Old Brigade - Background: The idea for the Old Brigade first developed in 1950 after the College had re-opened following its closure during the Second World War. By the mid-1950s, in part because the annual Ex-Cadet dinners had simply become too large, a decision was made to hold a special dinner for those Ex-Cadets who had entered the Royal Military College at least a half-century earlier. The year of entry was used as a basis because at that time the College had programs of differing length, initially only two years and then three. Indeed, engineering students in particular had to complete their program at a civilian university in order to be awarded their degree; that is, until the Ontario government passed “The Royal Military College of Canada Degrees Act, 1959" enabling RMC to offer degrees in arts, science, and engineering at the undergraduate and graduate levels once those degrees were accredited. After that point, the Ex-Cadet Weekend hosted Ex-Cadets in five-year intervals based on their year of graduation (although any Ex-Cadets could attend general events on the reunion weekends). However, the criterion for entry in to the Old Brigade remained based on year of entry, and later, for UTPMs, age sixty-seven.
Over time, the Old Brigade has developed a kind of special mystique since there is something almost magical about achieving the 50-year mark. Certainly, from the very first time we saw members of the Old Brigade on parade as recruits at RMC in 1975, we were so very impressed and even more so envious of their careers. To this very day, Old Brigade members still hold a unique, respected and very special place in the history of the three military colleges. As young teenagers at the military colleges, few of us could have envisioned ever parading as members of the Old Brigade opposite the current officer and naval cadets some 50 years later. And yet, that is exactly what has happened. Although our classmates from the Class of 79 officially joined the Old Brigade on the 1st of January 2024, and even earlier for our UTPMs and CMR cadets who entered Prep Year in 1974, we are still thrilled to be able to be formally recognized as the “youngest” members of the Old Brigade during the reunion weekends in September, 2024, by not only current members of the Old Brigade but also by the new generation of naval and officer cadets attending RMC and CMR. Adding greatly to the enjoyment is the privilege of presenting coins to the recruits as recognition for them having completed the arduous obstacle course and then their college cap badges to symbolize their officially having joined the Wing.