News

Die Officer Cadets Daniel Shin und Marie-Olphise Labité begannen im Jahr 2018 am Royal Military College Saint-Jean mit der Offiziersausbildung und sind beide Teilnehmer am Bachelorstudiengang International Studies. Ganz im Sinne dieses Studienganges haben die Beiden ein Auslandssemester an der Militärakademie absolviert und hier an den Lehrveranstaltungen des Internation Semesters teilgenommen.

Nachstehend präsentieren sie ihr Offiziersausbildungsstätte und schildern ihre in Österreich gemachten Erfahrungen:

The Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) gives young Canadians an opportunity to obtain both an officer’s commission in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and an undergraduate degree. Applicants who have been accepted at either of the two Canadian Military Colleges, or at another Canadian university, are enrolled in the CAF as officer/naval cadets.

The two military colleges in Canada are:

• The Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario was founded in 1876 and offers university-level education.
• Royal Military College Saint-Jean, located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, was initially founded in 1952. Closed in 1995 and re-opened in 2008, it offers postsecondary-level education, leading to a diploma of college studies in Science and Social Science. Since 2019, The Royal Military College Saint-Jean offers an undergraduate degree program in International Studies.

Royal Military College Saint-Jean

The Royal Military College (RMC) Saint-Jean is located on the historical site of Fort Saint-Jean, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, 40 km south of Montreal. 

RMC Saint-Jean’s curriculum is based on four pillars: Academics, Military, Physical Fitness and Bilingualism.
About 325 students per year receive training at RMC Saint-Jean in the two-year pre-university programs leading to a college diploma or in the International Studies program leading to a baccalaureate

At Royal Military College Saint-Jean, the life of an officer cadet / naval cadet usually begins at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School at Saint-Jean Garrison with the Basic Military Officer Qualification, which is an introduction to military life. This programme takes place before the start of the school year and allows officer cadets/naval cadets to learn how to function within the military system. This training is pursued during the academic year through typical military activities. During the summer following the first academic year, officer cadets/naval cadets will complete the Basic Military Officer Qualification training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School. During subsequent summers officer cadets / naval cadets will receive training specific to their trade.

The military pillar at Royal Military College Saint-Jean is structured to develop the leadership skills of officer cadets/naval cadets. The officer cadets/naval cadets form the Cadet Wing which is divided into squadrons. There are currently 4 squadrons at RMC Saint-Jean. Under the direction of experienced military members, this hierarchy governs the life of officer cadets/naval cadets. Seniors are entrusted with command positions in the Cadet Wing and are responsible for the officer cadet's/naval cadet's daily activities.

During the summer, all officer/naval cadets receive military training, occupation training, and second language training at bases throughout the country.

As of August 2018, RMC Saint-Jean has been offering a baccalaureate in International Studies. This 6-semester program addresses major global issues that future officers will face in the course of their profession. Students will benefit from the multidisciplinary nature of the program, which will prepare them for dealing with complex situations involving relations between states, international development, security issues, and international issues pertaining to various disciplines: political science, history, geography, economic science, law, sociology, anthropology, communication, psychology, literature, and more.

Semester Abroad Program

RMC Saint-Jean’s exchange program has always been a large part of RMC Saint-Jean’s academics. Every year, RMC Saint-Jean receives multiple foreign exchange students while sending OCdts abroad. The international studies bachelor’s program offers the opportunity for OCdts to apply and receive exchange opportunities. After a selection process, a limited amount of OCdts go on exchange for a semester, fully immersing themselves in the foreign military academies’ experience. Exchange programs are key in relation buildings, and to test schooling with practical experience.

After graduation

On successful completion of the ROTP, officer/naval cadets receive an undergraduate degree in Engineering, Science, or Arts and become fit officers in the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, or Royal Canadian Air Force. Those officers who complete training at the CMC will be bilingual. After obtaining a bachelor's degree and an officer commission, new officers must serve in the Canadian Armed Forces for three to five years.

Conclusion to our stay in Austria

“My stay in Austria has been absolutely amazing with once in a lifetime experiences. The cultural exchanges of information have been very rich, and the military training I have experienced with the Austrian cadets has been unique and challenging. This exchange has allowed me to travel throughout the country, and for the first time in my life explore Europe and its culture. The friends and memories I have made will never be forgotten and will benefit my future military career. I am so honoured to be the first Canadian sent to Austria for a semester.” (OCdt Daniel Shin)

“They are not enough words to express how grateful I am for my stay in Austria. As a cadet in her way to becoming an officer it is an incredible experience to study abroad with different people and cultures. These kinds of experiences are beneficial for a young officer especially to be more open minded of other realities. The memories we made here will forever stay and the friendship also.” (OCdt Marie-Olphise Labité)