Royal Canadian Armoured Corps

The Royal Canadian Armoured Corps (RCAC) is the armoured corps within the Canadian Army, including regular and reserve force regiments.

History
Originally formed as the Canadian Cavalry Corps in 1910, they were then designated as the Canadian Tank Corps during the First World War. The modern Canadian Armoured Corps was created on 13 August 1940 with Major-General (then Colonel) F. F. Worthington as its first colonel-commandant. The Corp was subsequently bestowed the honour of the 'Royal' designation by King George VI in 1945.

Initially its equipment was 219 US M1917 tanks – a First World War design – obtained at scrap prices. They were sufficient for some training and familiarisation, but otherwise of limited combat use. To form the 1st Army Tank Brigade, Valentine tanks were ordered. This British design was to be built in Canada. Aside from the necessary adjustments to the design to incorporate local engineering standards and available components, the Canadian Valentines used a GMC engine. This engine, being an improvement over the original, was later applied to British production. In practice, Canada never used most of the 1,400 Valentines they built as they were supplied under lend-lease to the Soviet Union.

In early 1941 the 1st Tank Brigade was sent to Britain and equipped with the Matilda tank. For the formation of two armoured divisions it was expected that 1,200 cruiser tanks were needed. The United Kingdom was not in a position to supply them, as it had shortfalls in supply for its own needs. This meant that Canada had to develop its own production. To this end a tank arsenal was set up under the management of a subsidiary of a US firm engaged in tank production.

Canadian armour regiments split their heritage between two primary sources. The first being the cavalry, from which many armoured regiments were created, and the second being the infantry. This begain in 1936 with the creation of "infantry (tank)" regiments and continued on from 1940 when many infantry regiments were mobilised as armour units for the Second World War, and were then subsequently transferred from the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps into the Royal Canadian Armour Corps.

In 1968, with the unification of the Canadian Army into the Canadian Armed Forces, the name of the Royal Canadian Armour Corps was changed to simply the Armour Branch. Despite the change however, the Corps continued to use its traditional title. As of April 2013, the traditional designation of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps has been officially restored.

Royal Canadian Armoured Corps School
The Armour School at CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick, sustains and conducts armour advance qualifications, advanced armour leadership qualifications, basic armour officer requirements, and specialized qualifications on behalf of the Army.

Tactics School
The Tactics School at CFB Gagetown develops, conducts and monitors combined arms operations. Within a battle group context, the tactics school focusses on tactics, techniques, and procedures at the combat team level. The Tactics School's mission is to educate and train army junior officers in the integration of combat functions at the combat team level on the tactical battlefield.

Regular Force

 * 1) The Royal Canadian Dragoons — Three armoured reconnaissance squadrons and one armoured squadron.
 * 2) Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) — Two armoured squadrons and one armoured reconnaissance squadron.
 * 3) 12e Régiment blindé du Canada — Three armoured reconnaissance squadrons (with additional members serving with the RCD armoured squadron)

Primary Reserves

 * 1) The Governor General's Horse Guards — household cavalry/armoured reconnaissance
 * 2) The Halifax Rifles (RCAC) — armoured reconnaissance
 * 3) 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's) — armoured reconnaissance
 * 4) The Ontario Regiment (RCAC) — armoured reconnaissance
 * 5) The Queen's York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC) — armoured reconnaissance
 * 6) Sherbrooke Hussars — armoured reconnaissance
 * 7) 12e Régiment blindé du Canada (Milice) - armoured reconnaissance
 * 8) 1st Hussars — armoured reconnaissance
 * 9) The Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC) — armoured reconnaissance
 * 10) The Royal Canadian Hussars (Montreal) — armoured reconnaissance
 * 11) The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) — armoured reconnaissance
 * 12) The South Alberta Light Horse — armoured reconnaissance
 * 13) The Saskatchewan Dragoons — armoured reconnaissance
 * 14) The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC) — armoured reconnaissance
 * 15) The British Columbia Dragoons — armoured reconnaissance
 * 16) The Fort Garry Horse — armoured reconnaissance
 * 17) Le Régiment de Hull (RCAC) — armoured reconnaissance
 * 18) The Windsor Regiment (RCAC) — armoured reconnaissance

Equipment
The main vehicles operated by the RCAC include:
 * Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank
 * Leopard C2 Main Battle Tank
 * LAV III Infantry Fighting Vehicle
 * Coyote Reconnaissance Vehicle Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle
 * TAPV Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle. On order, expected delivery in 2014
 * G-Wagon Light Utility Vehicle (armour kits available to be fitted)

Order of precedence
RCHA on parade without guns: (See note below)

RCHA on parade with guns: (See note below)

Note: The honour of "The Right of the Line" (precedence over other units), on an army parade, is held by the units of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery when on parade with their guns. On dismounted parades, RCHA units take precedence over all other land force units except formed bodies of Officer Cadets of the Royal Military College representing their college. RCA units parade to the left of units of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.