Royal Military College Saint-Jean

The Royal Military College Saint-Jean; (French: Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean), commonly referred to as RMC Saint-Jean, is a Canadian military college. It is located on the historical site of Fort Saint-Jean, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, 40 km south of Montreal. RMC Saint-Jean is the arm of the Canadian Military College (CMC) system that ensures officer cadets and naval cadets a seamless transition from high school to university by providing two college-level programmes in Social Science and Science which are closely integrated with the undergraduate programmes offered by the Royal Military College of Canada and the International Studies undergraduate programme delivered by RMC Saint-Jean. The curriculum is based on the four pillars of achievement: the academics pillar, the military pillar, the physical fitness pillar, and the bilingualism pillar. RMC Saint-Jean offers a low teacher–student ratio, physical fitness and recreational facilities, as well as teaching and leadership activities. The college has clubs, an intramural sports programme and recreational facilities.

Royal Military College Saint-Jean

Motto	French: Verité, Devoir, Vaillance
Motto in English	Truth, Duty, Valour
Type	Military college
Established	1952
Chancellor	Harjit Sajjan (ex officio as Defence Minister)
Principal	Commandant Colonel Nicolas Joseph Jean-Louis Pilon, MSM, CD
Administrative staff	20
Undergraduates	up to 200
Location	Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu , Quebec , Canada 45°17′49″N 73°15′09″W
Campus	80 acres (32 ha), waterfront, situated on the west bank of the Richelieu River, Fort Saint-Jean (Quebec)
Two-year program	'A diploma not like the others' 'Un diploma pas comme les autres'
Affiliations	AUCC, IAU, AUFC, COU, CIS, CVU, PPC, UArctic, MAISA, Cégep de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Website	cmrsj-rmcsj.forces.gc.ca

Responsibilities

• Conduct of the Preparatory Year academic activities, under the functional authority of RMC, as well as military and fitness training and bilingualism.
• Provision of oversight, under the functional authority of RMC, of the Continuing Studies and Officer Professional Military Education programs.

Programme

RMC Saint-Jean enamel pin

Intended for students who have obtained their high-school certificates in Quebec or the equivalent elsewhere in Canada, the programs offered at RMC Saint-Jean prepare students to pursue university studies in one of the programs offered at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, or in the International Studies program offered at RMC Saint-Jean.

Military education for Canadian officers is focused on the four pilars of achievement unique to the military colleges: the military pilar, the physical fitness pilar, the bilingualism pilar and the academics pilar.

About 200 students per year receive training at RMC Saint-Jean in the two-year pre-university programmes leading to a college diploma:

• 130–140 cadets in the Preparatory Year
• 60–70 in First Year

RMC Saint-Jean allows Quebecers who have already completed a year of studies at the college level to be admitted directly into First Year.

In preparation for continued university studies at RMC, or RMC Saint-Jean should they choose the International Studies programme, students select either the Social Science programme (students pursuing a degree in Arts) or the Science programme (students pursuing a degree in Engineering or Science). Each programme is offered in both official languages. The two programmes share core courses: four in literature; three in philosophy; two in Second Language; three in Physical Education. These core courses are supplemented with courses specific to each programme. RMC Saint-Jean offers courses in both official languages.

Divided into two semesters, the academic year is composed of 75 teaching days and a final examination period, followed by a supplemental examination period.

Academics

Science	Social Sciences
Mathematics Biology Physics Chemistry	Sociology Psychology History Political Science Politics Economics

Science

RMC Saint-Jean's Science programme aims at developing the students' knowledge and basic abilities in the programme's disciplines: mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, and fosters the acquisition of a rigorous and balanced curriculum through the integration of Learning; disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and general scientific methodology ; as well as the development of problem-solving and communication skills.

Social Science

With the study of history, political science, psychology, economy, sociology, RMC Saint-Jean's Social Science programme aims at developping the students towards towards an approach to and analysis of the human phenomenon through various disciplinary perspectives, all of which centered on knowledge acquisition and the integration and development of problem-solving and comunication skills.

The core courses in both programmes include: literature, humanities, second language, and physical education.

The mandate of the preparatory year is to develop in its students good work habits, academic diligence, critical facility, and team spirit.

Undergraduate Programmes

International Studies

RMC Saint-Jean offers a university programme in International Studies. This multidisciplinary programme aims at preparing officer cadets and naval cadets for the responsibilities awaiting them in their career in the CAF , where they will have the opportunity to serve at the International level and work in a variety of culturally diverse environnements. Core and elective courses include international law, geopolitics, international relations, military history, international economomy, and Spanish.

Regular Officer Training Plan

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 the Regular Officer Training Plan (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 there are more qualified candidates than the CMC System can accommodate or the choice of programme is not offered, such as Nursing, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy, successful applicants would be eligible to apply to any Canadian university where books, laboratory fees, and student fees are covered, and students receive a monthly salary.

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 evaluated, with a candidate's top six most recent marks related to the requirements of the chosen programme. Officer cadets are obliged to maintain satisfactory academic and military performance throughout the programme.

Admissions

By submitting an application, students are applying for full-time employment in the CAF. RMC Saint-Jean provides the basis for professional development as future Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army or Royal Canadian Air Force officers. An application to RMC Saint-Jean is an application to serve Canada as a future officer and to receive an exceptional education that provides the leadership skills, as well as the academic, linguistic and fitness requirements to lead.

Uniforms

RMC Saint-Jean 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.

Proficiency badges

RMC Saint-Jean badges (2011)

The gold thread crossed pistols are awarded as a military badge for marksmanship when marksman levels are achieved for the pistol; a crown is awarded in May to the top score in the College. The gold thread crossed rifles are awarded as a military badge for marksmanship when marksman levels are achieved with a rifle; a crown is awarded in May to the top score in the College. The gold thread cross swords in a laurel wreath military proficiency badge is awarded if the following conditions have been met by the student: a mark of at least B in military assessment; positive leadership qualities in the summer training report; an academic average of at least 70%; a mark of at least B in physical training; a satisfactory mark in the bilingualism profile; A crown is awarded to the top Cadet having received this award, by year. All students are awarded at least a blue star for a start at bilingualism. As they achieve proficiency, they receive a silver or gold star. An academic distinction badge is awarded to a student with an academic average of at least 80% at the end of the year. The crossed bats are physical fitness badges are awarded upon reaching a certain number of points on the regular physical fitness test.

As cadets learn and demonstrate leadership skills, they are appointed to different positions. Since all cadets are technically officer-cadets in the Canadian Forces, "Bars" distinguish differences in rank and responsibility. The number of bars increases from 0 to 5 as students are promoted. There are five no-bar positions and 152 bar positions.

Awards

Awards are granted to outstanding cadets:

Award	Description	Honours
John Matheson Memorial Sword	Preparatory Year cadet who achieved the highest results in all four components of the College's program, namely Academics, Leadership, Athletics and Bilingualism.	H17417 John Matheson (Royal Military College of Canada 1936)
Ex-Cadets Trophy	First Year cadet who achieved the highest results in all four components of the College's program, namely Academics, Leadership, Athletics and Bilingualism.	Royal Military Colleges ex-cadet club

Centres

CFMDS

Founded in 1966, the mission of the Canadian Forces Management Development School (CFMDS) is to apply management and leadership training and consultation to the defence team. The CFMDS is housed at the RMC Saint-Jean.

NCMPDC

The Non-Commissioned Members Professional Development Centre (NCMPDC) was created on 1 April 2003 and is located at Campus S^t-Jean. The courses that are offered at the centre are the Intermediate Leadership Qualification (ILQ), the Advanced Leadership Qualification (ALQ) and finally the CPO1/CWO Chief Qualification (CQ). All courses include both distance learning and a residential portion. The distance learning portion lasts 9 or 10 weeks depending on the course and allows the candidates to remain with their respective units. These courses also prepare the candidates for the residential portion which last three weeks and takes place on the RMC Saint-Jean site.

The NCMPDC courses were created as a result of the NCM Corps 2020, which is the strategic guidance for the professional development of the Canadian Forces Non-Commissioned Members.

More than a thousand members of the Canadian Forces transit through the NCMPDC each year to perfect their knowledge and skills following or before their promotion to the ranks of warrant officer (petty officer 1st class), master warrant officer (chief petty officer second class) or chief warrant officer (chief petty officer first class).

The NCMPDC is a unique professional education establishment within the CF. It is the only pan-CF school that is for NCM's taught by NCM's and as of September 2007 commanded by an NCM.

Since May 2009, NCMPDC is under the command of the Canadian Forces College (CFC) in Toronto, which offers a similar professional development curricumlum but for officer from the ranks of major to brigadier-general.

On 20 April 2012, the auditorium at the Non-Commissioned Members Professional Development Centre (NCMPDC) was named after Chief Warrant Officer Robert Girouard, MSC who was the first Regimental Sergeant Major in the 123-year history of the Royal Canadian Regiment to be killed by enemy action; He was previously stationed in Germany, Kosovo, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

RMC Saint-Jean lapel pin

Squadrons of the Cadet Wing

Tracy Squadron, RMC Saint-Jean

The undergraduate student body, known as the Cadet Wing, is sub-divided into three smaller groupings called Squadrons, under the guidance and supervision of senior cadets. The squadrons are currently named in honour of local communities. Squadrons are subdivided into flights and sections. In 2017, another squadron was added named Joillet. These squadrons have a competition called the "Commandants Cup" which is a competition in the four pillars of the college.

Squadron #	Name
1	Richelieu
2	Iberville
3	Tracy
4	Jolliet

In the 1960s, the three squadrons were named Cartier, Maisonneuve and Champlain in honour of historical figures.

Routine

Chair with crest of RMC Saint-Jean

When they arrive at the Officer Cadets Division, the officer-cadets have already chosen their service. They are soon separated into Four squadrons (Richelieu, Iberville, Tracy, or Jolliet).

The preuniversity programme features modern, diversified teaching methods: workshops, introduction to research methods, laboratories, group projects, oral and multimedia presentations. The staff provide academic support in the form of workshops, tutorials, and supplementary courses.

The cadets live in the Cartier Building or the Champlain Building and eat in the Dextraze Pavilion (completed in 1993). The cadets can not leave the campus except on weekends, however some weekends are used for military training.

During the week, the daily routine consists of inspection, running, breakfast, classes, sports, and studies. The officer-cadets attend academic classes and undergo military training. The military training is in the form of drill, cartography, compass use and two major field exercises each year. The cadets can take roles as cadet squadron leader, deputy cadet squadron leader, cadet flight leader and section commander. Outside classes, bilingualism is promoted by French / English weeks.

On the weekend, with the exception of military training, the students are largely free.

History

RMC Saint-Jean main entrance

In Fall 2007, the federal government reopened the military college at Saint-Jean. The military college was slated for closure in 1995, but on 9 July 1994, the federal and provincial governments agreed to maintain it as a non-degree-granting college.

The reopened RMC Saint-Jean greatly differs from the original college which opened in 1952 and from the RMC of Canada located in Kingston. The new RMC Saint-Jean encompasses the Canadian Forces Management and Development School, one of the oldest CF training establishments in the country. It is also the home to the Non-Commissioned Member Professional Development Centre, which develops the prospective future senior leaders of the Canadian Forces NCM Corps.

Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, inaugurated the Royal Military College Saint-Jean on 24 May 2008, and she presented the new college coat of arms to the Commandant, Colonel Francois Pion.

The Commandant of Royal Military College Saint-Jean reports to the Commander, Canadian Defence Academy (CDA). RMC Saint-Jean also has its own board of governors. Cadets at RMC Saint-Jean are issued scarlet uniforms. The first-year program at RMC Saint-Jean is freeing up beds at RMC allowing more Regular Officer Training Program (ROTP) cadets to attend RMC rather than civilian universities.

Year	Significance
1926	Fort Saint-Jean plaque (Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada 1926) Constructed in 1743 by M. de Léry under orders from Governor la Galissonnière. This post was for all the military expeditions towards Lake Champlain. On 31 August 1760, Commandant de Roquemaure had it blown up in accordance with orders from the Governor de Vaudreuil to prevent its falling into the hands of the English. Rebuilt by Governor Carleton, in 1773. During the same year, under the command of Major Charles Preston of the 26th Regiment, it withstood a 45-day siege by the American troops commanded by General Montgomery.
1926/replaced 1980	Fort Saint-Jean plaque (Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada 1926, replaced 1980) "As a result of the Iroquois wars a first fort was erected at St-Jean by the French in 1666. In 1748 a second fort was built to protect the French colony against British military expeditions coming up the Richelieu. Later on, as a result of the American Revolution two redoubts were built to protect the now English colony against an American invasion. Following the 1837 uprising a new military complex was built on the site of its predecessors. It is this complex which as served since 1952 as the core of the new Collège militaire royal de St-Jean."
1948	In the post-war re-organization of the Canadian Forces, the Canadian Military Colleges Circle (CMC) was formed with RMC, Royal Roads Military College (RRMC) and Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean(CMR) (now known as RMC Saint-Jean)
1950	The Old Brigade, alumni celebrating 50 or more years since they entered one of the military colleges, are inducted.
1952	CMR (now RMC Saint-Jean) was established to conduct tri-service cadet training within the Canadian Forces. It was a classical college, with the initial purpose of providing a more equitable representation of French Canadians in the three services of the Canadian Forces. During the Spring of 1952, Louis Saint-Laurent, Prime Minister of Canada, made the decision to found a bilingual military college in Quebec, to open in September. In 1952 the Governor General of Canada officially opened Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean (CMR).
1968	Pavillon Lahaie was built, featuring laboratory, library and office space
1971	CMR established a formal partnership with the Université de Sherbrooke, after which CMR cadets were able to obtain a bachelor's degree without leaving Saint-Jean.
1972	"Le Defile 1952–1972 College Militaire Royal de St Jean 20th Anniversary Yearbook"
1973	The CMR March (music), "La marche du Richelieu" composed by Madame Denise Chabot (wife of head of French department LCol C.A. Chabot) in 1954 became the official college march. "La Gaillarde" is the slow march. To honour the academic staff of Canadian Military Colleges, the bands play "March of the Peers: from Iolanthe" (1881) words Sir William S. Gilbert, music Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan (1842–1900), arrangement Bryceson Treharne which opens with a fanfare leading to a swaggering march from Sullivan's ‘Iolanthe’.
1974	Col (Ret'd) André D. Gauthier OMM, CD, then Vice-Commandant and Director of Cadets 1973–1975 presented "CADET" (1974), an 18-inch statuette of an Officer Cadet to CMR, which is currently displayed in the Commandant's Office. The (then) Cadet Wing Commander, 10055 OCdt Pierre Trahan (CMR 1974) served as the model 'at attention' and in the moment of drawing his sword to bring it to a full salute as on a ceremonial parade ground.
1 October 1977	The College is granted the Freedom of the City
1977–1991	15th Anniversary celebrations 8 October 1977. Plaque presented to Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean by the RMC Club 8 October 1977
1983-4	1st Terry-Fox run in Saint-Jean 1983; 2,000 runners attended the 2nd race held Sun 9 September 1984
1984	Honour Guard of 114 cadets at the depart of Pope Jean-Paul II 20 September 1984 Saturday 12 May 1984, the band performed at the CMR graduation for the first time
1985	The Quebec government passed an act granting CMR its own university charter.
1988	CMR was authorized to grant master's and doctorate degrees.
1992	The College is granted the Freedom of the City
1994/1994	Col (Ret'd) André D. Gauthier OMM, CD, then Vice-Commandant and Director of Cadets 1973–1975, loaned 30+ military-themed statuettes and bas reliefs, which were displayed at the Cadet Mess at CMR until the college's closure. These works now form part of the 70+ Gauthier Collection on display at RMC.
1995	The College is granted the Freedom of the City Following the end of the Cold War and massive government cutbacks on defence spending, the Department of National Defence closed Royal Roads Military College (RRMC) and Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean (CMR). RRMC is no longer a military institution, and is now maintained by the Government of British Columbia as Royal Roads University. The loss of CMR and RRMC along with their many traditions and history as military colleges still remains a bitter event for many cadets and alumni.
2007	The reopening of CMR was discussed during the Debates of the Senate (Hansard) 1st Session, 39th Parliament, Volume 143, Issue 93 on Thursday, 3 May 2007. The reopening of CMR was announced in July 2007 for the fall term 2007.
2008	Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, inaugurated the bilingually-named Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean) and College militaire royal de Saint-Jean (CMR Saint-Jean) On 24 May 2008, she presented the new college coat of arms to the Commandant, Colonel Francois Pion. RMC Saint-Jean now operates as part of ASU Saint-Jean as Campus Saint-Jean where preparatory year ("prep year") cadets acquire the necessary academic standard needed to attend RMC.
2012	Royal Military College Saint Jean celebrates 60th anniversary 1952–2012 22 April -The College is granted the Freedom of the City
2015	Royal Military College Saint Jean Dutch Canadian Friendship Tulip Garden
2017	*Held Leadersphere Symposium 2017 and hosted International Symposium on the Development of Military Academies (ISoDoMA) Developed the Chief Warrant Officer Robert-Osside Profession of Arms Institute
2018	RMC Saint-Jean will again offer courses to obtain a university degree

Features and buildings

RMC Saint-Jean pin

Richelieu, Jolliet, Tracy and Iberville Squadrons live in the Cartier and Champlain Blocks. The Vanier, DeLéry, Dextraze, Lahaie and Massey Pavillons along with the Old Mess are shared. The campus provides state-of-the-art technological support: library, well-equipped laboratories, ample supplies of learning materials, and Internet access. RMC Saint-Jean infrastructure is currently used by the Canadian Forces located at ASU Saint-Jean and by a non-profit corporation called Campus du Fort Saint-Jean (Quebec), which arranges for the upkeep of many of the educational facilities and leases them out to educational institutions such as the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) for their local program while also renting out others for short events such as large banquets or conventions. The Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings lists six recognized Federal Heritage Buildings on the Royal Military College Saint-Jean grounds:

Designated buildings

Name	Address	Coordinates	IDF	IDP	IDM		Image
Fort Saint-Jean National Historic Site of Canada (1666, 1748, 1775, 1776)	Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada, , QC	45°17′53″N 73°15′07″W	13294
Royal Military College Saint-Jean, Gallisonnière Block (1839)	* named after Roland-Michel Barrin de La Galissonière, (commandant-general of New France); Recognized Federal Heritage Building 1987 originally served as barracks and then classrooms with the opening of RMC Saint-Jean before being converted to a dormitory for senior officer-cadets;, Jacques Cartier Street, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada, QC	45°17′54″N 73°15′06″W	10513
Administration Building No. 24 (1937–38)	recognized Federal Heritage Building (1989), Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada, QC	45°17′56″N 73°15′08″W	4768
Former Guardhouse and Museum, Building 26 (1885)	Recognized Federal Heritage Building 1989 served as a guardhouse & museum (1972–2006), Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada, QC	45°17′58″N 73°15′09″W	4769
Royal Military College Saint-Jean, Officer Cadet Dormitory (Building No. 4 and Montcalm Barracks) (1839)	named after General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm;Recognized Federal Heritage Building 1987 originally served as classrooms before being converted to a dormitory for officer-cadets;, Jacques Cartier Street, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada, QC	45°17′57″N 73°15′06″W	4498

Other buildings

Building	Builtẽ	Recognition	Photo
Cartier Pavilion	1955	Honours Jacques Cartier, French navigator and explorer who claimed what is now Canada for France residence for officers, officer cadets and civilian students	Cartier Building RMCSJ
Champlain Pavilion	1953	residence for officers, officer cadets and civilian students
CWO Couture Building 16	2012	drill hall named after Chief Warrant Officer Couture, who served for 17 years at RMC Saint-Jean from 1962 to 1979, and who died in 2010. display cabinet features his uniform, photo, sword and pace stick.
DeLery Building	1957	academic classrooms and administrative offices named after Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry, a military engineer who built Fort Saint-Jean (Quebec) in 1748
Dextraze Pavilion	1992	Dining room named after General J.A. Dextraze H18111 former Chief of the Defence Staff	Dextraze Mess at RMCSJ
Lahaie Pavilion	1968–74	Library laboratories and additional offices for professors and staff named after Brigadier-General Marcelin L. Lahaie, the first Commandant at CMR.	Lahaie Building at RMCSJ
Maisonneuve pavilion	1953	Dormitory named after Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, founder of Montreal, Quebec used as residence by Officers, Officer Cadets and civilian students
Massey Building Musée Fort-Saint-Jean Pavillon Les Forges	1937	Named after Vincent Massey former Governor General of Canada The old forge building (1839) burned in 1883; The site was transformed into a mess for officer cadets known as the 'old forge'. The current building houses the Corporation du Fort Saint-Jean, a non-profit corporation which manages the site; Fort Saint-Jean Museum and is rented for private functions. The Musée du Fort Saint-Jean located in Les Forges; the tour includes a historic interpretation of the campus’ military facilities (heritage-related and contemporary).
Former Protestant Chapel/former museum	1956	Built as a Protestant Chapel orgininally, the building housed the Museum of Fort Saint-Jean from 2006 to 2012.
Officer's Mess Building 5	1957	Former Catholic chapel dedicated to Saint Maurice, the patron saint of soldiers, swordsmiths, and armies. With the reopening of RMC Saint-Jean, it was converted into a recreational and social activity centre, mess featuring a stained glass window of Saint Maurice, Recognized Federal Heritage Building 1987 Registry of Historical Places
Parade square	1955	300 by 400 feet (91 by 122 m)
Private Married Quarters (PMO)	bricks (1935)/wood (1952)	residence for military personnel and their families
Sergeants' Mess, Building 3	1839	Registry of Historical Places Federal Heritage Building 1987
Vanier Pavilion	1957	Sport Complex, gymnasium, skating rink, pool, also outdoor soccer, tennis and Canadian football fields named after Georges P. Vanier, former Governor General of Canada

Museum

Fort Saint-Jean Museum

Established	1965
Location	Massey Building, Old Forge, on campus of Royal Military College Saint-Jean, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Quebec
Curator	Eric Ruel
Website	museedufortsaintjean.ca

The museum is located in Fort Saint-Jean on the campus of the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean. The museum mandate is to collect, conserve, research and display material relating to the history of the CMR, its former cadets and its site, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Guided tours are offered. The museum contains collections of military memorabilia, military artefacts, maps, models, videos and historical objects. The site has been occupied since 1666 by different garrisons, a shipyard and a military college. The CMR Ex-Cadet Foundation manages the museum which recognizes more than 325 years (1666–1995) of military history at the fortifications located on the Richelieu River. The flora and centennial trees enhance the site. The RMC Saint-Jean art collection includes a bronze sculpture of a cadet 'Truth Duty Valour (1976)', by William McElcheran (Canadian 1927–1999) "Presented to ‘le college militaire royal de saint jean’ by the commandant, staff & cadets of R.M.C., Canada on the occasion of the sister College's visit, 12–17 May 1976"

H18424 Lt Cdr (Ret`d) David Daniel Ruddy founded the CMR Museum in 1965 to exhibit artefacts from Fort Saint-Jean and souvenirs from Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean. He was the CMR Museum Director from 1965 to 1988. In 1965 artefacts and documents were moved from the CMR library to the old guard house built in the 19th century by the Royal Engineers.

The museum club began as a club for cadets in 1972 with the head of the museum club serving as Curator. Officer Cadets were part of the team that converted the old guard house into a proper museum. Office Cadets designed diorama(s) used in the museum and the business card from the museum featured a picture of one of the officer cadet's model soldiers on it.

The museum was opened in the old guardhouse at the northern entrance to the College from 1974 to 1998. The three small cells were used to display the historic periods (1666–1951) and the large cell the drunk tank was for the display of memorabilia from CMR, which had opened in 1952. The CMR museum was opened on special occasions until it was recognized as an official museum of the Canadian Forces in May 1973.

The museum was closed from 1998 to 2003. The Museum Committee of the CMR Ex-Cadet Club Foundation was founded on 22 January 2003. When the museum was accredited a Canadian Forces Museum, the Museum Committee became an independent entity separate from the Foundation.

In 2006, while Hélène Ladouceur served as curator, the museum site moved from the old guardhouse to the entrance of the former Protestant Chapel. LGen(ret.) and Senator Roméo A. Dallaire presided over the official opening, which took place on 29 March 2006.

Eric Ruel became the museum curator in 2006. The museum web site museedufortsaintjean.ca was created in June 2007.

In May 2012, while Eric Ruel served as curator, the museum relocated in the historical pavilion "les Forges". The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00, from 24 May until 1 September.

Archaeology Digs have taken place on the site from 2009 to 2013 through the Quebec Archaeo Month, an initiative of Archéo-Québec. Funded by the Directorate of History and Heritage of the Canadian Forces as part of a five-year agreement between the Fort Saint-Jean Museum, Laval University and the Royal Military College Saint-Jean, the Archaeology Digs are supported by the Corporation du Fort Saint-Jean and archaeologists from Parks Canada. The museum is a member of the Canadian Museums Association, Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN), Virtual Museum of Canada and the Organization of Military Museums of Canada Inc. The museum is an accredited museum within the Canadian Forces Museum System. The museum has formed a cooperating association of friends of the museum to assist with projects.

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  Fort Saint-Jean circa 1775 siege of the fort

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  Artillery @ Royal Military College Saint Jean

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  Cadet Sculpture 'Truth, Duty, Valour' by William McElcheran

Memorials

Other	Description	Photo
25th Anniversary Monument	donated by the Club des Anciens du CMR de St Jean in 1977 to honour 25th anniversary of college unveiled by Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Second World War Memorial (1 Dec 1945) 24063-009	A granite slab erected on 1 December 1945 is dedicated to the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of No. 48 Canadian Infantry (Basic) Training unit who died during the Second World War. Includes the Bible's 2 Timothy 4:7 (King James Version): I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Donated by the Club des Anciens du CMR de St Jean
24063-018	A plaque on a granite slab is dedicated to former Sergeant-Majors of the Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean.
24063-005	stone shaft was erected on 26 September 1964 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Royal 22e Régiment (French-Canadian). The Regiment trained at Fort Saint-Jean in 1914. The monument lists the Regiment's battle honours
A Century of Service	A plaque commemorates the centennial of the Royal Canadian Regiment 1883–1983, Canada's oldest permanent force infantry regiment. Elements of the regiment garrisoned Saint Jean sur Richelieu from 1884 to 1908 and 1924–

Plaques

Plaque	Description
Fort Saint-Jean (Quebec) plaque 24063-025	Built in 1748 during the French régime. During the 1837 rebellion, French-Canadian nationalists of the Parti Patriote planned to attack Fort Saint-Jean, then under British control with British troops. The plan was not executed. "En 1839, des travaux sont entrepris au Fort Saint-Jean dans le but d'y édifier un important camp militaire qui pourrait contrer toute tentative de rébellion ultérieure."
24063-008 Fort Saint-Jean	A bronze plaque on a slab commemorating Fort Saint-Jean was erected by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in 1926 and replaced in 1980.

Naval, military, and air memorials

Military Vehicles	Description	Graphic
Air Defense Anti-Tank System (ADATS)	near Dextraze pavilion
Anchor of HMCS Bonaventure	HMCS Bonaventure. Royal Military College Saint-Jean. This anchor is one of the two anchors of HMCS Bonaventure, a Majestic-class aircraft carrier. First built for the Royal Navy as HMS Powerful, this aircraft carrier served the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces Maritime Command from 1957 to 1970. She was the last aircraft carrier to serve Canada. This starboard side anchor of "The Bonnie" was donated by the Canadian Forces Maritime Command 6 May 1998 and is located at the Massey Building, Musée Fort-Saint-Jean Pavilion Les Forges.
Plaque on stockless anchor of HMCS Bonaventure	Plaque on stockless anchor of HMCS Bonaventure at Royal Military College Saint Jean, Saint Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada. HMCS Bonaventure was a Majestic-class aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy as HMS Powerful. She served in the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces Maritime Command from 1957 to 1970 and was the third and the last aircraft carrier to serve Canada. The anchor depicted is the starboard anchor of "The Bonnie" and is located by the Massey Building, Les Forges Musée Fort-Saint-Jean Pavilion. The anchor of "The Bonnie" was donated to the museum by the Canadian Forces Maritime Command on 6 May 1998.	HMCS Bonaventure anchor plaque
Admiralty pattern anchors of HMS Fury	Commander William Edward Parry, RN, FRS abandoned his beset HMS Fury at "Fury Beach", Somerset Island, Nunavut in 1825. Fury's anchors are on display at RMC St-Jean parade field.	Ancres Fury. Anchors of HMS Fury
Plaque at HMS Fury anchors	Commander William Edward Parry, RN, FRS abandoned his beset HMS Fury at "Fury Beach", Somerset Island, Nunavut in 1825. Fury's anchors and plaque are on display at RMC St-Jean parade field.	HMS Fury plaque.
Anti-tank weapons	These 75mm anti-tank cannons were used during the Second World War.
AVGP M-130 a Canadian armoured personnel carrier	borders parade square near Richelieu River
AVGP Grizzly, a Canadian armoured personnel carrier	borders parade square near Richelieu River
Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck	Designed and manufactured in Canada after 1952 It could reach a speed of 1046 km/h at 16 460 m and was the first plane to pass the sound barrier.
Canadair CF-104 Starfighter	near entrance
Canon-obusier	English bronze Shell-gun cannon, gun-howitzer was manufactured 1841–1846.
Cannon	This German 77 mm cannon circa 1916 was a Great War prize.
Centurion tank	Canada purchased Centurion tanks in 1950 to replace Sherman tanks. Four men were required to operate the 53-ton, 35 km/h tank with a V-12 Rolls-Royce motor, deploying 20-pound ammunition.
M109 howitzer M109A4	by staff residences
M4 Sherman tank	Manufactured in the United States, used by Canada during the Second World War Five men were required to operate the 33 ton, 40 km/h tank deploying 76 mm munition.	Sherman Tank at RMCSJ
Naval signal cannon	This six-shot cannon launched projectiles from HMCS Mackenzie to signal the presence of the Navy. It is used at RMC St Jean to celebrate the graduation of officer cadets.

Traditions

Tradition	Significance
blanket toss	blanket toss of senior class members after the last waltz at the Grad Ball
'change of command ceremony'	The former commandant offers farewell and best wishes to the college and to the new Commandant. The new commandant accepts a first salute as the cadet wing marches past.
College Coin	Every new officer cadet is issued a challenge coin upon completion of First Year Orientation Period. The coin is engraved with the name of the college in French and English surrounding the college badge on the obverse. The cadet's college number and the motto is in both languages.
college toast	CMR toast to absent comrades meaning those who have fallen in action or who had died
Convocation	held on Friday evening in late May in the Dextraze Pavilion with parents, relatives of the graduating cadets and foreign exchange cadets in attendance Guest of Honour and The Commandant present short talks to the young future leaders The diplomas are given out
End of Year Parade	held on Saturday morning after convocation, Guest of Honour takes the salute martial music provided by the band of the Royal 22nd Regiment from Valcartier Garrison, The year's winning squadron is announced awards and prizes are presented
Feux de joie	an honour guard perform a rifle salute with field artillery, or more commonly, rifles using blank ammunition.
Freedom of the fort	Officer cadets are equal independently of their year. They are also allowed to remove their headgear.
Jacket exchange	CMR Director of Cadets exchanges tunics with I Year Officer Cadet at CMR Christmas Dinner.
Just passing by	When a graduate of the CMR pilots an aircraft in the vicinity of Saint-Jean, Quebec, he or she conducts an impromptu airshow over the college.
Obstacle course race	gruelling course for recruits set up by the cadets' immediate predecessors, memorialized by a sculpture
Old 18	First year cadets are required to memorize the names of the first class in the order of their college numbers.
Old Brigade	Alumni who entered military college 50 or more years before wear unique berets and ties, have the Right of the Line on reunion weekend memorial parades, and present the college cap badge to the first-year cadets on the First Year Badging Parade. Each class traditionally marks its 50-year anniversary and entry into the Old Brigade with a gift.
Shouldering professors	at closing exercises, cadets carried professors around the room
Skylarks	annual class practical joke or prank e.g. "The Great Plane Robbery" 1957; A cadet drove the CMR Rempart zamboni on Gouin Boulevard in July 1984.
Sweetheart brooch	officer cadets gave their dates an enamel brooch in lieu of a corsage for formal dances at Christmas and graduation. The museum retains several examples.

Commandants

With college numbers and rank held as commandant

Name	Year	Significance	Photo
H11171 Colonel Marcelin L. Lahaie, DSO, CD	1952–1957	First Commandant of RMC Saint-Jean. The Lahaie Pavilion, built in 1972, named in his honour.	Lahaie Building at RMCSJ
Group Captain Jean G. Archambault, AFC, CD	1957–1960
Captain J.A.T. Marcel Jetté, CD	1960–1963
H12481 Colonel J. Armand Ross, DSO, CD (Honorary 1975)	1963–1966	Brigadier General Armand Ross's DSO was for his actions at Zutphen, Netherlands
Colonel Roland Antoine Reid, C.M., C.V.O., MC, CD, ADC	1966–1968	Brigadier-General (Ret'd) Roland Reid was Founding president of Canadian Battlefields Foundation
H12882 Colonel Jacques Chouinard, CD, ADC (Honorary 1973)	1968–1970
H14129 Colonel Gérard Charles Édouard Thériault CD, ADC (Honorary 1975)	1970–1971	As General, he served as Chief of the Defence Staff from 1983 to 1986. He was President of AEG Canada Inc. 1986–1995.
3814 & H12478 Brigadier-General Jean-Paul A. (Jack) Cadieux, CD, ADC (RMC 1957)	1971–1973
Colonel J. Arthur R. Vandal, CD, ADC	1973–1975
4377 Lieutenant General Richard J. Evraire, CD (CMR/RMC 1959)	1975–1978	In 2012, he was added to the wall of honour at the Royal Military College of Canada
3759 Colonel Charles-Eugène Savard, OMM, CD, ADC (CMR 1957)	1978–1981
5359 Colonel (Ret'd) J. Yvon Durocher, CD, ADC (CMR/RMC 1962)	1981–1983
5643 Colonel (Ret'd) Rudolphe J. Parent, OMM, CD, ADC (CMR/RMC 1963)	1983–1986
6116 Colonel (Ret'd) J.L.H. Claude Archambault, OMM, CD, ADC (CMR/RMC 1964)	1986–1989
H7860 Brigadier-General (ret`d) Senator Roméo Dallaire (CMR RMC 1969)	1989–1991	Senator, educator, author
6496 Brigadier-General (Ret'd) Charles J.C.A. Émond CD (CMR/RMC 1965)	1991–1994
8738 Colonel (Ret'd) J.Marcel Parisien (CMR RMC 1971)	1995
12603 Colonel J.U. François Pion OMM, CD (RMC 1980)	2007–2010
14154 Col Guy Maillet, CD (CMR/RMC 1983)	2010–2013
17312 Colonel M.A.J. (Jennie) Carignan, OMM MSM, CD (RMC 1986–1990)	2013–2015	2009–2010 First woman in Canadian Forces history to command a combat arms unit in theater, Task Force Kandahar Engineer Regiment – Afghanistan 2011 – The Women's Executive Network – Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women – (Xstrata Nickel Trailblazers & Trendsetters Award)
18562 Colonel Simon Bernard (CMR 1993)	2015–2017	Developed the Chief Warrant Officer Robert-Osside Profession of Arms Institute
18087 Colonel Gervais Carpentier CD(CMR/RMC 1992)	2017–2019	In the fall of 2018, RMC Saint-Jean started offering the International Studies program, reintroducing university programs at RMC Saint-Jean
20830 Colonel Nicolas Joseph Jean-Louis Pilon, MSM, CD (RMC 1996)	2019-

Hall of Fame

Royal Military College Saint-Jean inaugurated its Hall of Fame on 7 September 2013. Potential candidates must have studied at, been employed as a member of the faculty or staff at, or have had a notable involvement with Royal Military College Saint-Jean over the course of its existence since 1952. The Hall of Fame contributors include the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean Ex-Cadet Foundation, the Class of 1963 and the Fort Saint-Jean Branch of the RMC Club.

Plaque Presented to Royal Military College Saint-Jean by ex-cadet club 8 October 1977

Student #	Name	Induction
H7543	Honourable Joseph A. Day, Senator,	2013
12320	General (retired) Walt Natynczyk	2013
4377	Lieutenant-General (retired) Richard Evraire	2013
H15198	professor Jacques Castonguay, former Royal Military College Saint-Jean Principal,	2013
H7860	Lieutenant-General (retired) the Honourable Roméo A. Dallaire Senator	2013

Alumni

Shown with college numbers.

Student #	Name	College Year	Significance
7861	Lieutenant-General Senator Roméo Dallaire, OC, CMM, GOQ, MSC, BSc	CMR RMC	Senator, Former Commander of UN Mission to Rwanda, author of Shake Hands with the Devil and They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children.
8276	Doctor Marc Garneau CC, CD, PhD, F.C.A.S.I., MP	CMR RMC 1970	Canadian astronaut aboard space shuttles Challenger and Endeavour, logged nearly 700 hours in space; NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 1997,
5105	Doctor Jack Granatstein OC, PhD, LL.D., F.R.S.C.	CMR RMC 1961	Canadian historian
9573	Steven MacLean	CMR 1973	Canadian astronaut
4393	Doctor Desmond Morton, OC, CD, FRSC, PhD	CMR RMC 1959	Canadian historian
12320	General Walter Natynczyk OMM, MSC, CD	CMR RRMC 1979	Chief of the Defence Staff; Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-National Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom
8356	Guy Saint-Pierre	CMR 1970	Businessman, politician
H12878	Colonel(ret) Jean Berthiaume, OBE, CD	CMR 1952	First Administrative Director at the CMR, Commandant of the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, Chief of Staff of the ONUC mission in 1960, Commandant of the Quebec Western District
18095	Sylvain Charlebois, PhD	CMR RMC 1992	Canadian Researcher

Faculty

Roch Carrier in 2006

• Roch Carrier, author of Le Chandail de hockey or The Hockey Sweater, and later National Librarian of Canada.
• Jacques Castonguay
• Janine Krieber, wife of former Liberal Party leader Stéphane Dion.

In fiction and popular culture

The College's central place in Canadian military circles has made it the setting for novels, plays, films and other cultural works.

• 4377 Lt. Gen. Richard J. Evraire, CD (CMR/RMC 1959) wrote the play Chambre 204 (Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu: Editions Mille Roches, 1982) inspired by his time at the Royal Military College Saint-Jean.

Coat of arms and flag

• 

  Heraldic shield of RMC Saint-Jean

• 

  Flag of RMC Saint-Jean

Coat of arms of Royal Military College Saint-Jean

Crest A dexter arm embowed vambraced and gauntleted proper holding a sprig of three maple leaves Or all ensigned by the Royal Crown proper Escutcheon Azure two swords in saltire Argent hilts and pommels Or surmounted by an open book proper bound and edged Or all between two maple leaves in pale and two fleurs-de-lis in fess Or, on a chief Argent three mural crowns Azure masoned Or Motto Vérité Devoir Vaillance Symbolism This motto is used by Canadian military colleges. The structure of the crest is typical of Canadian military colleges, this one distinguished by the torse's colours and the gold maple leaves.

Books

• H15198 Dr. Jacques Castonguay "Pourquoi a-t-on fermé le Collège militaire de Saint-Jean?" Montreal, Art Global, 2005
• H15198 Dr. Jacques Castonguay "Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean" Meridien 1989
• H15198 Dr. Jacques Castonguay "Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean: une université à caractère différent" Septentrion, 1992 ISBN 2-921114-78-X, 9782921114783
• H15198 Jacques Castonguay "The unknown Fort, Editions du Levrier" 1966
• H15198 Jacques Castonguay "Le Defile 1952–1972 College Militaire Royal de St Jean 20th Anniversary Yearbook" 1972
• H15198 Jacques Castonguay "Les defies du Fort Saint-Jean, Editions du Richelieu" 1975
• Peter J.S. Dunnett, "Royal Roads Military College 1940–1990, A Pictorial Retrospective" (Royal Roads Military College, Victoria, British Columbia, 1990)
• 4377 Colonel Richard J. Evraire, CD (CMR/RMC 1959) "Chambre 204" (Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu: Editions Mille Roches, 1982)
• Jean-Yves Gravel. "La fondation du Collège militaire royale de Saint Jean." Revue d'histoire de l'amérique française 27, no. 2 (sept. 1973).
• H16511 Dr. Richard A. Preston "To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College since the Second World War", Ottawa, University of Ottawa Press, 1991.
• H16511 Dr. Richard A. Preston, "Canada's Royal Military College: A History of the Royal Military College" Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 1969.
• 4669 Toivo Roht (CMR RMC 1960) "Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, Royal Roads Military College and Royal Military College of Canada 1955–2006" 2007
• H1877 R. Guy C. Smith (editor) "As You Were! Ex-Cadets Remember" In 2 Volumes. Volume I: 1876–1918. Volume II: 1919–1984. Royal Military College of Canada Kingston, Ontario. The Royal Military Colleges Club of Canada 1984

See also

• Canadian Military Colleges
  • Royal Military College of Canada
  • Royal Roads Military College
• Royal Naval College of Canada
• Canadian Interuniversity Sport
• Canadian government scientific research organizations
• Canadian university scientific research organizations
• Canadian industrial research and development organizations

External links

• Royal Military College Saint-Jean
• Fondation des Anciens du CMR de S^t-Jean (in French)