RMC Cadets get familiar with the “Hornet”
Article by 24620 (III) OCdt Harbottle – OPI F18 Visit
On May 2nd, Air Force cadets from RMC were treated to an introduction to fighter pilot life and a quick overview of the machine by 21734 Capt. Benoit “BOUCH” Bouchard (RMC 2000) and 22760 Capt. Lorne “CHERRY” Claymore (RMC 2004).
During the morning cadets were given briefings on life in the training system, Hornet capabilities, life in an operational fighter squadron, and Capt. Bouchard’s deployment to Afghanistan as a Forward Air Controller.
The afternoon consisted on a visit to Kingston where pilots were available to answer any questions and participants could explore the aircraft.
This event was open to any cadets or persons affiliated with RMC. Cadets were eager to hear the experienced pilots share their experience and explore the machines close up.
Here’s what some cadets had to say about the day:
“I think that the visit of the CF 18 was very useful for those who were interested in becoming pilots. It showed a good idea if someone wanted to take the CF 18 as an future aircraft.The visit helped me a little bit on my determination of the type of the aircraft I want to pilot. I would need the same kind of activity for the other aircraft to make a good decision.”
– 25438 (I) Bobby Vincent
“Was great – lots of useful info for future reference. I’ve always wanted jet, so I guess visits like this just help solidify that and are really encouraging too, especially hearing about these pilots first hand experiences with the training system and such.”
-24600 (III) Ilona Corbin
“I really enjoyed the CF-18 visit. The showing of the CF-18 was excellent and very entertaining. Also, the briefings were very informative. The visit of the CF-18 strengthened my desire to fly the CF-18 as a career. I am in debate between fast jet and twin propeller; however, the CF-18 visit leaned me strongly toward flying the Hornet.”
-25442 (I) Jason Berndt
“I really enjoyed the briefing and found it very informative and motivational. It made me certain that I would like to be a fighter pilot.”
-25372 (I) Dustin Taylor
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Wanted: A few (more) good pilots
Posted By IAN ELLIOT – Kingston Whig Standard – May 4, 2009
Of all the occupational hazards facing Canadian fighter pilots, you’d think getting blown up by an improvised explosive device (IED) would rank pretty far down on the list.
Not for Capt. Benoit Bouchard. The Westbrook native and Ecole Marie-Riviere and Royal Military College grad, who flew one of two CF-18s into Kingston’s Norman Rogers Airport to drum up interest in the fighter pilot trade among current RMC cadets this weekend, usually spends his time thousands of feet above such hazards.
But during a recent seven-month posting to Afghanistan as a forward air controller, directing bombs to be dropped by other planes, the light armoured vehicle in which he was riding was struck by a roadside bomb. This doesn’t usually happen to people who the military has spent $10 million training to be pilots.
“I was thinking at the time, what kind of a fighter pilot gets hit by an IED?” the relaxed Bouchard joked on the tarmac of Norman Rogers as cadets climbed in and out of the cockpits of the two jets parked there.
Read the rest of the article HERE…
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RMC Yacht Club perform well at West Point Regatta
Article by 25231 (II) Jen Bowen
This past weekend, the RMCYC sailing team travelled to the United States Military Academy at West Point to compete in a two on two team racing competition. Upon arrival, the team was roomed with members of the Army sailing team, allowing for friendly interaction between the two teams, a constant throughout the weekend. The regatta itself took place on the Hudson River, which, with its strong current and constantly changing wind direction and strength, provided a change of setting for many of the teams present. The inconsistent conditions required quick responses on the water. Not only were basic adjustments necessary to maintain speed, but a change in tactics had to occur as well. The latter helped RMC stand out at the competition, since the application of team racing rules and previous experience were present throughout each leg of the races during the day. Along with this, the RMC team was also able to demonstrate a high level of teamwork, since the given type of regatta incorporated a scoring system that required both boats in a team to finish before at least one of the other team’s. This meant that it was sometimes necessary for one of the boats to loop back and confront the other team in order to allow their teammates to take the lead. On the occasions that this did happen, the RMC sailing team still displayed excellent sportsmanship in that they were never deliberately malicious. Any infringements that did occur were protested appropriately and resolved on the water. The most impressive race of the weekend for RMC was at the end of the regatta. After having won some and lost others, the team was unfortunately not in the running for first. Instead, the Army sailing team was tied with the Webb University of New York for said position. After a tough rotation, the Army team finished with only one loss, which was the same for Webb, who had one race left. This last race was against the RMC team, and was critical to Army since it would determine if a tie breaker was necessary. With good luck wishes from the Army team, RMC competed in a very close race, managing to carefully employ tactics that lead to a final victory for the team for this season. Not only did this help the Army team win, but it also left a good impression on the other teams who were unable to beat Webb. The RMC sailing team had the opportunity to participate in a fast-paced, competitive weekend that not only proved to be educational for the newer members of the team, but further fostered a positive relationship with other teams of the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association. Participants were: Tom Eagle, Emma Lunde, Jen Bowen, Tom Eagle and Joey Rotchford.
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2009 Assaut Graduation Ball
Article by 24712 (III) Brent Fisher
Last week, two third year naval cadets were sent to the Netherlands for six days as part of a foreign delegation attending the annual Assaut Graduation Ball at the Royal Netherlands Naval Academy. NCdts 24712 Brent Fisher and 24649 Kayla MacMillan, along with members from Naval Colleges in Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, and Poland, were hosted by a small group of Dutch Midshipman, and shown various aspects of the country. In addition to turning all eyes at the grad ball by wearing their popular scarlet order of dress, they had the opportunity to see the capital Amsterdam by day and by night. They were also able to visit a tall ship from the age of sail as well as a modern Dutch vessel. One of the central ideas of the exchange was the opportunity to share stories of Canadian culture and of the Navy’s training system, and to learn about those systems from fellow NATO allies. This once in a lifetime opportunity not only allowed RMC and the Navy to be represented abroad, but allowed these two cadets to forge foreign friendships that will surely last throughout their careers in the CF.
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RMC Clean-Up: Kingston’s Annual Spring Clean-Up Received Some Reinforcements
CKWS – May 04, 2009
RMC students went park to park with rake and bag in hand…getting tough on trash with military precision.
Click HERE to see the video (Note: loading may take a minute)
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Game a blast from the past
Baseball fundraiser uses rules and equipment (or lack thereof) from the 1870s, when the game was first played in the Kingston area
Posted By JORDAN PRESS, Kingston Whig Standard
This wasn’t a typical baseball field.
Bales of hay for a backstop. Flour used to mark foul lines and the “batter’s box.” No gloves, a ball that warped after being struck by a bat that looked and felt more like a table leg.
A really old-fashioned game of baseball took place at Royal Military College on the weekend, a game that was more than 130 years in the making.
The vintage baseball games played Saturday were the first ones organized locally and replicated the first games of baseball played in Kingston in 1872, more than a decade before the first organized hockey game.
The event was part of a cadet-led fundraiser for the city’s PRO Kids program, which helps underprivileged children take part in recreational programs. Donations from the day and from a cadet softball tournament the previous weekend raised more than $5,500.
Click HERE for the rest of the article…
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Pictured Alan Morgan receiving his award from A/Commandant – Commander Rich.
Recreation Club Volunteer of the Year: Ocdt Alan Morgan
Article by Christine Powers, Recreation and Intramural Manager
On Wednesday, 6 May a breakfast was held at the SSM for Executive members of the RMC Recreation clubs. The purpose of this annual event is to recognize their contributions to their respective clubs throughout the year.
Once again, an award was presented for the Recreation Club Volunteer of the Year. This award is presented annually to an Officer-Cadet who has demonstrated leadership, commitment and has made a significant contribution to their respective recreation club.
Cette année, nous avons reçu de très bonnes nominations et suite à une décision difficile, l’élof IV Alan Morgan (Esc 11) a été nommé bénévole de l’année pour son implication avec le club d’astronomie. As President of the Astronomy club, Alan revived the club this year by organizing several field trips to Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec and in the Kingston area. Alan- kept his executive busy this year but it was worth it because as a result of his hard work and leadership, the Astronomy club membership doubled from last year. As if he wasn’t busy enough with the astronomy club, Alan also oversaw the tennis portion of the Racquet club this year.
Finally, the RMC Athletic Department would like to thank the club presidents and supervisors for their hard work this past year.
Sincères remerciements pour votre contribution en tant que membre de votre exécutif !
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24354 Alan Morgan connected with Bill Oliver to talk about – RMC, his future, joining the Astronomy Club in I Year, his strong views on college traditions and a few other things…
What motivated you to join the Astronomy club? When did you join?
As all first years, I was escorted to RECSPO in the usual FYOP manner, unawhere of where I was going or why. I was then thrust in front of more more Senior (and Scary) OCdt’s, that attempted to grasp the attention of as many first years as possible. However, having braved the street markets of Egypt before, I soon found the courage to say no to the haggling of III and IV year Club Presidents. As I walked by all of the Clubs’ tables, one had caught my eye. After speaking to the then President of the Astronomy Club, I realized that I did not know anything about Astronomy, or the Skies above that permeate 50% of our visual horizon. In an attempt to rectify my ignorance, I signed up for the Astronomy Club.
What are your 2 or 3 best memories being involved with the Astronomy club?
My best memory with the Astronomy Club by far was early this semester, when I looked at the Orion Nebula through the 16″ Meade Telescope permanently mounted on sawyer – Class Gift of 1970. The colour, and clarity was unlike anything I had ever seen before. And now with the new Meade eyepieces the Astronomy Club has purchased this year, the 16″ far out-ranks anything in both the Physics Department, and Astronomy Club Arsenals.
The Second best memory, is teaching people about astronomy, and the importance of learning astronomy. The ground we’ve mapped, the sea we’ve sailed, the sky we’ve flown, and there is only up from here. For something so fundamental to technological developments, exploration, and the understanding of all sciences, I am awe-stricken that the average individual cannot pick out just one constellation. My motivation, and passion for Astronomy, comes from that one moment when someone learns of, or sees something they have never seen before, and the only word they can muster to express the way they feel is, “Wow!”
My third best memory is the comradery I share with my executive, and the members of the Astronomy Club. Everything the Club has come to be today, is only a reflection of their support, and hard work throughout the year. I have made life-long friends in the Astronomy Club, and will never forget all of the times we have spent together, whether it be freezing at -25 while peering through the I.O. Observatory in Quebec trying to get a glimpse of Titan, or the Annual star-gaze Trip to Dr. Buckley’s cozy Sharbott Lake Cabin.
What are you studying at RMC? What is your MOC?
I am and Aerospace Controller (Destined for Air Weapons) graduating RMC with an MSS degree.
Where are you off to following graduation?
After graduation I will be posted to North Bay for 3-4 months to do a distance learning course, after which I will be posted to Cornwall in order to start basic Aerospace Control Training which should last 8-12 months.
How is the RMC tennis tournament going?
The First-Ever (Some ex-Cadet’s may correct me?) Intra-RMC Competition is going swingingly. This Friday 07 May is the Semi-Finals, and the tournament will culminate on Sunday 09 May with the Finals.
What are your favourite memories about RMC – not including your involvement with Recreation Clubs
My favorite memories of RMC, are participating in the traditions. The traditions are what set asides RMC from the rest of society, and gives Cadet’s the comradery, courage, and strength to carry out their duty’s both at the College and throughout their Careers. I will never forget, when an Ex-Cadet gave his testimonial of a the worst near-death experience I had ever heard, and finished with, “and the only thing I could think of was: at least it’s not bad as FYOP.” Unfortunately, having lived through the old “Disco 5” blue College uniform, all the way through to the new Black with Red-Piping College uniform, I know that many of the traditions that I have cherished oh so much, will be lost with this graduating year. Some traditions, such as the Arch, FYOP, and Copper Sunday are nearly carved in stone (truly for the arch), however others, such as the defence of the Boat when other squadrons ring their bell (Which was cracked and removed, and is now being restored as the 4th year class project so the tradition may continue), and the flying of “Get out of here while you can” banners as new recruits enter the College, are in severe danger of being lost forever. Countless others have already been lost, as there is no written record in order to carry on the traditions at the college.
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RMC Astronomy Club reaching for the stars so to speak
Article by 25488 Angela Dey
Did you know that Kingston was the location of the first astronomical observatory in Ontario? This interesting fact, as well as many others was discovered my the members of the RMC Astronomy Club during their trip to the local Kingston area on Saturday February 28, 2009.
Over a tasty dinner at the Grizzly Grill, club members discussed some of the areas of astronomical interest in Kingston. In addition to the first observatory (originally located in City Park), Kingston features the Churchill Park sundial, a monument in recognition of Kingston’s 300th and Copernicus’ 500th birthdays, a meteor-impact crater just outside in the town of Holleford made 450-650 million years ago, the observatory at Queens, and of course, RMC’s own observatory, both with 16″ telescopes.
After dinner the group headed to the Queens campus for the ‘hands on’ part of the night. The first stop was the Miller Hall geology museum where the curator, Mark Badham, gave an interesting presentation on the history of the earth, complete with minerals, rocks and fossils. Although not directly astronomy related, we are reminded that when looking at the stars and star clusters we may be witnessing the creation of other planets of our own, a beginning that for us can only be seen in the ground beneath out feet.
From the museum, James Stirling, a student who occasionally works at RMC, took over. On the way to the next hall he gave the group a quick peek into the CFRC 101.9 FM studio, Canada’s longest continuously broadcasting radio station. Their astronomy show is on Mondays at 11:30 am, called Astrarium. From there, a visit to Stirling Hall, the Physics and Astronomy department location, revealed a display of the telescopes from the original observatory, as well as a Focault pendulum.
The final stop of the night was the Queen’s Ellis Hall Observatory itself. The group braved a cold, windy -19 degree night and enjoyed a view of the moon as well as the constellation Orion. In addition, Queens also has an observation deck where several mounts are installed for night or day-time viewings with smaller telescopes. Queen’s holds the open houses for all on the second Saturday of each month for anyone interested.
Fortunate to have such good viewing conditions, the trip was a success, with members leaving with a greater appreciation of the astronomical attractions in such a small town as Kingston. Special thanks goes to IV Morgan for driving, and a general reminder goes out to all staff and students at RMC that RMC also hosts frequent open houses- keep checking your messages!
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(M) Rugby Update – Word out of the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is that (M) Rugby will be reduced by two teams this upcoming season. Both University of Windsor and Trent have made internal decisions to cut their programs. The league will consist of eight teams. RMC will play a seven game league schedule.
(M) Rugbywrapped up their year with an awards banquet recently. Major award winners were:
Phil Cowie Award & MVP: Matt McLeod top (L); Most Improved: Steve Juillet; Back of the year: Brent McIntyre (2nd (L); and Forward of the year: Josh Whiteside (3rd left). At press time we were waiting for more photos.