Day 6 - RCMP Training Academy

Note: If you click on the pictures you will be able to enlarge them. Unfortunately, not all of them seem to want to cooperate. But then you can see the details of the parade better.

We had to be in Regina by 11:00 am today (Friday) as we were going to the RCMP Training Academy for a tour. This whole holiday, so far, is jam packed and I am also working on other people's schedules, or tour type open and close times, so we haven't hit a 'rest spot' yet. We are having lots of fun, but the time is just very busy!!

We got to the Academy in the nick of time for the 11:00 am tour of the Police Depot, as it is called. We learned so much while we were being taken around the grounds.

To be an RCMP officer a person has to be 19 years of age, have a high school grade 12, speak English or French fluently, and be a Canadian citizen. But it is not easy to become a cadet. Only about 10% of the applicants get chosen to become RCMP cadets. There are so many cadets going through training that they have a graduation every week, and a new troop begins training every week!

This is a memorial to all the fallen officers. Everytime a cadet passes this site they are required to stop and salute the memorial.

The police officers start off as "Cadets". As they pass different levels they are given bits of their uniform. So when we saw guys and girls running or walking around in blue pants and runners we knew they were the lowest rung on the training ladder.

Notice their running shoes?

Mountie Boots Cadet

This cadet has now moved up to the level where he has his striped pants, plus his hat and Mountie boots.

If I remember correctly this is how the levels go: next they receive their black boots; then their blue pants with yellow stripe; then their Mountie brown boots; and finally their red serge Mountie coat.

This is a beautiful stained glass window in the chapel.

While we were on our tour we saw cadets absolutely everywhere. It was interesting to see that they do not 'walk' anywhere - they march. Below, they are marching to the Mess Hall for lunch. Notice they do not have a yellow stripe on their pants, but they do have the black boots. They are not the first level.

Marching to Mess Hall

The boys had a chance to meet two of the horses that are used in the Parade. These two horses were not used today; they were just their to meet the guests.

After we had met the horses and done the tour, there was going to be the noon parade. This was amazing! Talk about making you feel patriotic!!! These guys may not be in Afghanistan fighting for our country, but they are in Canada fighting to keep us safe! It was very moving to see so many officers marching and see and hear the musical band! Wow!! I wished I had my cam corder to record it!

Cadet living quarters in the rear ground; Parade square in the foreground. All around the parade square there are two lines: one blue and one yellow. You *must not* cross this line. Ask me how I know? *laugh* This line represents the fallen officers, as after a battle? they lay all the officers in a row and then in a square. This is representative of this.

The Band

Yellow Stripe Cadets

Plain Blue Pants with Black Boot Cadets

All Troops Lined Up

It was very hot, so Cooper is keeping his head from burning with my sweater.

This officer on the left is in charge of all the troops. This is the position in Cadets that our oldest son is working so hard to achieve. He and another cadet are neck and neck in the race to see who will achieve this RSM level of leadership this June!

I can't remember the name of this (RSM - if he were a cadet) in front. This is the position Colt is vying for in Cadets. It was really neat to see the RCMP cadets in troops and have Dane able to show me which position Colt holds right now: CSM - that means he is the Cadet in charge of a troop - he holds the position of Warrant right now.

Officer in Charge of all Troops

Heading Off Parade Square

The man on the left is the officer in charge of *all* troops, and the other three officers are the men in charge of the individual troops we saw today


Below are some of the exhibits in the police heritage museum. It is a beautiful museum. The whole heritage site and tour was so worth seeing. We spent four hours there and needed more time.

After we had done the tours we got to see a police dog demonstration and learn about the dogs.





We had a little fun with the boys after we had done all the tours. They took pictures in the Mountie uniform and as caricatures.

Cutie Patootie Constable B.