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Le 'Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean' (CMR) is a Canadian military academy located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec.
In fall 2007, the federal government will reopen the military college at Saint-Jean, which was closed in 1995. The reopening of CMR, uses a similar formula to the one used in 1952 when CMR was originally created. The Commandant of CMR (a Colonel) will report to the Commander, Canadian Defence Academy (CDA). CMR will also have its own Board of Governors. Cadets at CMR will be issued scarlet uniforms. The first-year program at CMR is expected to free up beds at Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) allowing more Regular Officer Training Program (ROTP) cadets to attend RMC rather than civilian universities. ^[1]
CMR infrastructure is currently used by the Canadian Forces located at ASU Saint-Jean and by a non-profit corporation called ''Campus du Fort Saint-Jean'', which arranges for the upkeep of many of the former educational facilities and leases them out to educational institutions such as the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM) for their local programmes while also renting out others for short events such as large banquets or conventions.

Contents

Advantages

Program

Routine

History

Quotes

Features and Buildings

Memorials

Plaques

Museum of Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean

Commandants

Notable alumni

Notable faculty

Books

See also

External link

Advantages

CMR offers a number of advantages:

★ a small student population

★ workshops, tutorials, and supplementary courses

★ workshops, introduction to research methods, laboratories, group projects, oral and multimedia presentations

★ library, well-equipped laboratories, ample supplies of learning materials, and Internet access.

★ rapid advancement in the student's second language

★ trips, industrial visits, cultural excursions, and sports meetings;

★ on-campus accommodation

★ modern sports facilities

Program

Corresponding to the first two years of collegial (CEGEP) studies in Quebec, Preparatory Year is a pre-university programme of studies. Intended for students who have obtained their high-school certificates in Quebec or the equivalent elsewhere in Canada, the program prepares students to continue their studies at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario.
Students at CMR will be able to receive training in a two-year general military College of General and Professional Education (CEGEP) diploma program to about 200 students per year:

★ 130-140 cadets in the Preparatory year

★ 60-70 in second year at CMR
The CMR is attracting Quebecers who have already completed a year at some other CEGEP to switch into the first year at CMR. CMR offers courses in French to the French-speaking cadets and in English to the English-speaking cadets. ^[1]
Although the College won't offer university-level courses as it did before it closed in 1995, credits can be applied to programs at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario or other universities. So that students can move seamlessly from one to the other, the academic programs at the two institutions will be harmonized. At the end of the first or Preparatory Year, students who opt for the “General” program (science, arts, business) will stay on at CMR for another year. Students studying engineering will go to Kingston into first year at RMC. ^[1]
At its campus in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) has been offering a preuniversity programme for 140 students per year. The preparatory year ("Prep year") cadets acquire the necessary academic standard needed to attend RMC. The preparatory year is open to students from Canada who need to upgrade their studies before beginning university courses. The program is intended mainly for students from Quebec. The academic function of CMR was to educate its cadets up to the second year of a college degree. The remaining studies are to be completed at the RMC in Kingston.
Divided into two semesters the academic year is composed of 75 teaching days and a final examination period, followed by a supplemental examination period.
The preparatory year students register in either the social sciences or science program. The programs are offered in both official languages. The social sciences program features courses in sociology, history, political science, mathematics, computer science, chemistry and physics. The sciences program includes courses in: mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and history. The core courses in both programs include: literature, philosophy, second language, and physical education.
The mandate of the preparatory year is to develop in its students good work habits, academic diligence, critical facility, and team spirit. ^[4]

Routine

When they arrive at L'Escadron Richelieu, the officer-cadets have already chosen their service. The cadets wear the uniform of their service during the preparation year. They will not wear the Royal Military College of Canada uniform until they get to first year in Kingston, Ontario.
The preuniversity programme features modern, diversified teaching methods: workshops, introduction to research methods, laboratories, group projects, oral and multimedia presentations. The staff provide academic support in the form of workshops, tutorials, and supplementary courses.
The cadets live in Cartier block and eat in pavillon Dextrase (completed in 1993). The cadets can leave the campus at any time that they do not have classes, study periods or training.
During the week the daily routine consists of inspection, running, breakfast, classes, sports, and studies. The officer-cadets attend academic classes and undergo military training. The military training is in the form of drill, cartography, compass use and 3 major field exercises each year. The cadets take roles as cadet squadron commander, Second in Command (2IC) and section commanders. Ouside classes, bilingualism is promoted by French / English weeks.
On the weekend, with the exception of military training, the students are largely free.

History

Year	Significance
1948	★ In the Post-War re-organisation of the Canadian Forces, the Canadian Military Colleges Circle (CMC) was formed with RMC, ''Royal Roads Military College'' (RRMC) and ''Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean''(CMR)
1950	The Old Brigade, alumni celebrating 50 + years since they entered one of the military colleges, are inducted.
1952	CMR was established in order to conduct tri-service cadet training within the Canadian Forces. It was a classical college, with the initial purpose of providing a more equitable representation of French Canadians in the three services of the Canadian Forces. During spring 1952, the Right Honorable Louis Saint-Laurent, Prime Minister of Canada, made the decision to found a bilingual military college in Québec, to open in September. In 1952 the Governor General of Canada officially opened Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean (CMR).
1968	Pavillon Lahaie was built, featuring laboratory, library and office space
1971	CMR established a formal partnership with the University of Sherbrooke, after which CMR cadets were able to obtain a bachelor's degree without leaving Saint-Jean.
1973	★ The CMR March (music), Precision (march) became the official college march. ★ The march was composed by Madame Denise Chabot in 1932 ★ As the wife of RMC staff member, Lieutenant Colonel (ret) C.A. Chabot, she was inspired by the sound of the cadets marching past married quarters.
1985	The Quebec government passed an act granting CMR its own university charter.
1988	CMR was authorized to grant master's and doctorate degrees.
1995	★ following the end of the Cold War and massive government cutbacks on defence spending, the Department of National Defence closed Royal Roads Military College (RRMC) and Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean (CMR). ★ CMR now operates as part of ASU Saint-Jean as Campus St-Jean where preparatory year ("Prep year") cadets acquire the necessary academic standard needed to attend RMC. ★ RRMC is no longer a military institution, and is now maintained by the Government of British Columbia as Royal Roads University. ★ The loss of CMR and RRMC along with their many traditions and history as military colleges still remains a bitter event for many cadets and alumni. [5]
2007	★ The reopening of CMR was discussed during the Debates of the Senate (Hansard) 1st Session, 39th Parliament, Volume 143, Issue 93 on Thursday, May 3, 2007. ★ The reopening of CMR was announced in July 2007 for the fall term 2007

Quotes

#	Name	Quote
H7860	Hon. Roméo Dallaire (CMR/RMC 1969), Canadian Senator	★ "The possibility of starting a new program at the college — a military Cegep that would allow all officer cadets to spend two years in Saint-Jean before going to Kingston, instead of studying only in Kingston — is being considered. In the spirit of progress, would it be possible to support a principle as basic as the freedom of francophones in the Canadian Armed Forces by establishing a Cegep-style francophone bilingual military college."
12046	Pierre Ducharme, President of RMC Club	★ "Le Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean served our country very well in the past and the Club wishes CMR a long and distinguish life."
	Hon. Graham Fraser, Commissioner of Official Languages	★ "The creation of the College militaire royal in 1952 was very important for the Canadian military, and Canadian society. For 43 years, this institution provided an excellent training and learning environment for Francophone recruits, as well as an exceptional immersion environment for Anglophones who wished to improve their skills in French. Its closing in 1995 caused long-term problems for the Canadian Forces. I am pleased to see that the first step has been taken in the re-establishment of this important institution, which has contributed a great deal to the history of Canadian linguistic duality." ★ "It is important that the men and women who choose to serve their country in the Canadian Forces and accept the inherent risks are able to do so in an environment that respects their preferred official language. It is important that Canadian military leadership be taught - and learned - in both official languages."
	Michael Fortier, MP for Montreal.	★ "Reopening of CMR..."is excellent news for the military, for the City of St-Jean, and of course for francophones not only in Quebec but outside Quebec" ★ The 1995 closure of CMR was "as though the NHL had removed the Montreal Canadiens franchise." ★ "Our youngsters in Quebec who want to study in a military college want to study in a francophone environment college close to them, and francophones outside Quebec interested in the armed forces want to study here in Quebec"
S157	BGen (Ret) Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence	★ "I am here to correct a grave error committed by the previous government"... "We want to give it CMR back its history and glory. The reopening is important because our army is expanding. This is a jewel of our military history." ★ "It is with great pride that I am announcing the re-establishment of the College militaire royal de Saint-Jean" ★ "This vital educational institution will once again take its pride of place in the development of a bilingual officer corps. For too long we have felt its absence. CMR is back." ★ "It has to do with giving francophones their place within the military"
	Hon. Marcel Prud'homme, Canadian Senator requesting reopening CMR	★ "Honourable senators, the closing of Collège militaire royale de Saint-Jean is one error of the past that I find unforgivable. Given the very important role the new administration wants to give to the armed forces, could the government now consider reopening Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean as soon as possible?"
G1415	Major General Walter Semianiw OMM CD (RMC 1980) Chief Military Personnel	★ the reopening of "Saint-Jean as an independent academic institution will provide a vital educational capability to the Canadian Forces." ★ "This will restore a Commandant, Board of Governors, and a Principal, as well as the military culture of discipline, uniforms and fitness training in order to meet the needs of an expanding and transforming Canadian Forces."

Features and Buildings

L'Escadron Richelieu uses Cartier block and Pavillon Lahaie. Pavillons Vanier, DeLéry, Dextraze, Massey and the Old Mess are shared. The campus provides state-of-the-art technological support: library, well-equipped laboratories, ample supplies of learning materials, and Internet access.

Building	Significance	Built
Cartier Pavilion	Honours Jacques Cartier	1955
DeLery Building	academic classrooms named after Gaspard-Joseph Chaussegros de Léry, a military engineer who built Fort Saint-Jean in 1748	1957
Dextraze Pavilion	Dining Room named after General Jacques Dextraze 18111 former Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)
La Galissonniere Pavilion	named after Roland-Michel Barrin de La Galissonière, (commandant-general of New France)	1955
Lahaie Pavilion	Library laboratories, and additional offices named after Brigadier-General 'Marcelin L. Lahaie' 1952-57	1968-1974
Maisonneuve pavilion	Dormitory named after Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve, founder of Montreal, Quebec
Massey Building	named after Vincent Massey former Governor General of Canada
Montcalme Pavilion	Dormitory named after General Louis-Joseph de Montcalm
Old Mess (all ranks)	recreational and social activity centre,
Parade square	300 foot by 400 foot	Aug-Sept 1955
Ramparts	The ruins of Fort Saint-Jean	1748
Second World War Memorial	this granite slab monument is dedicated to the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of No. 48 Canadian Infantry (Basic) Training unit who died in WWII	1 Dec 1945
Vanier Pavillion	Sport Complex, also outdoor soccer, tennis and football fields named after Georges P. Vanier, former Governor General of Canada

Memorials

Other	Description
★ 25th anniversary Monument	★ donated by College Militaire Royal alumni Club in 1977 to honour 25th anniversary of college
World War II War Monument	★ The granite slab at the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, ★ World War II War Memorial remembers ex-cadets who died on military service ★ Includes the Bible 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (King James Version) quote: ''I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.'' ★ Donated by College Militaire Royal alumni Club

Plaques

Plaque	Description
★ Fort Saint-Jean	★ Built in 1748 during the French régime. During the 1837 rebellion, the French planned to attack Fort Saint-Jean which was then occupied by English troups. The plan was not executed. "En 1839, des travaux sont entrepris au Fort Saint-Jean dans le but d'y édifier un important camp militaire qui pourrait contrer toute tentative de rébellion ultérieure."

Museum of Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean

The museum is located in Fort Saint-Jean on the campus of the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean. The museum mandate is to collect, conserve, research and display material relating to the history of the CMR, its former cadets and its site, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. The museum contains collections of military memorabilia and military artefacts. The site has been occupied since 1666 by different garrisons, a shipyard and a military college.^[6]
The CMR Ex-Cadet Foundation manages the museum which recognizes more than 325 years (1666-1995) of military history at the fortifications located on the Richelieu River. The flora and centennial trees enhance the site.
The museum was located in the old guardhouse from 1974-1998. The museum was closed from 1998-2003 but is now situated in the former protestant chapel. The Museum is opened Wednesday to Sunday, from 10h00 to 17h00, from May 24th until September 1st. ^[6]

★ Collège militaire royal Museum

★ Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean,

★ Richelain, Que, 15 Jacques-Cartier nord,

★ St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, J3B 8R8

★ Tel: 450-358-6500 poste 5769.
The museum is a member of the Canadian Museums Association and the Organization of Military Museums of Canada Inc. The museum is an accredited museum within the Canadian Forces Museum System. ^[8] The museum has formed a cooperating association of friends of the
museum to assist with projects. ^[9]
=Traditions=

Tradition	Significance
''blanket toss''	''blanket toss'' of senior class members after the last waltz at the Grad Ball
'change of command ceremony'	The former commandant offers farewell and best wishes to the college and to the new Commandant. The new commandant accepts a first salute as the cadet wing marches past.
''College Coin''	Every new officer cadet is issued a Challenge coin upon completion of First Year Orientation Period. The Coin is engraved with the name of the College in French and English surrounding the College Crest on the obverse. The Cadet's college number and the Motto is in both languages.
''college Toast (honor)''	CMR toast to ''absent comrades'' meaning those who have fallen in action or who had died
''Feux de Joie''	an honour guard perform a rifle salute with field artillery, or more commonly, rifles using blank ammunition.
''Freedom of the fort''	Officer cadets are equal independently of their year. They are also allowed to remove their headgear.
''Jacket exchange''	CMR Director of Cadets exchanges tunics with I Year Officer Cadet at CMR Christmas Dinner.
''Just Passing By''	When a graduate of the CMR pilots an aircraft in the vicinity of St-Jean, Quebec he or she conducts an impromptu airshow over the College.
''obstacle course race''	gruelling course for recruits set up by the cadets' immediate predecessors, memorialized by a sculpture
''Old 18''	First year cadets are required to memorize the names of the first class in the order of their college numbers.[10]
''Old Brigade''	Alumni who entered military college 50+ years before wear unique berets and ties, have the Right of the Line on reunion weekend memorial parades, and present the College cap badge to the First Year cadets on the First Year Badging Parade. Each class traditionally marks its 50-year anniversary and entry into the Old Brigade with a gift.
''shouldering professors''	at closing exercises, cadets carried professors around the room
''skylarks''	annual class practical joke or prank
''sweetheart broach''	officer cadets gave their dates an enamel brooch in lieu of a corsage for formal dances at Christmas, and Graduation. The museum retains several examples.

Commandants

With student numbers

Name	Year
H11171 Brigadier-general Marcellin L. Lahaie, DSO, CD,	1952-1957
Capitaine de groupe Jean G. Archambault, AFC, CD	1957-1960
Capitaine (Marine) J.A.T. Marcel Jette, CD,	1960-1963
12481 Colonel J. Armand Ross, DSO, CD (CMR 1975)	1963-1966
Colonel Roland A. Reid, MC, CD, ADC	1966-1968
H12882 LGen Jacques Chouinard, CD, ADC (honourary 1973)	1968-1970
14129 Colonel Gerard C.E. Theriault, CD, ADC (CMR 1975)	1970-1971
Colonel Jean-Paul A. Cadieux, CD, ADC	1971-1973
Colonel J. Arthur R. Vandal, CD, ADC	1973-1975
4377 General Richard J. Evraire, CD CMR/RMC 1959	1975-1978
3759 Colonel Charles-Eugene Savard, OMM, CD, ADC (CMR 1957)	1978-1981
5359 Colonel J. Yvon Durocher, CD, ADC (CMR/RMC 1962)	1981-1983
Brigadier-general Rudy J. Parent, OMM, CD, ADC	1983-1986
6116 Brigadier-general Claude Archambault, OMM,CD, ADC (CMR/RMC 1964)	1986-1989

Notable alumni

Shown with college numbers.

Student #	Name	Left/Graduation	Significance
6873	MGen (Ret) Clive Addy , CMM, CD	CMR/RMC 1966	founding Chair of National Security Group
15215	Harold Arsenault CD	CMR 1984	businessperson, Director, Amadeus IT Group Amadeus International Inc.
5992	Doctor Allan James Barrett CD	CMR RMC 1964	Vice-principal of RMC and Canadian Defence Academy director of learning management
6090	Bishop George Bruce, CD,	CMR RMC 1964	nominated for election as Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
19616	Miguel Caron	CMR RMC 1995	Businessperson, President and CEO, Lyrtech
18096	Alain JGA Charron	CMR RMC 1992	businessman, A.C.E. Building Inspection Services, inc.,
15751	Captain (Ret) Bruno Couillard	CMR RMC 1987	businessperson, President & Chief Technology Officer, BC5 Technologies Inc.
11182	Major General (Ret) Jean-Marc J.M. Comtois CD	CMR RMC 1976	businessperson, VP, CMC mycrosystems
15751	Captain Bruno Couillard	CMR RMC 1987	businessperson, co-founder Chrysalis-ITS Inc.
H7860	Lieutenant-General (Ret'd) Senator Roméo Dallaire O.C.,CMM,	CMR/RMC 1969	former commander of United Nations peacekeeping mission to Rwanda
H7543	Senator Joseph A. Day	CMR/RMC 1968	retired from Royal Canadian Air Force; lawyer, Liberal Senator for New Brunswick 2001.10.04 -
18111	Jacques Dextraze	CMR 1987	Chief of the Defence Staff from 1972–1977.
7619	Captain (Ret) Mark JM Duncan	CMR/RMC 1968	VP, CEO, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
4992	Pierre Y. Ducros C.M.	CMR/RMC 1960	businessperson, inducted into Canadian Information Productivity Awards Hall of Fame; pioneer in informatics and telecommunications services; former Chair of the Board of Governors of the Université du Québec à Montréal, and as a member of the Conseil consultatif international des Hautes Études Commerciales.
8662	Dr. Allan English	CMR/RMC 1971	author; professor
4377	General (ret’d) Richard Evraire CMM, CD	CMR/RMC 1959	Chair, Canadian Defence Association
8276	Doctor MJ Garneau C.C., CD, Ph.D., F.C.A.S.I.	CMR/RMC 1970	Canadian astronaut aboard space shuttles Challenger and Endeavour, logged nearly 700 hours in space; NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 1997,
5105	Doctor JL Granatstein O.C., Ph.D., LL.D., F.R.S.C.	CMR/RMC 1961	Canadian historian
8276	Captain (Navy) (Ret'd) Doctor Marc Garneau C.C.,	CMR/RMC 1970	Canadian astronaut
7855	Mr Paul JP Hession	CMR/RMC 1969	Executive Partnerships, Canada Health Infoway Inc
5381	Ray Hession	CMR/RMC1962	Chair, Service Canada Advisory Council
13443	Shamus M. Hurley	1982	President and CEO, Kinetico Incorporated
18157	Kurt Hoppe	CMR 1990	businessperson, Director, Digeo Inc
12372	Commander(ret) Peter Johnston CD	CMR/RMC 1980	businessperson, partner, Lansdowne Technologies Inc.
5982	Robert D Jull	CMR/RMC 1964	businessperson, executive and entrepreneur, Icron® Technologies Corporation
11635	Dr. Jean de Lafontaine	CMR/RMC 1978	founding president of NGC Aerospace Ltd.; educator
11597	Captain Richard JPR Laurence	CMR/RMC 1977	founder/President of Trillys Systems Inc.
6454	LGen (Ret) William C Leach, CMM, CD	CMR/RMC 1965	Vice president, Mincom Defence
7502	Lt(N)(Ret) Joseph Lyrette	CMR/RMC 1968	businessperson, CEO of ADGA Group Consultants Inc.
9573	Steven MacLean (astronaut)	CMR 1973	Canadian astronaut
13481	Tom Manley	CMR 1978	businessman, politician
10450	Lieutenant Commander Jean Marcotte	1975	cycling across Canada in support of the Military Family Fund, 2007
9999	Mr Patrick PG Michaud	CMR/RMC 1974	businessperson, vice president, Score Media Inc.
4393	Doctor Desmond Morton (historian)	CMR/RMC 1959	Canadian historian
12320	Major General Walter Natynczyk OMM, M.S.C., CD	RRMC CMR 1979	Vice Chief of the Defence Staff; Deputy Commanding General of the Multi-National Corps during Operation Iraqui Freedom
13016	Major (ret) Luc JSL Perron	CMR/RMC 1982	businessperson, VP, Optosecurity
10468	Major General Jerry S.T. Pitzul,	CMR 1975	Judge-Advocate-General from 1998 to 2006.
10026	Denis Pouliot	CMR/RMC 1974	Businessperson, Director, Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.
4669	Mr Toivo Roht	CMR RMC 1960	author of "Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, Royal Roads Military College and Royal Military College 1955-2006"
8752	Jacques Roy	CMR 1971	Director, HEC-Montréal
8356	Guy Saint-Pierre	CMR 1970	businessman, politician
11199	Jacques St-Laurent CD	CMR/RMC 1976	businessperson, VP, Bell Helicopter Textron Canada
20688	Ms. Shanie Ste-Marie	CMR/RMC 1997	businessperson, owner, Traduction SSM Translation Services
11721	Lawrence Stevenson	CMR/RMC 1978	businessperson, CEO Callisto Capital
12464	Tom Sweeney CD	CMR/RMC 1980	businessperson, co-founder, Managing Director, Garage Technology Ventures
19282	Didier Toussaint	CMR 1993	businessperson, co-founder, partner, Top Aces Consulting
16817	Louis Veilleux	CMR 1984	Sologlobe, co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer

Notable faculty

★ Roch Carrier, author of ''Le Chandail de hockey'' or ''The Hockey Sweater'', and later National Librarian of Canada.

Books

★ Castonguay, Jacques "Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean" Meridien 1989

★ H16511 Preston, Dr. Richard A. Canada's Royal Military College: A History of the Royal Military College, Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 1969.

★ 4669 Roht, Toivo (CMR RMC 1960) "Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, Royal Roads Military College and Royal Military College 1955-2006" 2007

★ H1877 Smith, R. Guy C. (editor) As You Were! Ex-Cadets Remember. In 2 Volumes. Volume I: 1876-1918. Volume II: 1919-1984. Royal Military College. [Kingston]. The R.M.C. Club of Canada. 1984

★ H16511 Preston, Dr. Richard A. To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College since the Second World War, Ottawa, University of Ottawa Press, 1991.

See also

★ Royal Roads Military College

★ Royal Military College of Canada

External link

★ CMR Saint-Jean (in French)

★ CMR Backgrounder

★ Jacques Castonguay, Le Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean

★ St. Jean military college reopens July 19, 2007

★ The Fort Saint-Jean Museum (the former Protestant Chapel)

★ Campus du Fort Saint-Jean