Jennifer Causey RMC 1999: Defying Inertia
Jennifer led soldiers early in her career, as most military officers do. As a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant, she was responsible for a platoon of thirty soldiers, their training, well‑being, readiness, and equipment worth more than most people’s homes. She arrived competent and eager, but cautious. She was also one of very few women in her unit, and the second female officer to ever serve there. Blending in was never going to be an option.
Sandra Perron: A Life of Service, Courage, and Unbreakable Resolve
Sandra Perron’s legacy is not defined solely by being “the first.” It is defined by what she made possible. Women now serve as infantry officers in Canada, and others have gone on to command troops in combat. Senior leaders have since acknowledged that Perron should have been recognized and supported, rather than resisted. Her career stands as both a triumph of resilience and a reminder of the work that remains.
Reaching for the Stars: Extraordinary Astronauts from the Royal Military College
From pioneering journeys to groundbreaking research, RMC’s astronaut alumni continue to elevate Canada’s presence on the world stage. Their extraordinary accomplishments serve as a source of pride and inspiration, encouraging new generations to reach for the stars. As missions like Artemis II and the International Space Centre endeavor unfold, the influence of RMC and the Canadian Military Colleges remains a guiding force in humanity’s quest to explore the universe.
Trailblazers Across the Decades: 45 Years of Women at Canada’s Military Colleges
To mark the 45th anniversary of women joining the Canadian Military Colleges, we convened an extraordinary panel of alumnae—each representing a different decade of progress since those first pioneering women arrived in 1980. Their careers span logistics, intelligence, combat engineering, aviation, and international operations. Their reflections offer a rare, decade-by-decade portrait of how life at the Colleges—and within the Canadian Armed Forces—has evolved.
October is Women’s History Month: Celebrating progress and achievements in defence and beyond
We are honoured to work with so many women, both military members and public servants, who continue to break down barriers by taking on important and challenging roles in national security, search and rescue, and natural disaster response. Who knows where the next generation of women in the Defence Team will lead us?
Officer Cadet Daryl Tremain became the first woman to be appointed Cadet Wing Commander in 1986
Ocdt Tremain also became the first woman to be presented the Van der Smissen Ridout Memorial, awarded to the graduating Regular Officer Training Plan naval or officer cadet attaining highest standards in each of the four pillars of the the Royal Military College programme.
Captain Sharon Lynn Donnelly RMC 1990, became RMC’s inaugural recipient of the Kelly Gawne Memorial Cup
In 1989, Captain Sharon Lynn Donnelly became RMC’s inaugural recipient of the Kelly Gawne Memorial Cup, awarded annually to the best all-around female athlete at RMC.
The first women’s cohort at Canada’s military colleges learned that changing laws are not synonymous with changing culture—and those same issues apply today
I persevered because I knew that walking away would make it easy to conclude that the “experiment of women cadets hadn’t worked.” But it ran deeper than that. I also stayed to prove to myself and everyone else that I was smart enough, strong enough, and “good” enough to be a valuable contributing member in a traditionally male-dominated world. Sadly, I carried the belief for decades that I needed to prove I was “one of the boys” to add value in my work environments and my world. It took time for me to learn to be comfortable in my skin and with my own way of interacting with the world.
RMC Trailblazers: A Conversation with Major Jaemok Lee on His Journey (So Far) and the Importance of Service, Resilience and Trust
From the rugby field to multinational operations, Jaemok Lee exemplifies leadership built on resilience, service, and trust—an example for the next generation of Canadian Armed Forces officers.
Special Honour for Distinguished Alumnus – Larry Ashley RMC 1959
On Saturday August 9, 2025, Lieutenant-General (Retd) Larry Ashley was honoured by being named one of Parks Canada’s Hometown Heroes in a ceremony held at the Shearwater Aviation Museum in the presence of a host of dignitaries, family members and friends.
