It has been a long grueling few months for members of the RMC Kingston and RMC Saint-Jean Military Skills Teams. Early mornings and many late evenings training to compete at the Annual West Point Sandhurst Competition. Their hard work, determination, and teamwork proved valuable as both Canadian Teams placed in the top 5 out of 48 competing teams from around the world.
The RMC Kingston and RMC Saint Jean MilSkills teams are supported by the Class of 1964. In 2023 the RMC Kingston MilSkills team approached the RMC Alumni Association with an additional case for support. The team was training using standard issue ruck sacks that were, for lack of a better term, tearing the skin off of their backs during the high level training they were doing. The team was also in need of spotting scopes to increase their long distance shooting proficiency. The RMC Alumni Association immediately jumped into action. We knew that funding from the Class of 1964 was exhausted, so we approached the Class of 1969 for the additional funding needed. The Class of 1969 was happy to help with this additional funding request to purchase high performance ruck sacks and the spotting scopes the teams needed.
The funding provided by our Alumni is a true testament of how you contribute to the overall success of our specialized teams, athletes, and academic scholars. With your help this allows our future leaders to compete on the international stage at the highest level. Without your continued support we would not be able to provide the additional kit, travel funding, or registration fees etc. that the current DND budget cannot provide for the Officer and Naval Cadets of the Colleges. Thank you for your continued support. Donations are still needed to help us fund the 2024/2025 requests for Military Training.
Please show your support by donating here: https://www.rmcalumni.ca/en/donate-today/military-training/
Competition Results
The two day competition started on Friday 26 April at 6:35am, after qualifying results were tabulated RMC Kingston would start in 2nd place and RMC Saint-Jean 19th.
Day one was grueling for both Canadian Teams, but that didn’t stop our drive. RMC Saint-Jean showed incredible spirit and determination moving from a start of 19th to 5th place, and RMC Kingston finishing in 1st place in Day 1.
Day 2 started on Saturday April 27 with another early morning at 6am. The final day in the two day competition and both Canadian teams we ready to run through the finish line. After two long physically and emotionally exhausting days, it all would come down to the final few points that separated the winners. The awards ceremony was live streamed from West Point and Alumni and fellow supporters sat on the edge of our seats waiting to hear the results.
The First award announced was the Most Lethal Squad Award. The award combines the total score for teams in the M4 and M17 shooting phase of the competition. The most Lethal Squad Award went to RMC Kingston. The shooting scopes provided by the Class of 1969 funding helped the team be better equipped to compete against other International Teams.
The next award for Best International Team went to RMC Kingston.
The final results were incredible with RMC Kingston only 2 points away from 1st place and RMC Saint Jean placing 5th in the final out of 48 International Teams.
The RMC Alumni Association is so proud of our teams!
History:
The Annual Sandhurst competition started in 1967 when the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK presented USMA with a British officer’s sword to use as the prize for a competition promoting military excellence.
Since 1986, each MilSkills team selects an 11-member squad (at least two female members) with two alternates. Each squad is required to perform a series of military tasks along a route which took most teams approximately four hours to complete. Scores are determined by combining the points they earn by performing each military task along the route, with the points earned for completing the course within the 4-hour time frame. Examples of events include rappelling, building and crossing a one-rope bridge, obstacle course navigation, combat swim (with full gear), rifle marksmanship, a raft paddle, 12′ wall climb, and weapon handling skills. This year’s weapons events were held the evening prior to the course navigation phase. In 2005, Britain’s Prince Harry visited West Point and participated in the competition as a Sandhurst cadet. In 2014, Sandhurst Blue from RMAS won the competition.
Since 2006 the RMC Kingston team has won the event 4 times (2006, 2007,2009, 2016).
Very well done. We are all proud! A great competition between USMA and RMC-Kingston.
That is really impressive. We may not spend our requistive amount on our military (having inadequate packs and scopes is telling), but even with this smaller outlay, Canada seems to produce a very high quality product.
And beating West Point and USAFA too. Well done.
Now if I could only erase the memory of losses to USAFA, and especially the drubbing I took in 1977 at the hands of West Point in their barn.
10950 DM Hall, Class of 1877 or 1977
Awesome!! You represented our country very well. Incredible feat. Thank you for your tenacity.
Congratulations to all of tge Cadets and their Leadersip/Mentors!
Unfortunately, this story reads all too true from my time serving. Properly equipped, we cannot be matched (RMC and by extension the CF).
Best of luck to all these future leaders on their journey.