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RMCC Host UN Model
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Four Days in Victoria: Highlights Aplenty
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RMC Rugby on the West Coast – A view from an Ex Cadet
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Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year – the strength of the Forces is its diversity
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PAG Getting Financial Advice
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RMCC Host UN Model Conference
By : OCdt 27495 (I) Antoine Patry
This past weekend RMC hosted their first Model UN conference where delegations from the universities of Ottawa, Ryerson, Wilfred Laurier, Queen’s, Toronto – Scarborough, Windsor, Trent, Carleton and last but not least the University of Waterloo that won the award for best delegation totalling 56 delegates.
To start the conference on Thursday night a panel discussion featuring retired and active members from three different militaries. The Panel members were Dr. Joel Sokolsky, Lieutenant-Colonel Jan van der Felsen from the German air force, Lieutenant-Colonel Matt Price from the US Army, Major Hans Christian Breede and RMC’s DCdts Lieutenant-Colonel Marc Popov. The Panel discussion was divided into two parts. In the first part panel members gave speeches regarding their experiences overseas and with international institutions such as the United Nations. The second part of the panel discussion was an open Q and A where members of all delegations asked panel members on various aspects of their jobs and military back grounds.
On the Friday the committees commenced NCdt Frank 26349 was chair of The True North Summit 2050 that addressed the cooperations and conflicts in the high north, NCdt Toor 26628 was chair for the CTF150 Maritime Security Operation committee, and OCdt Bell 26821 was chair of the Counting Bullets committee. On Friday afternoon between two committee sessions the delegates were invited to attend a military equipment display where they could see and hold military class weapons such as the C6, C7, C8, C9 and a SigSauger pistol. On Saturday all committee members had the chance to try the SAT Range and have the feel of shooting a C7A2 assault rifle.
Over all the conference which officially ended on Sunday was viewed as a great success and both chairs and delegates are looking forwards to hopefully another conference next year.
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More UN Model photos by OCDT James Howells and OCdt Mary Ann Iver – Here
More from the week that was…
Four Days in Victoria: Highlights Aplenty
By: 6464 David Harries
The RMC Men’s Rugby team travelled to Victoria to compete in the 2015 Canadian University 7 a side Rugby Championships. Five games on 6 and 7 March were always going to test the resolve of the squad but early injuries and an illness meant that RMC would be shorthanded for the majority of the tournament. Gutsy teamwork, tenacity and a willingness to follow through with the game plan, saw the men in Red and White put together a 17-10 victory against Alberta to come away with Shield trophy.
The shield was certainly the highlight of the trip, but there were many more in the extensive four days agenda.
On the flight out, the Air Canada crew connected with the team, sharing stories of relatives who had served in the Forces. An especially nice touch was the good luck announcement and applause the team received on landing into the Victoria airport.
The team travelled up to Shawnigan Lake School for a recruiting visit and a training session. Later that day a rugby alumnus arranged for and guided the team on an excellent tour of HMCS Calgary.
Supporters flew in from Ontario, Alberta and the US. The now-traditional evening social for RMC ex-cadet and rugby alumni to meet the team, and vice versa, was a great success with the highest turnout yet.
Immediately prior to RMC taking the field for their first game, the crowd was treated to a fly past by a Sea King out of Pat Bay.
Before the Shield final, Rugby Canada asked the two teams to come together facing the stands, and all spectators to rise and respect a minute of silence for Sgt Doiron, whose death in Iraq had just been made public. The silence – until the stadium announcer said thank you – was total, and emotionally powerful given how the spectators had been typically raucous right up until the call for silence.
And, the weather. For certain this writer, with a lot of Victoria time over decades, does not remember four consecutive days of almost uninterrupted sunshine. It probably did not help our rugby chances – the best teams not made less powerful by rain or wind or cold, but after the winter we have had in Kingston, the weather was a highlight on its own.
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RMC Rugby in Victoria – A view from an Ex Cadet
I wanted to take a minute to write about the College’s Rugby team, which last weekend was in Victoria for the National University 7’s championship.
My son and I travelled to the Island to see the games, and got the chance to spend time with the cadets around the event and off the pitch. I wanted to relay to you both how impressed I was with the experience.
As an ex-RRMC/RMC rugby player, I had in my head a very different series of events playing out, to put it mildly. I can’t recall being so impressed with being wrong.
On the field, the team was under-manned on arrival and injuries certainly took their toll, but I was impressed with the fact that the guys never quit working in matches and even after being relegated to the Shield group, redoubled their efforts to claim the prize. In the last match, there were no spares available yet the team gutted out a win over the U of A to top the group. A first day that was equal parts tough competition (UBC and UBC Okanagan – two very good teams) and bad luck (Mount Royal game that could have gone either way) didn’t dampen the team’s spirits and in my view fuelled the fire for a strong day two. Outside of the matches, the cadets were incredible sportsman, congratulating victors and vanquished with equal respect. They cleaned up after themselves and were the ONLY team in the event to move about as one – dressed as a team, and no stragglers. The last point in my view the most impressive given the co-ed nature of the tournament. On winning the Shield, the applause for RMC was only surpassed by that for the tournament champions and home team, UVic. I think that was indication the crowd (mostly made up of other teams) saw things as I did.
Off the field, I was equally impressed. My son (13) is hoping to attend RMC, is a rugby player and since he is much better looking than his dad, wants to be a pilot. On Saturday night the team invited us to dine with them at an ex-cadet’s house and when we arrived, a number of cadets (mostly Matt Taylor but others as well) took my son aside and spoke to him about life at RMC, what he needs to do in school and how to be prepared for the challenge of RMC. He came away more hooked on the idea than before, and to get the view of current cadets was very helpful and much appreciated.
I did not speak to the cadets much after the final match, but I got the impression from the coach that the outcome of the weekend would be a strong memory for those participating, and fuel the fire for the rest of the team. I can certainly recall a number of those events in my time at the Colleges, but also that I didn’t recognize them for what they were until much further along in my life.
I am certainly aware of the fiscal times we live in, and of the impact on College programs, but I wanted to convey my belief that the investment made in the program in general and this trip in particular has yielded some good rugby players, helped mold some excellent cadets and officers, but most importantly, has (and continues to) turn out great people, of whom the College and the CF can be immensely proud. As a voter in Calgary Southeast I’m not sure how much local feedback on the College makes it to my MP’s office – hence inclusion.
I’m looking forward to attending reunion this year and if there’s anything I can do to help the program or the College, please feel free to call on me. Except running Heartbreak Hill at RRMC – that is fully off the table.
TDV,
19987 Scott Treadwell
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Aboriginal Leadership Opportunity Year – the strength of the Forces is its diversity
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PAG Getting Financial Advice
On Monday, March 9th, PAG brought in a financial advisor from the Bank of Montreal. Cynthia Surette was very enthusiastic and provided sound financial advice. Cynthia made her presentation based on the questions that the Officer Cadets had about their own finances which created a relaxed and informative seminar.
This was the last briefing hosted by PAG for the year. If you have any topics that you want covered in a presentation for next year, please talk to your Squadron’s PAG representative!
The Peer Assistance Group (PAG) provides support for Officer Cadets, by Officer Cadets. They are available 24/7 to talk to their peers about anything from bad days to serious incidents. We are all great listeners and have extra resources if needed.
Lundi 9 mars, le GAP a invité une conseillère en finances de la banque de Montréal. Cynthia Surette était très enthousiaste et a fourni des conseils judicieux sur les finances. Cynthia a créé sa présentation en se basant sur les questions des Élèves-Officiers, ce qui créa un séminaire très relax et informatif.
Ceci était le dernier briefing du GAP pour l’année. Si vous avez d’autres sujets que vous aimeriez aborder l’année prochaine, s’il-vous-plait parlez à votre représentant d’escadron du GAP.
Le groupe d’assistance aux pairs (GAP) fournit du support pour les Élèves-Officiers, par les Élèves-Officiers. Ils sont disponibles 24h/7 pour parler à leurs pairs à propos de n’importe quoi, que ce soit une mauvaise journée ou un incident important. Nous sommes là pour vous écouter et nous avons des ressources si vous en avez besoin.