Local resident and former Esterhazy High School student, Second Lieutenant Casey Cairns, has achieved the significant milestone of graduating from the prestigious Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) with an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. On May 16, Casey officially received his Commission Script and will soon begin training as an Infantry Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
Among nearly 250 graduating cadets, Casey stood out not only for his academic performance but also for balancing the demanding military, physical, bilingual, and leadership requirements known at RMC as the “four pillars.”
“I grew up just off Highway 22 between Grayson and Dubuque,” Casey shared. “My parents, Stuart and DJ, and my brother Nolan still live there. I did kindergarten through Grade 9 in Stockholm and finished high school in Esterhazy. Growing up in a small town gave me a freedom most kids don’t experience, I’d dirt bike from south of Dubuc to Esterhazy and Bredenbury with friends, backpacks full of snacks.”
Casey says his drive to serve began at a young age, rooted in family values and patriotism.
“My dad applied to the Air Force when he was younger, but he wasn’t able to join due to timing and an old injury,” he explained. “That sense of service rubbed off on me. I’d say I knew I wanted to serve by the time I was six or seven.”
The journey through RMC was anything but easy. While students complete full academic programs, they also assume military responsibilities within their peer leadership structure known as the “bar slate.” Casey served as a Squadron Administration Officer, overseeing leave requests and administrative needs for his peers.
“Balancing school, military duties, clubs, and maintaining a social life—time management became the biggest challenge,” he said. “By fourth year, I had very little free time.”
Outside the classroom, Casey participated in the Combat Weapons Team, which focuses on advanced weapon handling and military competitions, and the Expedition Club, which organizes global trips like mountain climbing, funded by alumni, not taxpayers.
Graduating with honours requires cadets to maintain strong performance across all four RMC pillars: academics, bilingualism, physical fitness, and military leadership.
“For Business Admin, we needed to maintain at least a 73 percent average. So it’s not just about passing courses, you’ve got to be consistent across every area,” Casey said. “It’s demanding, but those challenges made earning the honours designation even more meaningful.”
Next, Casey will head to Gagetown, New Brunswick, to complete infantry officer training, a process that can take up to two years. Afterward, he’ll be posted somewhere in Canada, fully trained and ready to lead.
As for advice to others considering the military route, Casey encourages students to be bold.
“When I applied, not many people knew about RMC or what it takes to join. If you’re curious about the military or want to do something different, go for it. The friends I’ve made and the experiences I’ve had, those will stay with me forever.”
Lt. Joel Breton, Public Affairs Officer, encourages anyone interested in RMC or military careers to start with a simple online search.
“Just search online ‘apply to RMC’ and you’ll find everything you need,” he said. “You apply through the Canadian Armed Forces first, then get directed to RMC. For personalized advice, local recruitment centers, like the one in Regina, are incredibly helpful. Talk to alumni or current members too. They’re the best source of real-life insight.”
Students who graduate from RMC are among the best-prepared leaders in the country. The college delivers rigorous academic programs in both official languages, across disciplines like Social Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, and Science. The bilingual, ethical, and physically fit graduates go on to serve across the globe, representing Canada’s values and strength on the international stage.
With a solid foundation from his rural Saskatchewan roots, a strong sense of duty, and the training to match, Second Lieutenant Casey Cairns is poised to make a lasting impact on the Canadian Armed Forces and beyond.