Foundation ReportSpring 2014

CADETS ABROAD

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The Royal Military Colleges Club of Canada Foundation Inc.

Our MissionThe mission of the RMC Foundation is to secure and deliver the funds

necessary to Enhance Excellence in the attraction, education and training of

the students of the Royal Military Colleges.

In Enhancing Excellence it will be our goal to ensure that no opportunity

is missed, through lack of funding, to broaden the academic, athletic,

leadership and bilingual prowess of the students of the Royal Military

Colleges as they prepare to become the future leaders of Canada.

We all believe that the graduates of RMC should be the best they can

possibly be! We seek to fund Opportunities to Enhance Excellence that are

outside of the College curriculum and training programs and hence may not

be funded through Government budgets.

Foundation Facts• Since being formed in 1966 the Foundation has received over $18 million

in support for the Colleges from over 7,400 donors.

• All members of the RMC Club are automatically members of the

Foundation; about 80% of donors are RMC Club members.

• Foundation revenues currently average about $2 million per annum.

• The Foundation has approximately $10 million in financial assets of which

$8.5 million is held in an investment portfolio and $2 million represents

research grants held in trust for RMCC.

• Over the past 10 years the Foundation has provided over $5 million in

direct financial and other support to the Colleges.

• During 2013 the Foundation processed over 2,000 individual donations

from 587 donors, ranging in amounts from $2 to over $100 thousand and

totalling over $900 thousand.

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Message From RMCC Commandant & Message From RMC Saint-Jean Commandant

RMCC Baja Team & Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers Systems Conference

Summer On-Job-Experience at the International Space University & The Student Conference on United States Affairs

RMC Saint-Jean Paris-London Study Trip & 2013 Nijmegen March

2014 Sandhurst Competition & RMCC Expedition Club

RMC Triathletes Compete in US Collegiate Championships & RMCC Fencing Team Travels to Belgium

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The Eiffel Tower, as captured during the 2013 Battlefield Tour

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Message From RMCC CommandantIn June, I returned to the Royal Military College of Canada (RMCC) for the first time since

being a cadet here in the ‘80s. While many of my memories still bring a smile to my face, as

the Commandant of RMCC, I’m reminded daily of the incredible contributions being made by

the College Team across all facets of the RMCC mission. Since its official opening in 1876,

RMCC has been defined in many terms.

Certainly the College marks a historical footprint for Canada’s military and it serves as a world-

class starting point for junior officers and leaders of the Canadian Armed Forces. While members

of the Kingston Community and the broader Canadian public at large easily identify our military

efforts through the visible scarlet cadet uniform, what may be missed by the untrained eye are the

multitude of educational, research and athletic opportunities which exist at RMCC.

While most institutions face some limitations due to budget constraints, at RMCC, we are

fortunate to have a group of dedicated individuals whose generous contributions allow us to

provide opportunities to our cadets that regular funding may not allow. Their generosity and

vision helps to ensure our university maintains our excellent national and international standing.

The funding provided by the RMC Foundation allows us to go the extra mile, and provides our

cadets with both equipment and experiences that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Some examples of these include top-of-the-line rowing shells for the rowing team and funds for

many of our competitive athletic teams to travel.

Cadets have been able to attend space programs, engineering competitions, military

competitions and undertake amazing expeditions. The European Battlefield Tour executed each

spring allows our cadets to visit these poignant and important historical sites. Through this

incredible journey, they learn so much about the profession of arms and what service before self

means to our nation. The commitment to an upgraded Learning Commons Concept will allow

students to pursue their studies and conduct research in a first rate Learning Center befitting an

internationally recognized university for decades to come. Further, contributions to maintain our

museum and grounds help us ensure that this incredible historical site on the peninsula is

preserved for future generations.

The amount of money these Foundation projects provide to the college is significant, and on behalf

of RMCC and our cadets, I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude for your ongoing efforts.

16888 Brigadier-General Al MeinzingerRMCC Commandant

Message From RMC Saint-Jean CommandantThere is no doubt that the RMC Foundation is a major contributor in the success

of RMC Saint-Jean’s mission, which is to prepare officer cadets for a great

career in the Canadian Armed Forces by means of its balanced curriculum

based on academics, leadership, sports and bilingualism. As such, the RMC

Foundation plays an extraordinary role in enhancing excellence.

The RMC Foundation has supported many events since our College re-

opened in 2008. For some, like the Poetry Recitals, Battle of the Books, and

Reach for the Top (Génie en herbes), the support comes as prizes for the

winning teams. Many cultural events, some in their 5th year of existence like

Robbie Burns Night, the visit to the Sugar Shack, and Theatre trips in both

official languages, are supported with the purchase of traditional activities,

tickets and visits to historic venues for the officer cadets. The RMC Saint-

Jean band and sports teams have enjoyed continued support through

travel, the purchase of instruments and music, and the procurement of

specialized equipment for our competitive Military Skills team. The Cabot

Trail Relay, a first time event this year, gave our cadets the opportunity to

compete with their Canadian Coast Guard Academy counterparts. Finally,

the Foundation generously funds high profile trips such as the traditional

“Paris-London Study Tour,” a historical and cultural trip which promotes

bilingualism and serves to reward excellence in all four components of the

RMC Saint-Jean curriculum.

I am very thankful for the funding which, you, RMC Foundation donors,

make available to us to support and enhance excellence. Let me assure you

that this funding, provided to us through your very generous donations,

makes a very significant difference in the lives of our officer cadets. In many

of the activities held at RMC Saint-Jean, your donations make the difference

between meeting the required standard and attaining excellence. It is my

pleasure to invite all of our donors to visit us at RMC Saint-Jean, at any time,

to attend and/or participate in any of the cadet events so generously

sponsored by the Foundation.

17312 Colonel Jennie CarignanRMC Saint-Jean Commandant

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The greatest benefit of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Collegiate Design Series competitions, which includes the Baja SAE, is to “go beyond textbook theory by designing, building and testing the performance of a real vehicle” Thanks to the outstanding funding support of the RMC Foundation, the students that participated definitely went beyond textbook theory, and we were quite surprised at how difficult that can be.

Constructing the vehicle proved to be a challenge, but thanks to the support of the Mechanical Engineering technical staff, this was a manageable challenge. Through the generosity of the donors of the RMC Foundation, funds were available for materials and specialized parts, however, actually purchasing the parts and material also proved to be very challenging for us.

The most important challenge proved to be one of leadership. With nine fourth year students, and about as many second and third year students in three sub-teams, the management, communication and leadership challenges proved to be substantial. The team leaders proved to be up to the task, but were surprised by how much work is involved in getting people to work together towards a common goal.

In the end, three excellent 4th year Mechanical Engineering undergraduate thesis reports were produced.

This has been a great experience for us, not only in engineering, but also in leadership, teamwork, and getting things done. I would like to thank the Foundation for allowing us to get this project started, and hopefully we will have a vehicle to race next year.

25544 OCdt Massicote

On behalf of the team participants we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the RMC Foundation for providing the funding necessary to attend the IEEE Systems Conference in Orlando, Florida. The opportunity to participate in an internationally recognized conference always motivated us to produce high quality academic work.

While others enjoyed their weekends and spring break, we toiled to gather scientific results, execute experiments, fine tune systems and complete papers. The RMC Foundation, through its support and funding, allowed us to take the fruits of our hard work and present it to an audience eager to see the accomplishments of the Royal Military College of Canada (RMCC).

Our presentations at the IEEE Systems Conference were very well received and the three papers submitted from RMCC placed in the top ten best papers, out of a considerable pool of 170 submissions.

All of our papers received full marks in all categories through the blind peer evaluation process. Our high quality work and professional presentations impressed the audience and the conference organizers, which in turn showcased the excellent research and

students produced by our great institution.

Again, please pass on our sincerest thanks to the donors, who enabled us to participate in such a great experience.

RMCC Baja Team

Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers Systems Conference

“ The contribution and the participation of the Foundation in the team's 4th year design experience has undoubtedly enhanced excellence, both as engineers and as leaders.”

— Dr. Phil Bates, Dean of Engineering

“ The RMC Foundation, through its support and funding, allowed us to take the fruits of our hard work and present it to an audience eager to see the accomplishments of the Royal Military College of Canada.”

— Dr. Phil Bates, Dean of Engineering

Last summer 26544, OCdt Josh Racho and I were fortunate enough to represent the Royal Military College in Strasbourg, France at the International Space University (ISU). Our training positions required us to perform a number of unexpected tasks, but in true RMC fashion, we rose to the occasion and represented the College with distinction.

The ISU is an incredibly interesting organization which follows the 3 “I”s of International, Interdisciplinary, and Intercultural philosophy. This is by far the most dynamic thing about this international university - it brings together people from different educational backgrounds, different cultural backgrounds, and different age groups, forcing them to work together in large teams. I learned how to convey ideas and opinions in a landscape of differing views, cultures, ages, and religions.

Through our Space Science program at RMC our experience was further enhanced by having the ability to have intelligent conversations with some industry and

scientific leaders. More than a few jaws dropped when we were able discuss orbits, propulsion systems, astrophysics and other subjects with them. On one occasion I was forced to inform an industry leader that what he had labeled in his presentation was not actually an antenna but a drag sail for a microsat.

This will remain one of the defining moments of my career. It helped to confirm that I have chosen the right degree program. We found a new appreciation for the Space Science community and both of us plan on

applying for the ISU program in the future. Without a doubt the knowledge imparted to us by our professors proved exponentially useful in all our dealings with the ISU. Most importantly we would like to thank the Physics department for preparing and selecting us and the RMC Foundation for the vital funding from their donors. It was truly a remarkable experience.

M1017 OCdt Huntley 9

Summer On-Job-Experience at the International Space University

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The Student Conference on United States Affairs (SCUSA) is hosted by the United States Military Academy at West Point early every November. SCUSA is very well attended, with approximately 260 delegates from over 100 colleges and universities within the United States and 30 other countries. The Military & Strategic Studies programme of the Royal Military College of Canada normally sends a small delegation of students, who, given the proximity of West Point to a number of colleges and institutions with very strong reputations in international politics, end up working with some very capable and knowledgeable peers.

The RMCC delegation formed parts of different syndicates with each syndicate examining a different sub-topic. Our students examined the sources of Middle Eastern instability, the effects of aging populations on North American countries, with reference to social safety mechanisms, and

the relationship between religions and the distribution of global power. All three students found the conference to be a valuable experience that enhanced their education. With sincerest gratitude, I would like to thank the Foundation for their generous support that enabled us to travel to West Point

for the conference.

Participation by even small delegations of students is considered extremely useful. Our delegates enjoy an interesting position as being Canadian and military. Not only did we see things with a different perspective, we also

were able to communicate clearly with both our civilian and military counterparts as a form of agent trusted by both. We also learned that our confidence, ability to speak and our education to date meant that we were excellent delegates and made valuable contributions to the learning of our peers. In effect, we were well-prepared to deal with peers from some of the finest schools in the United States with confidence, savoir faire, and great skill.

The Student Conference on United States Affairs

“ This will remain one of the defining moments of my career. It helped to confirm that I have chosen the right degree program.”

— M1017 OCdt Huntley

“ We were well-prepared to deal with peers from some of the finest schools in the United States with confidence, savoir faire, and great skill.”

Thanks to financial support from the RMC Foundation, 8 OCdts from the Royal Military College Saint-Jean participated in a cultural tour to London and Paris from 1-9 March 2014. This trip exposed the OCdts to Canada’s two founding cultures by spending 3 days in London and four days in Paris. On day one in London, the group witnessed the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace and visited the Royal Museum. On day two, they were welcomed at the High Commission. His Excellency Gordon Campbell and Attaché Brigadier General Overton delivered a privileged insight into Canadian –UK relations and a discussion on Canada-EU relations and the impact of the events occurring in Ukraine. Day three began with a boat ride from the UK Parliament to Greenwich to visit the Maritime Museum and Observatory. The afternoon was spent with a tour of the Royal Horse Artillery stables. The next day the group travelled by train to Paris, and headed straight to the Louvre. On day two, the group went to Musée D’Orsay. That afternoon they visited the Embassy and heard a presentation by a French historian on early French immigration to Canada. On the third day in Paris the group again visited the Canadian Embassy and were greeted by the Ambassador

to France, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, and the Defense Attaché, Colonel Maillet. During this presentation, the OCdts learned how the diplomatic and military staff help to strengthen our partnerships with France and other allies. Following a visit to the Musée de l’armée, the OCdts participated in the somber ceremony of the relighting of the eternal flame at

the Arc de Triomphe. The last full day in Paris was spent visiting other attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, Champs D’Élysée, Montmartre and of course sampling more of France’s delicious gastronomy. This visit was enhanced by the accompanying staff that provided additional historical context and local knowledge from their respective experiences of having lived and studied in the two capital cities.

The OCdts will conclude this activity by sharing their experiences and new found knowledge with their peers by means of a presentation later this spring. The continued support of the Foundation to this relevant activity will certainly reap its biggest rewards in the future as these OCdts transition from students to well-rounded future leaders of the Canadian Armed Forces.

RMC Saint-Jean Paris-London Study Tour

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The Royal Military College of Canada’s 2013 Nijmegen Team took part in the International 4 Day Nijmegen Marches in the Netherlands. The team marched a grand total of 163 km, averaging 9-10 hours a day with some days beginning as early as 03:00. Despite both physical and mental exhaustion, and other challenges along the way, the entire team was able to finish the marches. The workup training was very difficult through spring and summer but the team found it to be well worth it.

Besides the actual marches the Team was able to take part in a few notable experiences, including visits to Vimy Ridge before the marching began and the war memorial ceremony in the Groesbeek cemetery on the 3rd marching day. Vimy Ridge was a very humbling visit for everyone. The Groesbeek memorial ceremony was a parade that took place in the cemetery dedicated to Canadian Soldiers, found at the 30 km point of the third day of marching. The solemnity of this ceremony was hard felt by all as the OCdts noticed that numerous fallen soldiers were younger than, or close to the same age, as themselves. The RMC team felt as though both of these experiences were very important to have taken part in as it gave them all a great sense of Canadian pride and an opportunity to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

On the final day we took part in the Gladiola Parade. This is where tens of thousands of supporters gathered in the streets of Nijmegen to cheer marchers on with the majority of the affection going to the Canadian Contingent. Most notable was walking past a local hospital that had set up hospital beds along the side of the road so that marchers could wave to the patients. This moment was particularly memorable for the RMCC team

because it showed just how important this event is to the people of the Netherlands for what it represents.

After the marches team members visited the historical site “A Bridge Too Far” near the city

of Arnhem. This is where many Canadian troops were air-dropped into the Netherlands during WWII, including the great uncle of RMCC team member Lt. Steve Mitchell.

The 2013 International 4 Days March was an unbelievable experience for all 11 members of the team, each in their own special and unique way and they are all very grateful to have been able take part in it. We would like to thank the RMC Foundation for the tremendous amount of funding support they gave us.

2013 Nijmegen March

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“ …this field trip has been an unparalleled source of discovery and development… all thanks to the outstanding support from the donors of the RMC Foundation.”

— Marc Imbeault, Dean of Studies & Research Philosophy, RMC Saint-Jean

“ We would like to thank the RMC Foundation for the tremendous amount of funding support they gave us.”

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For a number of years now the RMC Foundation has supported the RMC Expedition Club by providing Cadets the opportunity to develop their leadership skills while planning, leading and executing CULTURAL and ADVENTURE expeditions to the ends of the Earth. This year’s expeditions Mount Kenya and Guatemala were the continuation of a series of expeditions to Aconcagua (2011), Kilimanjaro (2011/12), Amazon (2012), Baffin Island (2012), India (2013) and Arctic (2013) and aim to get Cadets outside of their comfort zone, challenge themselves mentally and physically and get a first-hand learning experience.

What makes the RMC Expedition Club different from an ordinary outdoors club is the complexity of its adventures and its vision. All activities from the weekend camping trip to the expedition across the globe are planned and lead by RMC Cadets. The complex mission-like expeditions include adventure, cultural and humanitarian components. All three components allow Cadets to “Enhance Excellence” by providing them the opportunity to learn about many aspects of their career in the Canadian Armed Forces as future officers. To name a few examples, Cadets going on expedition have the opportunity to:1. Develop their skills as leaders, followers,

risk manager and mission planner in an operation-like expedition with real dangers

and serious consequences resulting from their decisions;

2. Learn to interact and communicate with outside agencies by networking with experts that can provide on-site help or expertise related to the expedition goal such as mountaineering or jungle trekking skills;

3. Being exposed to the multi-dimensional realities of poverty, racial conflict and ecological degradation;

4. Explore the cultural, historical and political situation of other countries and communities; and

5. Harmonize all four components (Academic, Athletic, Bilingualism/Multilingualism and Leadership) of RMC.

There is no doubt that all Cadets involved with the RMC Expedition Club have a more enriched experience at RMCC through the generous donors of the RMC Foundation. Members of the Club gain experience that they cannot experience with other clubs or even during their phase training. The responsibility and the lessons-learned that come with the planning and the execution of an expedition are an excellent training opportunity and allow Cadets to reach their full potential and be more prepared for their future role as leaders of the Canadian Armed Forces.

26268 (III) OCdt Stephanie PaquetteRMCC Expedition Club President

In 1967, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst presented the United States Military Academy with a British officer’s sword. The sword was to be used as a trophy for a military skills competition, the intent of which was “To provide the Corps of Cadets with a challenging and rewarding regimental skills competition, which will enhance professional development and military excellence in selected soldier skills.” This sword has evolved into a coveted symbol of military excellence, and is now presented to the winning team of the renowned international military skills and leadership challenge: the Sandhurst Competition.

1997 marked RMC’s inaugural participation in the Sandhurst Competition, and ever since, RMC has fielded a squad of 9 cadets who have continually proven themselves at the annual competition. RMC has consistently placed well, winning the sword in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009. In 2012 and 2013, Team Canada placed 3rd, but each year the team returns to West Point with the aim to win, and this attitude is prevalent in the ferocity of their competitive spirit. The competition is held at the USMA West Point in April, with participation from international military colleges and multiple American teams.

Each team competes as a squad of 9 cadets which must consist of one 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year, and one female member. The remaining 4 spots are filled by cadets from any year. Each team is required to move together over a prescribed route and complete various physically, mentally, and technically exhausting stands along the way.

Members of the RMC Sandhurst Team are required to devote a large amount of time and energy towards training for the competition. Training begins with a selection process in January. After a

rigorous and gruelling evaluation, a team of 15 cadets is selected. These cadets train as a group until the competition in April, where a squad of 9 cadets will be nominated to represent Canada and RMC in the competition. A typical training week consists of practices in the mornings and afternoons. Training sessions are balanced between skills and physical fitness and includes weekends. Despite this demanding schedule, members of the Sandhurst team are expected to be fully integrated within the Cadet Wing. Academic success is paramount and many members of the team hold senior bar positions including Cadet Squadron Leader and Cadet Division Leader. The team supports a bilingual environment and includes French and English-speaking cadets, and includes members from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. But the team also propagates a unique environment where highly motivated individuals can train and work together towards a common goal, whilst simultaneously fulfilling the requirements of RMC’s four components.

The RMC Sandhurst Team has created a legacy of excellence that has flourished since the team’s inception. This has only occurred through the outstanding financial support from the RMC Foundation donors. Experienced members practice, refine, and pass on their skills to new members, creating a cycle of learning that benefits the team and the college. Alumni of the Sandhurst Team have also distinguished themselves in their phase training and at their new units. The 2014 Sandhurst Team will carry out a disciplined and demanding training regimen and will arrive at West Point with a winning attitude and expect to bring home the sword to RMC. One Shot!

26685 NCdt Graham Mater (II)

RMCC Expedition Club2014 Sandhurst Competition

“ There is no doubt that all Cadets involved with the RMC Expedition Club have a more enriched experience at RMCC through the generous donors of the RMC Foundation. “

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RMC Triathletes Compete in US Collegiate Championships 25550 OCdt Olivier Bonvouloir and 25005 NCdt Aaron Bradley trained hard all year in the sport of Triathlon, which includes swimming, biking, and running. There are few cadets at the college who commit to such a demanding sport because of the already busy cadet schedule.

College sports are taken very seriously in the US and RMC had two cadets who went head to head with the best US Collegiate athletes at the Wildflower Olympic Distance Triathlon. The race was a 1500 meter swim, 40 kilometre bike, and a 10 kilometre run taking place under the hot California sun.

“It is unbelievable to have the opportunity to compete at such a prestigious event” stated Aaron Bradley. Every year the Wildflower Triathlon gathers more than 8000 participants to the event including all categories. Olivier Bonvouloir said, “It means so much to us as athletes to have such high quality events where we can show our skill”.

Training in Kingston at RMC and competition locally or abroad would never be possible without the generous support of everyone at the Royal Military College, but most importantly the RMC Foundation. This is not the first time the Foundation has helped RMC triathletes and that support is greatly appreciated.

The cadets represented RMC and Canada very well with Olivier placing 9th overall and Aaron 18th overall. There were 291 athletes in the competitive collegiate category.

A huge thank you goes to the RMC Foundation, Athletic Department, and Recreation Department for supporting and facilitating opportunities for RMC cadets to gain valuable experience at the elite level and demonstrate their skills.

RMCC Fencing Team Travels to BelgiumOn November 26th 2013 a small group of athletes from the RMCC Varsity Fencing Team traveled to the Royal Military Academy in Brussels Belgium to participate in Le Challenge Epee Commandant ERM. The competition, which took place over two days, included delegations from military academies in Belgium, France, Turkey, Hungary, Germany, the Netherlands and Canada.

The team was lucky to have the opportunity to visit several battlefields across the country such as Ypres and Passchendaele between their arrival and the beginning of the two-day competition. This visit was an excellent chance for the team to see an important part of Canadian history first hand, an opportunity that most people do not get the chance to experience.

After a long day of individual competition RMCC cadets performed incredibly well with top results. The following day the men’s and women’s teams got back on the piste to fight in the team event. Excellent teamwork and dedication allowed for amazing results in this event. The women’s team taking silver and the men’s taking gold after some very hard matches in both. Thanks to an impressive effort by everyone involved RMCC was able to gain a victory for Canada at an international competition, a feat that these athletes can be proud of for the rest of their lives.

The team would like to thank the RMC Foundation for the enormous amount of support that they provided. Without them, this incredible experience would not have been possible.

26230 OCdt (III) Alexander Whitehead

Inquiries can be directed to:info@rmcclubfoundation.ca | 613-541-6000 ext 6807 | www.rmcclubfoundation.ca

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CADETS ABROAD 2013–201413

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RMCC Baja Team

IEEE Systems Conference

Student Conference on US Affairs

2014 Sandhurst Competition

RMCC Expedition Club

RMCC Expedition Club

RMCC Expedition Club

RMCC Expedition Club

RMC Saint-Jean Paris-London Study Tour

RMC Triathletes Compete in

US Collegiate Championships

Summer OJE at the ISU

2013 Nijmegen March

RMCC Fencing Team Travels to Belgium

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LocationColorado Springs, ColoradoStrasbourg, FranceWest Point, New YorkParis, FranceLondon, United KingdomOrlando, FloridaNijmegen, NetherlandsWest Point, New YorkArctic, CanadaIndiaKenya, AfricaGuatemalaLake San Antonio, CaliforniaBrussels, Belgium