What we examined (see Focus of the audit)

National Defence, which includes the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence, operates the Royal Military College of Canada as a federally funded institution to educate and train Officer Cadets and commissioned officers for effective military service.

This audit focused on whether the Royal Military College of Canada produced the quality of officers that the Canadian Armed Forces needed at a reasonable cost.

This audit also focused on whether National Defence ensured the proper conduct of Officer Cadets and staff at the Royal Military College of Canada. Proper conduct includes the responsibility to obey the law, enforce military discipline, and uphold professional and ethical standards of duty, loyalty, integrity, and courage. It can be ensured through policies, formal instruction, and demonstrated action, including addressing instances of improper conduct in a consistent, appropriate, and timely manner.

Why we did this audit

This audit is important because an effective military requires leaders who are well educated, who are trained to meet National Defence’s standards, and who serve with integrity.

What we concluded

We concluded that the Royal Military College of Canada could not demonstrate that it produced officers at a reasonable cost, and we concluded that there were weaknesses in military training. In addition, for most of their careers, there was no significant difference in career progression between graduates of the Royal Military College of Canada and officers who entered the Canadian Armed Forces through other entry plans. The Royal Military College of Canada emphasized academic education over military training, and the academic environment did not consistently support military training objectives. While the quality of its academic programs was good, the cost per student was significantly higher than other universities and other officer entry plans.

We also concluded that, while the Royal Military College of Canada took action when serious incidents were reported, the number of investigations and incidents of misconduct involving senior Officer Cadets showed that it needed to improve military training.

The primary role of the Royal Military College of Canada is to be a military institution. Unless National Defence can resolve the issues identified in this report and the Special Staff Assistance Visit report, the Royal Military College of Canada risks becoming just another university and not providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the leaders it requires.

What we found

Role and purpose of the Royal Military College of Canada

Overall, we found that the Royal Military College of Canada emphasized academic education over military training and that there were weaknesses in military training. Recommendations from previous reviews of the Royal Military College of Canada to enhance military training did not result in fundamental changes. We also found that there was no clear measurable standard for leadership qualities and ethical military behaviour that graduates were required to demonstrate before receiving their commissions.

This finding matters because there are many other universities that can offer an undergraduate education to future officers. However, only the Royal Military College of Canada has the objective of providing an undergraduate education in a military environment with a focus on military leadership, ethics, and training.

• Royal Military College of CanadaRMC emphasized academic education over military training

  Recommendation. National Defence should clearly define and strengthen its military training of Officer Cadets at the Royal Military College of Canada so that the training is relevant and practical, and provides value to operational units. The Royal Military College of Canada should then integrate the improved military training with the academic education of Officer Cadets.

The Royal Military College of Canada as a defence university

Overall, we found that the operating cost per student to provide education at the Royal Military College of Canada was about twice as much as at other universities. We also found that the cost of educating and preparing Officer Cadets at the Royal Military College of Canada was almost twice as high as using other officer entry plans. The higher costs were partly attributed to the higher standards that the Royal Military College of Canada set for its graduates. However, National Defence could not demonstrate that these standards resulted in more effective military officers. Furthermore, the Royal Military College of Canada’s governance structure failed to integrate military and academic objectives.

This finding matters because the Royal Military College of Canada needs effective governance and clear leadership to ensure that it achieves its objectives in the most cost-effective way possible.

• RMC did not operate in a cost-effective manner

  Recommendation. National Defence should explore ways to reduce the Royal Military College of Canada’s operating cost per student and consider reducing the number of programs offered.

• The cost of educating Officer Cadets at RMC was higher than other officer entry plans

  Recommendation. National Defence should demonstrate and ensure that the higher standards of the Regular Officer Training Plan at the Royal Military College of Canada are required, that they result in better qualified officers, and that the cost is reasonable.

• RMC’s governance was not effective

  Recommendation. National Defence should clearly define the role of the Commandant as the executive authority for day-to-day operations and long-term planning of all aspects of the Royal Military College of Canada’s operations, particularly the ability to oversee and integrate military training and academic programs.

Military leadership and proper conduct

Overall, we found that the Royal Military College of Canada did not provide Officer Cadets with adequate training in leadership and in the proper conduct expected of future officers. While the Royal Military College of Canada took action when incidents were reported, we found that the number of misconduct incidents that involved senior Officer Cadets showed that the Royal Military College of Canada had not prepared them to serve as role models for their peers.

This finding matters because National Defence needs the Royal Military College of Canada to produce future leaders who embody the highest standards of military leadership and proper conduct.

• RMC failed to provide effective instruction on military leadership

  Recommendation. The Royal Military College of Canada should ensure that before senior Officer Cadets are appointed to leadership positions, they demonstrate high standards of conduct and ethical behaviour.

  Recommendation. The Royal Military College of Canada should ensure that military training staff have the proper skills and training they need to develop leadership skills among Officer Cadets.

• RMC took action when serious incidents were reported

  Recommendation. We made no recommendations in this area of examination.

Entity Responses to Recommendations

The audited entity agrees with our recommendations and has responded (see List of Recommendations).

Related Information

Report of the	Auditor General of Canada
Type of product	Performance audit
Topics	Education and Training National Defence
Entities	National Defence
Completion date	30 August 2017
Tabling date	21 November 2017
Related audits	Report 5—Canadian Armed Forces Recruitment and Retention—National Defence, 2016 Fall Reports of the Auditor General of Canada

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