Royal Military Colleges Alumni Association Inc.

Giving back to the experiences that shape us is one of the most powerful ways to create lasting impact.

For H3356 Robin Cumine RMC Class of 1955, the Royal Military College of Canada was a place where ideas were challenged, voices were strengthened, and leadership began to take form. As a member of the RMC Debating Club, Robin developed skills that would carry him throughout his life; critical thinking, confidence in communication, and the ability to engage thoughtfully with complex issues.

Today, he is giving back in a meaningful and enduring way.

Through the establishment of a new endowment in support of the RMC Debating Club (Debate and International Affairs Society – DIAS), Robin is ensuring that future generations of Naval and Officer Cadets will have access to the same formative experiences. His generosity will help sustain opportunities for debate, dialogue, and intellectual growth, creating a lasting foundation for leadership development at RMC.

This is more than a gift. It is a legacy.

It is a commitment to the next generation, to the young leaders who will one day serve Canada with clarity of thought, strength of voice, and integrity of purpose.
Robin’s example reminds us of the profound difference alumni can make when they invest in what once shaped them.

If the CMC’s played a role in your journey, consider how you might give back. Join us in supporting the programs, teams, and experiences that continue to shape Canada’s future leaders.

Alumni Spotlight - From Command to Commons: Alex Ruff MSC,CD, MP, RMC 1997

Alex Ruff, RMC Class of 1997, has built a distinguished career defined by service, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to Canada. Now serving as the Member of Parliament for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, Alex continues to embody the values of Truth, Duty, Valour, extending his impact from military operations to national public service.

Following his graduation from the Royal Military College of Canada, Alex embarked on a decorated career in the Canadian Armed Forces. As an infantry officer in the Canadian Army, he rose through the ranks to command the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. Over the course of his military service, Alex deployed on multiple international operations, including in Afghanistan, where he played a key leadership role in complex and high-risk environments. His command experience and operational leadership earned him respect across the Canadian Armed Forces and among allied partners.

Throughout his career, Alex demonstrated a deep commitment to developing the next generation of leaders. His leadership style, grounded in discipline, integrity, and team cohesion, reflects the strong foundation established during his time at the College.

After concluding a successful military career, Alex transitioned to federal politics, bringing with him decades of operational experience and a frontline understanding of national and international security issues. Elected as the Member of Parliament for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, he has applied his leadership skills to public service, advocating for his constituents and contributing to national conversations on defence, veterans’ affairs, and rural communities.

Alex’s journey from cadet to commanding officer to Member of Parliament is a powerful example of how RMC graduates continue to serve Canada in diverse and impactful ways. His career reflects not only professional excellence, but also an enduring commitment to service, demonstrating that leadership forged at RMC extends far beyond the parade square.

Celebrating Teaching Excellence at RMC

The Royal Military Colleges Alumni Association is proud to recognize Dr. Holly Ann Garnett, Class of 1965 Professor of Leadership at the Royal Military College of Canada, on receiving the Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA) Prize for Teaching Excellence.

This national honour reflects Dr. Garnett’s outstanding contribution to student learning and her leadership in the classroom—building on her earlier recognition as a recipient of RMC’s Class of 1965 Teaching Excellence Award, one of the College’s highest distinctions in teaching.

At RMC, teaching goes beyond the transfer of knowledge. It is about shaping leaders, and developing critical thinkers who are prepared to serve with purpose and integrity. Dr. Garnett exemplifies this mission. Through her engaging, research-informed approach, she challenges students to understand the institutions and ideas that underpin democratic societies, while equipping them with the skills to lead thoughtfully in complex environments.

Her work as a scholar in electoral integrity and democratic governance further enriches her teaching, connecting theory to practice and bringing global perspectives directly into the classroom.

Dr. Garnett’s achievement is also a reflection of the exceptional educators at RMC—faculty who mentor, inspire, and prepare the next generation of officers.

Congratulations, Dr. Garnett, on this well-deserved recognition.

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Dear Alumni Association,

The members of the RMC Multisport Club would like to extend our sincere and deepest appreciation for your continued support. Thanks to your generosity, our team was able to participate in the Toronto Spartan Race as well as the Carleton Triathlon, for which we took great pride in and had a tremendous amount of fun while representing RMC in a demanding and rewarding athletic set of events.

Events such as the Spartan Race and the Triathlon provide opportunities that go well beyond competition. Participants are challenged physically and mentally while developing confidence, perseverance, and teamwork. These experiences contribute to the leadership and character development that are core to the RMC experience.

Your support helped make our team's participation possible by assisting with costs associated with registration, travel, lodging, and event logistics. As a result, our athletes were able to focus on preparing for and enjoying the event while proudly representing the College.

The Toronto Spartan Race in addition to the Triathlon were memorable experiences for our members, and we are grateful for the role the Alumni Association played in helping make it happen. The continued support shown by RMC graduates is greatly appreciated and demonstrates the strength of the RMC community.

We cannot thank you enough for investing in current cadets and supporting opportunities that contribute to both personal and professional development. We look forward to representing RMC at future events and continuing to build on these experiences with your support.

Sincerely,
NCdt (III) Cameron Macdonald
Club President, RMC Multisport Club

Alumni Spotlight - A Lifetime of Leadership: Paul Hook (RMC 2002) and the RMC Legacy

For Paul Hook, RMC Class of 2002, the path to the Royal Military College of Canada was shaped early by family. His father, Brian Hook (RRMC/RMC 1968), and his uncle, Doug Smith (RMC 1968), attended RMC, a legacy that introduced Paul to the College and its values long before he arrived as a cadet himself. For Paul and twin brother David Hook (RMC 2004) those connections opened the door, but it was Paul’s own commitment to service, leadership, and continuous growth that defined the career that followed.

Paul’s military career took him across Canada and around the world, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2005 and an international posting as Deputy Canadian Defence Attaché in Jordan and Israel from 2016 to 2022. He served in a range of operational and staff roles within the Canadian Army, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff group, and Military Personnel Command, gaining broad experience in leadership, planning, and personnel support. His final posting as a Senior Business Planner in the Canadian Army reflected the trust placed in his judgment and leadership.

It was during this international posting that Paul experienced one of his most memorable examples of the enduring RMC network in action. Reconnecting after more than a decade, he was invited by fellow RMC 2002 graduate Scott Robinson, then Commanding Officer of HMCS Ville de Québec, to visit the ship. Paul made the journey from Jordan to Israel to take him up on the invitation, an experience he describes as unforgettable. It was a powerful reminder that the bonds formed at RMC extend far beyond graduation, reconnecting alumni across continents and careers in meaningful and unexpected ways.

Yet, for Paul, one of the most impactful chapters of his career brought him back to where it all began.

From 2013 to 2015, he returned to RMC as a Division Commander, serving alongside two other graduates from the Class of 2002. It was here that Paul focused on what mattered most: preparing the next generation of officers for the realities of leadership. He challenged himself with a simple question — “what did I wish I had known as a cadet?" and built his approach around the answer.

Drawing on his own experiences, Paul worked to give Officer and Naval Cadets practical tools that would set them apart in their first units. He spoke candidly about the challenges young officers would face, not just operationally, but personally and professionally. From navigating morale issues and financial pressures to supporting members through relationship breakdowns or mental health struggles, Paul emphasized that leadership is ultimately about people. His goal was clear: to ensure cadets left RMC not only prepared to lead but equipped to care for those they would one day command.

That commitment to real-world leadership continues in his work today. At CIMVHR, Paul remains closely connected to the military and veteran community, helping advance research and collaboration that improves the health and well-being of those who serve and their families. It is a natural extension of a career rooted in service and a reflection of the enduring values instilled at RMC.

Paul Hook’s story is one of connection, to RMC, to the profession of arms, and to the people he has led and mentored along the way. It is a powerful reminder that while the CMC experience may begin with a shared foundation, its true impact is carried forward through alumni supporting one another and shaping the next generation of leaders.

A proud moment for the CMC community. This transfer of command at NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia showcases the leadership of Col Kris Reeves (RMC 2001) and Col David Brassard (RMC 2000) exemplifying Truth, Duty, Valour in service alongside our allies.

Global Media Leader, Cross-Border Strategist, and Digital Ecosystem Builder: Alumni Spotlight- David Macdonald, RMC 1995

From the Pipes and Drums Band to global boardrooms, David Macdonald’s journey reflects the adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and leadership that define Royal Military College alumni. A graduate of RMC in 1995 with honours, he distinguished himself academically with a dissertation examining British defence strategy on the Northwest Frontier, foreshadowing a career shaped by complex geopolitical and market environments.

Following RMC, Macdonald pursued a Master of Science in East Asian Business at the University of Sheffield, graduating with distinction. His studies focused on Japanese, Chinese, and Korean economics and included immersive research in Japan, an experience that would set the stage for a remarkable international career.

Over the past three decades, Macdonald has built a career at the forefront of the global media and technology sectors, evolving alongside the digital age itself. Beginning with early web development in rural Japan, he went on to play key roles in pioneering mobile content platforms with NTT DOCOMO and Disney and later helped scale YouTube’s Asia-Pacific creator ecosystem into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.

His leadership roles have spanned some of the world’s most influential media organizations. As President of Discovery’s joint venture with J:COM, he managed a $100M+ cable business and led a strategic restructuring that positioned the company for the streaming era. He later served as Head of Networks for Warner Bros. Discovery Japan, where he oversaw complex integration efforts following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, driving operational alignment and cultural transformation across the combined organization.

Today, Macdonald brings his extensive executive and board-level experience to his own advisory firm, providing strategic guidance to global media and technology companies navigating cross-border growth and market entry, particularly in Japan. He also advises emerging digital health and technology startups, maintaining a hands-on connection to innovation and evolving technologies such as AI.

Across every stage of his career, Macdonald has demonstrated a unique blend of operational leadership, cultural fluency, and forward-thinking strategy. His ability to bridge markets and industries speaks to the enduring value of an CMC education grounded in discipline, enriched by global perspective, and committed to excellence.

Test Pilot. Combat Leader. Global Aviation Strategist. Alumni Spotlight: Billie Flynn, CMR RMC 1981

From the skies over Kosovo to the cutting edge of fifth-generation fighter development, Billie Flynn (CMR RMC 1981) has built a remarkable career defined by excellence, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of innovation.

A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, Flynn went on to serve 23 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, retiring as a Lieutenant-Colonel and Combat Squadron Commander. His operational experience includes leading 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron and commanding Canadian Task Force Aviano during Operation Allied Force, where he flew combat missions over Kosovo and the former Republic of Yugoslavia, contributing to a unit later awarded Battle Honours by Queen Elizabeth II.

A pioneer from the outset, Flynn was the first pilot selected to fly the CF-18 Hornet in 1984. His career quickly expanded into the world of advanced flight testing, including work with the United States Air Force, NASA, and allied partners.

Following his military service, Flynn continued to shape the future of aviation on the global stage. As Senior F-35 Experimental Test Pilot for Lockheed Martin, he played a critical role in the development of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft, one of the most advanced and complex defence programs in history. He also served as the program’s global spokesperson and designed and flew the F-35’s first international airshow demonstration, debuting at the 2017 Paris Air Show.

Across more than four decades of flying, Flynn has logged over 5,000 flying hours in more than 80 different aircraft, a testament to both his technical mastery and extraordinary adaptability.

Today, Flynn continues to influence the future of aerospace and defence as a Global Strategic Advisor, offering insight into advanced aviation technologies, defence procurement, NATO interoperability, NORAD modernization, and Arctic sovereignty. Known for his ability to translate highly complex technical concepts into clear, practical insights, he remains a sought-after voice in both industry and public discourse.

A Fellow and former President of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Flynn’s career embodies the very essence of the CMC’s values—Truth, Duty, Valour—demonstrated not only in his achievements, but in his enduring contributions to Canada and its allies.

Billie Flynn is a leader who has served with distinction, pushed the boundaries of his profession, and continues to shape the future of global defence and aviation.

Celebrating Alumni Excellence: Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Class of 1994

The Royal Military Colleges Alumni community is proud to congratulate Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, RMC Class of 1994, on his appointment as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.

This appointment marks an important milestone in a distinguished career defined by operational command, strategic leadership, and dedicated service to Canada. From his early years as a naval officer to his leadership of the Royal Canadian Navy, Vice-Admiral Topshee has built an exceptional record of service that reflects the values of leadership, duty, and integrity fostered at RMC.

Over the course of his career, he has held significant command and staff appointments at sea and ashore, including leadership roles with HMCS Algonquin, Canadian Fleet Pacific, Maritime Forces Pacific, and Joint Task Force Pacific. His service has also included strategic and joint assignments with NORAD, United States Northern Command, and deployment to Afghanistan in support of NATO’s training mission.

As Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, Vice-Admiral Topshee provided steady leadership during a period of significant change, helping shape conversations around readiness, modernization, and the future of Canada’s maritime capabilities. His appointment as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff reflects both the depth of his experience and the confidence placed in his leadership at the highest levels of the Canadian Armed Forces.

We extend our warm congratulations to Vice-Admiral Topshee on this remarkable achievement and wish him every success in this important national leadership role.

Happy 150th Anniversary to the Royal Military College of Canada!

On June 1, 2026, we proudly celebrate a remarkable milestone-150 years of leadership, learning, service, and contribution to Canada by the Royal Military College of Canada.

Since opening its doors in 1876, RMC has helped shape generations of graduates who have served our country with distinction in uniform and beyond as leaders in the Canadian Armed Forces, in public service, in science and innovation, in education, in business, and in communities across our nation.

From the parade square to positions of national and international influence, RMC graduates have helped strengthen Canada through courage, character, and an enduring commitment to service.

Today, we celebrate not only the College’s proud history, but also the extraordinary people who carry forward its values of Truth, Duty, Valour. Here’s to 150 years of excellence, impact, and national service and to the many generations of graduates who continue to make Canada stronger.