Royal Military College of Canada to celebrate the Class of 2024

May 14, 2024 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Graduands, students, staff, and faculty of the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) invite the media to attend ceremonial events on campus celebrating the Class of 2024’s success, in which Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada and Commander-in-Chief; and the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, will participate.

The flag of the Governor General - used as a symbol to mark the presence of the Governor General of Canada - will fly above RMC’s iconic clock tower during her stay on campus.

129th Convocation Ceremony

The Governor General will provide remarks at the convocation and present Governor General’s Silver and Gold Medals. The Governor General will be conferred with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa.

The Minister of National Defence will confer graduating students with their Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees in his role as Chancellor and President of RMC. In addition, he will confer a posthumous degree on Captain David Domagala, who perished in a helicopter crash last June.

RMC will also hold an installation ceremony for its new Principal, Dr. Jill Scott, who became the Principal at RMC effective March 4, 2024.

When: Thursday, May 16, from 1 p.m. to approximately 4 p.m.

Where: Kingston Military Community Sports Centre’s Anderson Field House,

Building 65, CFB Kingston, 11 Navy Way (off Highway 2), Kingston, Ont.

Notes to editor / news director: Media are asked to contact RMC in advance, and to arrive with photo identification at the Anderson Field House’s main doors at 12:30 p.m.

Sunset Ceremony

The ceremony will feature a fanfare and the 1876 Demonstration Team firing a naval gun, Silent Drill Team, Indigenous Leadership Opportunity Year drummers, performances by Highland dancers and colour party demonstrations with RMC’s prestigious band, an honour guard performing a ‘feu de joie,’ and a lone piper on the top of RMC’s clock tower, leading spectators to the event finale: a seven-minute fireworks show at sunset.

When: Thursday, May 16, from 7 p.m. to approximately 9:15 p.m.

Where: RMC Parade Square, 15 Valour Drive, Kingston, Ont.

Notes to editor / news director: Media are asked to contact RMC in advance, and to arrive at the Southwest corner of the Currie Building at 6:45 p.m. You will be informed should the Sunset Ceremony be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Commissioning Parade

The Governor General will be the Reviewing Officer where General Officers and Flag Officers will present commission scripts to naval and officer cadets during the Commissioning Parade, which is the formal presentation of a CAF commission script in the name of His Majesty. Upon completion of the parade, the graduates will march through the Memorial Arch, signifying the conclusion of their time under the Regular Officer Training Plan at RMC.

When: Friday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Where: RMC Parade Square, 15 Valour Drive, Kingston, Ont. In case of inclement weather, the parade will take place indoors at the Kingston Military Community Sports Centre’s Anderson Field House.

Notes to editor / news director: Media are asked to contact RMC in advance, and to arrive at the Southwest corner of the Currie Building at 9:30 a.m. DND/CAF camerapersons and those from the media are asked to keep a reasonable safe distance around the cadets on the Parade Square. This is to ensure everyone’s safety and that there is no interruption to the ceremony.

Associated Links

• RMC B-Rolls
• RMC on Facebook
• RMC on Twitter
• RMC on Instagram
• RMC on Flickr
• Royal Military College of Canada
• The Governor General of Canada