Duty Calls
RMC Military Skills Team shows their mettle at Sandhurst Competition
Mishall RehmanAbove image: Left, Military Skills Team from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) arrives at the United States Military Academy West Point (USMA) for the military skills championship. USMA, Peekskill, New York, USA on April 26, 2022. Image by: S1 Lisa Sheppard, Military Photojournalist, RMC, Kingston 2022-RMC1-0047. Right, RMC Military Skills Team headed to Camp Buckner, a military post down the road from West Point. There they tackled the Marne Obstacle Course, tied a single rope bridge and trained on zodiac boats. Image by: S1 Lisa Sheppard, Military Photojournalist, RMC, Kingston2022-RMC1-0047.
The Royal Military College of Canada’s (RMC) Military Skills Team competed with 48 teams in this year’s United States Army Military Academy West Point’s annual prestigious Sandhurst Competition.
The team placed 21 among the 48 teams participating in the annual competitions. This year’s competition took place On Friday, April 29, and April 30.
Drawing Strength From Courage
The cadets competed in the race in the face of the tragedy at the college, where four cadets lost their lives in a vehicle accident.
“We draw strength from their display of courage and their fortitude in this time of sadness. We are proud of what they accomplished, and we look forward to seeing what this dynamic group of young officers will accomplish in their careers,” noted an RMC Facebook page post.
Historically, Sandhurst is an opportunity for cadets from across the world to show off their military skills in friendly competition. This year, the competition featured teams from West Point, teams from RMC and RMC St. Jean, and 15 countries. These teams include participants from Australia, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, South Korea, Greece, Japan, Mexico, Poland, and the United Kingdom back to the fight.
RMC History of Pride
The RMC has a long and storied history of outshining at Sandhurst.
This is partly because of the gruelling selection process officer cadets must participate in at the beginning of every year. According to RMC, the cadets must then train every day, twice a day, in order to build both their skills and cohesion. Even returning members must be selected for the team each year.
On the Day of Departure
“RMC’s Military Skills Team departs for West Point today, where they will be joined by their friends and fellow competitors from Royal Military College St. Jean. With just days to go before the event, both teams are looking for a strong finish at the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition,” stated an RMC Facebook page post. The team departed on Monday for the United States.
RMC has won Sandhurst several times over the game’s 55-year history, including winning the competition in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2016.
This year’s team members included:
- Squad Leader Zachary Smith,
- Devin Mercer,
- Layden Bergerman-Twan,
- Marc-Émile Cloutier,
- Samuel Fortin,
- Konrad Kasztenny,
- Emmanuelle Nadeau,
- Alex-Xavier Rioux-Turgeon,
- Megan Roy,
- Owen Sikkes,
- Josh Tremblay,
- Duncan Matthews,
- Aaron Hauck,
- Amy Simard,
- Éloise de Grandpré,
- Frank Sullivan,
- Noah Anderson.
About Sandhurst
Below video hightlights Sandhurst Military Skills Competition 2022.
Sandhurst was started in 1967 by West Point to test cadets’ military skills, physical endurance, and teamwork as they worked to conquer various obstacles.
According to the United States Military Academy, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) presented USMA with a British Officer’s sword intended to be the prize.
The original mission statement reads, “To provide the Corps of Cadets with a challenging and rewarding regimental skills competition, which will enhance professional development and military excellence in selected Soldier skills.”
