Summary
Based on our initial review of their recommendations, while some fall outside of the scope of our submission, it is clear that the CMCRB paid close attention to RMCAA and to individual members of the alumni community who made submissions (see attached comparison of CMCRB and RMCAA recommendations). This successful engagement with the Review Board was the result of a concerted effort, drawing on resources and expertise from among our membership and partners.
You will no doubt have heard that the Canadian Military Colleges Review Board issued its report on Friday March 7, 2025. While the Royal Military Colleges of Canada Alumni Association welcomes the report, the depth and breadth of analysis it contains warrants careful consideration, and we are still reviewing the details. (The report is available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/report-cmcrb.html)
That said, we are very pleased with the immediate results. The key objective of our work with members (Responding to the CMC Review: Towards Renewal) was to ensure that the Colleges can continue their vital mission for Canada — more important now than ever — and improve them so that they are safe and effective for all by seeking to address the root causes of harm.
Based on our initial review of their recommendations, while some fall outside of the scope of our submission, it is clear that the CMCRB paid close attention to RMCAA and to individual members of the alumni community who made submissions (see attached comparison of CMCRB and RMCAA recommendations). This successful engagement with the Review Board was the result of a concerted effort, drawing on resources and expertise from among our membership and partners.
A profound thank you to all who contributed. Your support was essential to this outcome!
We can take some inspiration from the concluding paragraph of the report, which reads:
“The path to renewed success will not be easy. Long-term, multi-faceted effort, organizational agility, courageous leadership, openness to do things differently, and renewed investment in defence will all be required to meet this moment. So too will public support. Canadians from across the country, including institutional and community leaders, elected officials and members, both past and present, at all levels of the Canadian Armed Forces must rally behind their Military Colleges, demanding excellence, yes, but also celebrating what they stand for, what they contribute and what they can achieve.”
We see this as a call to action for the Association and all alumni. The real work is only beginning.
Ultimately, success in achieving our objectives of safer more effective CMCs will depend on the level of support that the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces provide to the Colleges today and in the future. We stand ready to support them, and to build on the long tradition of Alumni financial and material support to our Military Colleges.
Similarly, the Alumni Association has an ongoing role to play in mobilizing Canadians to support their Military Colleges and the CAF. There is much to be done in this regard, and we will have more to report on new and ongoing efforts.
We invite all of you to read the CMC Review Board report and provide us with your feedback at [email protected]
On behalf of CMC Renewal Team
Truth. Duty. Valour.