funerals; public relations; wing events; Christmas Ball (RMC) & Graduation Balls; private events; and holidays. The Highland Dance Section perform at many of the same functions with the exception of parades and funerals. The Choir performs the Canadian national anthem; sings at mess dinners; and accompanies the Stage Band on selected pieces including: folk, jazz, traditional music, French music, show tunes, African music and Christmas songs. The Stage Band is versatile, performing dinner music followed by marches at college mess dinners. The Cheer Band, a subsidiary of the Brass and Reed, performs music for RMC sporting events, such as the Carr-Harris Cup and the Westpoint Weekend.

The RMC cheer is:
 * "Call: Gimme a beer!

Response:
 * Beer! Esses! Emma! T-D-V!
 * Who can stop old RMC!
 * Shrapnel, Cordite, NCT!
 * R-M-C HUA!"

Campus
RMC is located on Point Frederick (Kingston, Ontario), a small peninsula at the point where the St. Lawrence River leaves Lake Ontario and where the Rideau Canal system starts. The location has been an active military base since 1789 and the Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard, located on the site, was an important dockyard during the War of 1812.

Point Frederick includes two sites with National Historic Site of Canada designations: the Royal Navy Dockyard and the Point Frederick Buildings

RMC, the first officer training college in Canada, opened in 1876 with 18 cadets receiving military and academic instruction. It was granted university status in 1959. The Stone Frigate, a large stone building completed in 1820 by Sir Robert Barrie, was designed to hold gear and rigging from British warships dismantled in compliance with the Rush-Bagot Agreement. It served as a barracks briefly in 1837-38, and was refitted as a dormitory and classrooms to house RMC by 1876.

During the Great Depression in Canada of the 1930s, an unemployment relief camp on Barriefield lower common was set up under the command of the RMC Commandant. Public works projects relied on the labour of the 'Royal Twenty Centers' supplied by the under the Unemployment Relief Commission. The public works projects included rebuilding the dry stone wall and moat of Fort Frederick; the physics building extension, the connection from the Fort Frederick dormitory to the new Yeo mess building, the new wing of the hospital, a new garage, road work, levelling the grounds at RMC for new football fields and a new running track. The cornerstone of Yeo Hall was laid in 1934 by the Earl of Bessborough, HE The Gov Gen. Yeo Hall was opened in 1936.

The Officers' Mess was moved in 1960 to the Senior Staff Mess at which point 'Bill & Alfie's' became a recreational space for Senior Cadets. There were renovations to Fort LaSalle dormitory and Yeo Hall between 1993–1995 to accommodate the closure of the other two colleges. In 1997, there were additions to the Dining Room, and an extension for the kitchen and servery above which is the Cadet Mess at Yeo Hall.

Honorary degrees
The nominations for honorary degrees by the Royal Military Colleges can be initiated by different organizations or individuals, including the Royal Military Colleges Club of Canada through any member of the college senate. As with most of Canadian universities, the senate, which in the case of RMC is composed of the Chancellor (Minister of National Defence), the Vice Chancellor (The RMCC Commandant), Principal, Deans, DCadet, Registrar and the Directeur des Etudes du Royal Military College Saint-Jean, makes the final decision. The Royal Military Colleges Club of Canada (RMCCC) has no responsibility or authority in the process of granting honorary degrees.

Cadets Move To the Ranks
Officer Cadets can relinquish their status as Officer Cadets, leave the college behind, and receive the epaulets of their new ranks as non commissioned members from the commandant in a ceremony held in Mackenzie Building’s memorial staircase.

Uniforms


Cadets wear a variety of uniforms depending on the occasion and their environment: ceremonial dress (semi ceremonial); full dress (formal occasions); outside sports dress; service dress Air Force; service dress Navy; service dress Navy without jacket; Service dress Air Force without jacket; service dress Army without jacket; and combat dress. In winter 2009, Royal Military College officer cadets returned to wearing a distinctive Dress of the Day (DOD) uniform which consists of a white shirt, black sweater/light jacket, as well as black trousers/skirt with a red stripe down the side. The headdress is a black wedge with red piping. Mess dress is worn in the Senior Staff Mess for formal occasions such as mess dinners.

Student life

 * The RMC Cadet Mess in Yeo Hall has facilities for social and recreational activities. Staff and faculty have access to the Senior Staff Mess.
 * Both Royal Military College of Canada chapels serving Roman Catholic, Protestant and Moslem communities are located in Yeo Hall.
 * The Baronial Hall or Currie Hall, which was designed in 1922 by Percy Erskine Nobbs to honour the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I play a prominent role in the life of the University. During special events, invited speakers and dignitaries may address the University population or general public from the Great Hall. Many conferences held in Kingston, Ontario may book the halls for lectures or presentations.
 * The CANEX is a small retail store in Yeo Hall for personal articles, souvenirs, snacks and dry cleaning.
 * Bill & Alphie's, the on-campus cadet mess in Yeo Hall, is named after Bruce Bairnsfather's Great War cartoon characters. Old Bill & little Alphie, stone carvings based on two World War I cartoon characters by Bruce Bairnsfather, appear at the entrance to RMC's Yeo Hall.
 * The campus is on the shore of Lake Ontario and has easy access to two lake-front parks, favourite locations for students to relax. The campus is also located approximately 10 minutes' walk from the city's downtown.
 * Cadets are obligated to perform community service. Every year there is a mandatory class project. The first year class project has cadets conduct an event for the "underprivileged" youth of the city. The second year class project has cadets conduct a food drive for the city's food bank. The third year class project has cadets perform upkeep on the city's many parks. The fourth year class project has the class project leader raise money for a charity through the conduct of a fundraiser which usually takes the form of a baseball tournament.
 * The student clubs and organizations associated with the RMC include: Arts, Astronomy, Broomball, Cheerleading, Chess, Climbing, Cycling, Debating, drama, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Expedition, Fish & Game, Flying, golf, Judo, Juggling, Outdoors, Paintball, Photo, rowing, Social Dance, Stage Band, Triathlon/Running, Video Editing, War Games, Water Polo, Windsurfing, Women's Rugby and Yachting.
 * The RMC Drama Club performed a tongue-in-cheek look at the college fraternization policy “Shakespeare in Scarlets,” at Currie Hall in March 2012 with cadets serving as actors, writers, director, and tech crew.
 * The first ever official RMC Chess Championship took place in RMC on April 12, 2013. Organized by Major Regis Bellemare, the head of the Canadian Forces Chess Team, the tournament was won by OCdt Omar (Student Number 25811). The tournament was a round-robin tournament. Due to the success of this tournament, more RMC Chess tournaments are planned for the future. The RMC Chess Club is also one of the most well-equipped clubs in RMC. The club owns a vast number of Chess boards, pieces, and numerous books written by prolific chess players such as Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, and Raymond Keene. The RMC Chess Club members regularly participate in various chess competitions throughout Canada.

Alumni giving
The Royal Military Colleges Club of Canada Foundation is a registered Canadian charity which was incorporated in 1966. As an element of the Canadian Forces, the college is unable to fund a conventional full-time fundraising team in a development office. The foundation, consequently, works at arms length to assist the college financially. Capital Campaigns have included the 2364 Leonard Birchall Pavilion (2007); Memorial Arch Restoration (2001) and the New Library Campaign (2013).

Media

 * RMC cadets produce the campus newspaper, the Precision. The alumni association produces Veritas and e-Veritas.

Summer programs
The facilities are used during the summer for:
 * HMCS Ontario, a Royal Canadian Sea Cadets Summer Training Centre
 * "Can you dig it?" a week long archaeology summer camp.
 * Conferences and sporting events
 * Summer athletic and fencing camps at RMC include: RMC Soccer Camp "Kingston Kicks"; RMC Fencing High Performance Training Camp; RMC Super Summer Sports Camp; RMC Pirate Camp; RMC Volleyball Camp.

Features and buildings
The property includes elements of several National Historic Sites of Canada Point Frederick Buildings NHSC, Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard NHSC, the Fort Frederick (Kingston, Ontario) component of Kingston Fortifications NHSC; Rideau Canal; and part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings lists five classified Federal Heritage Buildings and twenty-three recognized Federal Heritage Buildings on the Royal Military College of Canada grounds:

The Chief Dominion Architect(s) designed a number of public buildings at the College: Thomas Seaton Scott (1872-1881); Thomas Fuller (architect) (1881-1896); David Ewart (1896-1914); Edgar Lewis Horwood (1914-1917); Richard Cotsman Wright (1918-1927); Thomas W. Fuller (1927-1936), Charles D. Sutherland (1936-1947) and Joseph Charles Gustave Brault (1947-1952). Thomas Seaton Scott and Thomas Fuller adopted the Neo-Gothic style. David Ewart embraced the Baronial style. Richard Cotsman Wright (1918-1927) adopted the Collegiate Gothic style.

Libraries
The Royal Military College of Canada Libraries is a member of the Ontario Council of University Libraries and is a contributor to Open Content Alliance.

The Massey Library collection consists of approximately 250,000 books, 1,800 audio-visual items and 1,200 periodicals in English and French. The library possesses RMC historical material including cadet photographs, scrapbooks, collections, diaries, and letters. The major collections follow:

Dormitories
RMC has five dormitories, which are similar to most universities and provide the basic necessities. Organized by squadron, dormitories are co-educational with separate washrooms for men and women. Officer Cadets share a room in first year, and sometimes in succeeding years depending on availability of space, if possible with someone who is proficient in the other official language.

The oldest, the Stone Frigate was built in 1819–1820 and is a Canadian Heritage Site. The Stone Frigate, known within the college as "The Boat" houses 1 Squadron who in turn call themselves the Stone Frigate Military Academy. The next building built Fort Lasalle holds 2, 3, 4 and 13 squadron while the third building, Fort Haldimand hosts 11 and 12 Squadron. Fort Sauve (1960) houses 5, 6, 7 and 8 Squardons and the newest dormitory, Fort Brant (2011) aka "The Greenhouse" houses 9 and 10 squadron. Fort Brant was called such due the overheating problems experienced by the massive glass facade which by facing south traps a large amount of solar heat which is then circulated throughout the building.

Memorials and traditions
e.g. Triumphal arch; Trophies, Commemorative and Memorial Trees, Monuments, Plaques, and Others. This includes a list of RMC Traditions and RMC Militaria & Collectibles In honour of Remembrance Day, 2012 students in Dr Erika Behrisch Elce’s first-year English for science and engineering students wrote a sonnet on behalf of one of those connected with Royal Military College of Canada who died doing his or her duty. A printed collection will also soon be available through the College Library for general distribution.

Environmental assessments
Having three national historical designations, environmental assessments (which also involve archaeological studies) are required before construction activities are implemented on the college grounds. While planning to build a new dormitory at RMC, a required environmental assessment revealed the remains of a naval dockyard. This dockyard was significant in the building of ships by the British during the War of 1812. Because of the site's significance, a full archaeological dig had to be implemented before construction of the new dormitory could begin.

History
Long before the Royal Military College was established in 1876, there were proposals for military colleges in Canada. Although the Assembly of Lower Canada decided to establish a military college in 1815, agreement upon its organization was blocked by religious and racial conflicts. Captain A.G. Douglas, a former adjutant at the British military college at Great Marlow, recommended in 1816 the establishment of a military college open to Catholic and Protestant boys at Three Rivers in a disused government house with himself as superintendent. Douglas' college was intended as a boarding school to educate the young sons of officers, amongst others, in Latin, English language, French Language, History, Geography, Drawing and Mathematics. In 1826, retired British navy and army officers who had settled in March township, near Ottawa, Ontario proposed a military college boarding school for boys on the Great Lakes on naval and military lines.

During the US Civil War, military schools staffed by British Regulars were established for adult male students to undergo a 3 month long military course in Toronto, Ontario and Quebec, Quebec in 1864, and at Montreal, Quebec Kingston, Ontario London, Ontario and Hamilton, Ontario in 1865. Although the military colleges in London and Hamilton had disbanded in 1865, the schools at Quebec, Montreal, Kingston and Toronto were retained at Confederation, in 1867. In 1868, schools of Calvalry and Artillery were formed in Toronto and a school of artillery was formed in Montreal. Since these were not Boarding schools, students lived in the communities.

At a pre-Confederation of Canada military school in Halifax, Nova Scotia, adult male students drilled and attended lectures on drill commands, military records, court-martial, the Articles of War, discipline and punishments, promotion of non commissioned officers, military accounts and pay and messing. After Confederation, military schools were opened in Halifax and Saint John.

In 1870–1, Canadian militia staff replaced the British regulars who were recalled from overseas station. From December to May, six schools conducted officer training for calvalry, infantry and artillery. The British Garrisons operated the schools at Halifax, Saint John, New Brunswick and Quebec. Canadian militia staff and former British army drill sergeants operated the schools at Montreal, Kingston and Toronto.

The first full-time units of the Canadian militia, A and B Batteries at Kingston and Quebec, organized gunnery schools on a year round basis in which artillery courses lasted from 3–12 months with the possibility of extension. Colonel P Robertson-Ross, adjutant general of the militia (1870–3) recommended the schools be organized as tactical brigades of three arms and that infantry and calvalry schools should also be put on a permanent basis. The Canadian government did not accept his advice.

A plaque located at the college describes the college's history: "Following the withdrawal of British forces from Canada in 1870-71, the federal government recognized the need for an officer training college in Canada. In 1874, during the administration of the Hon. Alexander Mackenzie, enabling legislation was passed. Located on Point Frederick, the site of the former Royal Naval Dockyard, the new college opened on June 1, 1876, with 18 cadets under Lt.-Col. Edward O. Hewett, R.E. Named the Royal Military College of Canada in 1878, it offered academic and military training courses designed to prepare cadets for both military and civil careers. The college was reorganized in 1948 as a tri-service institution and, in 1959, it became the first military college in the British Commonwealth to achieve degree-granting status."

The Royal Military College of Canada "was the first military college to be established in a colonial dependency and it had a double function, the preparation of cadets for civilian careers as well as for military commissions." Richard A Preston, Canada's RMC. The Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard was a Royal Navy yard from 1788 to 1853 at the site of the current Royal Military College of Canada.

The first college Commandant, Lieut. Colonel Hewett, made the first public announcement of the college motto and ‘device’ (badge) during a prize presentation held at the Kingston Military College on 11 February 1878. “I now have to tell you Gentlemen Cadets, that a device and motto has been selected for the Military College. The device, a mailed arm bearing a maple leaf; symbolical of the position you, as the future officers of Canada, should hold towards your country as represented by the maple leaf. The motto, “Truth, Duty, and Valour,”- three simple words in plain English -that all who run may read."

These words by Professor Robert Carr Harris, RMC's first Professor of Engineering, were recalled when his son No. 1118 Major G. G. M. Carr-Harris unveiled a plaque in the entrance to the Currie Building in 1964 to the memory of his father "Engineering, leads a man among actions, thoughts, and associations which are useful and honourable, and a life so spent will leave its mark upon anyone's character." The Harris memorial plaque is alongside one commemorating the first Commandant Major Edward Osborne Hewett who chose the college motto, "Truth, Duty, Valour". The Hewett plaque is alongside one commemorating the first Staff Adjutant Major Raymond N.R. Reade, a British officer sent to the RMC from London in 1901, who authorized construction of a gymnasium, a hospital, an electrical plant, and a permanent accommodation for the staff-adjutant and his family.

The Royal Military College in fiction and popular culture
The Royal Military College's central place in Canadian military circles has made it the setting for novels, plays, films and other cultural works:
 * In Jetstream, a 2007 television series airing on Discovery Canada about pilots training to fly the CF-18 Hornet in the Canadian Forces, seven of the eight pilots are graduates of the RMC.
 * Timothy Findley’s fictional character Robert Ross in his World War I novel ‘the Wars’ (Penguin Canada 2005) studied military law and trajectory mathematics at the Royal Military College of Canada. His novel won the Governor General's Award for fiction and was adapted into a play. In 1985, Timothy Findlay was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.
 * 1982 John-James Ford's protagonist in his coming-of-age novel Bonk on the Head studied at the Royal Military College of Canada. The novel won the 2006 Ottawa Book Award in the English fiction category.
 * Oscar Telgmann and George Cameron's "Leo the Royal Cadet" is an opera written in 1889 in which Leo leaves his sweetheart Nellie to serve in the Anglo-Zulu War. Songs about cadet life include 'The Bulldogs', and 'The Royal Cadet'
 * "Till we meet again", is a musical set in Montreal, Quebec during World War II. Each act features an interview with an ex Royal Military College of Canada cadet who is a Canadian army officer: after Dunkirk, after Dieppe and after Juno Beach.
 * Sara Jeanette Duncan's "Cousin Cinderella: A Canadian Girl in London" by Macmillan in New York and Methuen in London (1908) features Graham, a Royal Military College of Canada graduate, and his sister Mary Trent. Graham and Mary's father, Senator Trent has earned a fortune in the family lumber business. After serving in South Africa and entering the family lumber business Graham Trent travels with his sister Mary from Minnebiac, a fictional small town in Ontario to England. There, Graham Trent becomes engaged to Barbara Pavisay, a member of a proud old English family whose line extends back to the Tudors. When Barbara Pavisay breaks off the engagement to Graham, his sister Mary becomes engaged to Barbara's brother Lord Pavisay. It is assumed that Graham Trent will return to Canada, continue in the family business and be elected to Parliament. Sara Jeanette Duncan's "A Voyage of Consolation" is a sequel to "Cousin Cinderella: A Canadian Girl in London."
 * Dr. David Clark's Canadian Army Trilogy, The Ridge (1994), Lamone (2001) and Lucifer's Gate 2002 outlines the stories of two generations of the Warwick family and the Canadian Army in World War I. In Lucifer's Gate, Captain James Niles, a Royal Military College graduate, is posted temporarily to a recruit training battalion. He is a professional officer, all spit and polish, everything by the King's Regulations. After ordering the crowd to disperse, Niles accepts thanks from German proprietors of a tailor shop, Hans and Analise Holzhauer and falls for their daughter, Rosamund. The lovely Rosamund is unfortunately, an unsuitable match since they are worlds apart in social position. Niles, who is practically engaged to the Colonel's daughter Roselyn, comes to realize while serving under General Arthur Currie in France, that Roselyn never has a serious thought, caring only about tennis and garden parties.