A hearty congratulations to you all! All your hard work and studying has paid off. You are now graduates of the Royal Military Colleges of Canada. This is something important to be very proud of. You have succeeded in passing challenges that will hold you in good stead for the complex life that is out there in the world – whether military or civilian.
Our Class of ’79 entered the Colleges 51 years ago during the Cold War. The parallels to today’s world are shocking – those lessons were supposed to have been learned. Authoritarianism and wide-spread conflict. The global power balance is shifting – with threats of climate change, trade conflicts, and pandemics added on top.
What we found is that our education and training at RMC and RMCSJ (and Royal Roads back then) gave us an excellent compass to navigate these difficult and complex landscapes. Now it is your turn!
Take your lessons from the College and your summer training, as well as the wisdom from the Resilience Plus Letters that you received from our Class and others, to attack the hurdles that await you. Use what you have learned to make wise decisions with the help of your teams.
Canada is embarking on a national effort (not seen since the Second World War) to strengthen our sovereignty and bolster our independence. This will include making bold investments in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) – unifying, modernizing, and defending our country including the Arctic. Your Class will be at the forefront of the renewal of the officer corps – you will be joining the CAF, heading off to important postings, and dealing with the complex problems of our time. And you couldn’t be more ready! TDV!
Canadians need you — now more than ever. Thank you for your service and the wonderful years to come in the Canadian military – and civilian life (whichever you choose). Lead your troops well, learn the new battlespace, and do Canada proud.
RMC Class of ‘79