Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean) is pleased to highlight the appointment of Mr. James Groen as the College’s new Academic Director effective July 30, 2018.

Recently Acting Director General, Policy Planning in the Policy Group at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Mr. Groen has 15 years of executive-level experience as well as significant experience in academia.

His blend of managerial experience, including in leading organizational transformation, combined with academic training and experience, position him well to advance the strategic objectives of RMC Saint-Jean.

“I am confident that Mr. Groen has the leadership qualities required to maintain the academic excellence RMC Saint-Jean is known for,” said Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan.

“RMC Saint-Jean will welcome its first class of university students in the International Studies programme starting on Wednesday, August 22 to grant the first university degrees three years later in May 2021 – two milestones during Mr. Groen’s tenure at this institution committed to excellence in education and training of leaders for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF),” said Colonel Gervais Carpentier, Commandant of RMC Saint-Jean.

“The restoration of university-level military studies in Quebec will notably serve to strengthen cross-cultural skills within the officer corps while furthering bilingualism in the CAF,” said Rear-Admiral Luc Cassivi, Commander, Canadian Defence Academy, which oversees Canada’s military colleges.

“By RMC Saint-Jean returning to its university affiliation, some francophones will have the opportunity of completing their studies in a military institution in a francophone environment, while anglophones will have the opportunity to complete linguistic and cultural immersion in their second language.”

The position of Academic Director was previously occupied by Lieutenant-General (Retired) J.O. Michel Maisonneuve, who took up his appointment at RMC Saint-Jean in January 2008 after having served as a member of the CAF for 35 years, in numerous top-level command positions domestically and internationally.

“Mr. Maisonneuve did an excellent job leading the academic program at RMC Saint-Jean, and was a key contributor to the restoration of RMC Saint-Jean’s university status through Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged,” said Minister Sajjan. “We are grateful for his dedication to RMC Saint-Jean, and wish the very best to Mr. Groen in his new appointment.”

The mission of RMC Saint-Jean is to educate duly selected CAF members in order to instill them with the competencies required to maintain excellence in the profession of arms.