Naval Reserve supports training delivery for RMC Cadets

August 11, 2025 – Royal Canadian Navy

Estimated read time – 1:30

Caption

NCdts from RMC perform Colours at HMCS Cataraqui in Kingston, Ont. on June 24, 2025.
DND Photo by SLt Rosa Gutierrez.

Over the summer, twenty-four naval cadets (NCdts) from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) have been busy between Kingston and the West Coast, taking part in the Naval Environmental Training Program for Officers (NETPO).

This year’s program marked an interesting departure from tradition. For the first time in recent history, NETPO was delivered in partnership with the Naval Reserve, leveraging its expertise, facilities, and coordination efforts to provide a more flexible, modular program closer to home. As a result, portions of the course were delivered at HMCS Cataraqui, the local Naval Reserve Division of Kingston, Ont.

NETPO is the first step most sailors take as they embark on life at sea. The course focuses on core seamanship skills. Over the past five weeks, these NCdts received training in flood response force protection, weapons handling, and sea survival. They handled lines, learned to identify flags and pennants, and participated in ceremonial drills. As naval officers, they also examined foundational leadership principles.

Upon completing the course, these twenty-four NCdts got to put their training into practice aboard an ORCA-Class training vessel. During this final phase, they worked through their qualification packages, taking on key roles on the bridge like helmsperson and lookout. They also stood duty watches and learned more from the various subject matter experts aboard about the ship’s systems and how it all operates.

Reflecting on the summer’s success, LCdr Kevin Ng, Senior Staff Officer, Readiness and Training for the Naval Reserve’s Central Region, said, “This is a proud moment for the Naval Reserve. We’ve shown that our reservists bring valuable capabilities to the table and can play an important role in helping the Navy meet its training goals.”

Twenty-four NCdts are now heading back to RMC NETPO-qualified, but the real success of this summer’s training may lie in how the course was delivered — through collaboration, teamwork, and innovative approaches to training the Navy’s future leaders.