RMC Trailblazers: A Conversation with Jamie Speiser-Blanchet about Resilience, Curiosity, and the Future of the RCAF
We sat down in early June with Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet to discuss her journey from Officer Cadet at RMC to newly-appointed Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Hers is a story of firsts, of leadership forged through experience, and of a commitment to growth—in herself and in those she leads.
Graduating from RMC in 1994 with a degree in computer engineering, Speiser-Blanchet went on to earn her pilot wings in 1996. She served as a tactical helicopter pilot on the CH-146 Griffon, with operational deployments to Haiti and Bosnia, and later led 403 Squadron as Commanding Officer. Her diverse career spans the operational and strategic—from frontline flying to senior roles at 1 Canadian Air Division and the Office of the Minister of National Defence.
Capt Amanda Alves (RMC 2021) Finishes in Top 15 of Miss Universe Canada Competition
Capt Ales is the first ever Regular Force member to compete in Miss Universe Canada and is an Aerospace Engineering Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. As a delegate in this year’s competition, she is promoting youth engagement in STEM and sports, and is sharing her journey in the Canadian Armed Forces. With eight years of service, her career in the CAF has allowed her to pursue her dreams in the field of space while also continuing her passion for sports by playing at the national level on the CAF’s sports teams.
Assistant Deputy Minister (Digital Services Group) Mr. Ross Ermel, RRMC RMC 1989
Shared from: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/organizational-structure/digital-services-group-dsg/biography.html Ross Ermel assumed the role of Assistant Deputy Minister (Digital Services) (ADM (DS)) and Defence Chief Digital Officer (DCDO) for the Department of National Defence /Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF) on May 1st, 2024. Leading the newly established Digital Services Group (DSG), he brings a wealth of military and public service experience, having been selected for his vision, dedication,…
Alumni Company Highlight – Top Aces
Founded in 2000 by former fighter pilots who identified an opportunity to improve military readiness training, Top Aces has grown to become the world leader in contracted adversary air (ADAIR) services and joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) training.
From Bosnia to Canada, a story of survival, family, service, and sacrifice
Major Boris Trudel (RMC 2015) was just a toddler when he was rescued during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. After being mistaken as deceased, Canadian Armed Forces personnel saw Boris move and discovered that he was miraculously still alive. His biological mother made the heartbreaking decision to entrust him to CAF Master Warrant Officer…
Out Standing, the story of Sandra Perron, Canada’s first female infantry officer, in theatres September 26 2025
Like Perron’s acclaimed book, director Mélanie Charbonneau’s film adaptation pulls no punches when it comes to depicting a system that paid lip service to change yet remained an inequitable and frequently hostile environment for women. Yet for all of the film’s power as a broader critique, Out Standing succeeds first and foremost as a riveting portrait of a person whose outward tenacity masks deeper reservoirs of anger and vulnerability, all of which are brought to the screen with remarkable force by Nina Kiri.
Ottawa Branch Golf Tournament
Our sincere thanks for once again making this annual fundraising tournament an outstanding success. We were blessed once again with fabulous weather and excellent support from the Greensmere Golf Club team. We had another outstanding turnout of 178 attendees including a full field (plus) of 160 golfers. Notably, 156 of these 178 attendees were alumni…
Celebrating 25 Years of Service: Mary Darlington
This year, the Royal Military Colleges of Canada Alumni Association proudly celebrates a remarkable milestone: Mary Darlington’s 25th anniversary with the organization.
7th Annual Battle of the Classes
In 2019 the RMC Alumni Association launched the Battle of the Classes Challenge. The idea was to gather support for the Colleges for all projects while giving credit to Class Cumulative Giving. The Challenge was a huge success and in just four months more than $375,000 was raised for our future leaders. The Class of 1970 was crowned our first Champion with total cumulative donations of over $100,000.
En 2019, l’Association des ancien(ne)s des CMR a organisé le premier défi Bataille des promotions. L’idée derrière cette activité était de recueillir des fonds pour les projets des collèges et de souligner les dons cumulatifs de promotions. Le défi a connu beaucoup de succès et en un mois seulement, plus de 375 000 $ ont été recueillis pour nos futurs dirigeants. La promotion de 1970 a recueilli plus de 100 000 $ au total et a été déclarée championne!
Retracing Their Footsteps: Officer and Naval Cadets Reflect on the 2025 Mottershead Battlefield Tour
The Mottershead Battlefield Tour (MBFT) is a nine-day, non-credit history experience offered twice a year thanks to the extraordinary contribution of Ian and Rosemary Mottershead. It immerses Officer and Naval Cadets in the landscapes of two world wars—from the trenches of the Somme to the beaches of Dieppe, from Monte Cassino to Coriano Ridge, and the Falaise Gap.
Led by RMC faculty, the MBFT is more than a travel opportunity—it’s a meaningful extension of the College’s core history curriculum. It offers students a deeper understanding of the complexities of any battlefield decision and their impact in both global conflicts.
At Vimy Ridge, students stood at the edge of the preserved trenches and looked out over ground once taken at great cost. In Ortona, they walked in the footsteps of the Canadian troops that fought in 1943, from street to street and from mouse-hole to mouse-hole, with the remains of the bullets still visible on the walls around them. In each place, they encountered not only historical facts but personal legacies.
Registration for Royal Roads Homecoming closes August 29!
Time is running out to RSVP for Homecoming at Royal Roads, happening September 13–14! Join us for a weekend of connection and celebration as we honour “85 Years of Royal Roads Success”. Homecoming is your chance to reconnect with classmates, reminisce about your time on campus, and create new memories. This year’s theme celebrates our…
