Royal Military College (; abbreviated RMC) is an all-boys military school established to train young Malaysians for service in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF). It is sometimes dubbed "the Malaya's Sandhurst". On 9 December 1966, in a ceremony held at the college, HM Ismail Nasiruddin of Terengganu, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, conferred the "Royal" (Malay: DiRaja) title to the FMC. Hence since 1966, the former Federation Military College came to be known as the Royal Military College.
A current student of RMC is known as a Present Putera, while a graduate of the institution is known as an Old Putera or "OP" in short. The term , literally meaning prince in Malay, is attributed to the RMC's royal status. As of 3 July 2015 (in conjunction with its anniversary), RMC has been authorised to become an IB World School and implement the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Pro (IBDP).
Location The RMC campus covers an area of near the town of Sungai Besi (about 10 miles (16 km) from Kuala Lumpur) with a view of the Mines Resort City and the 1998 Commonwealth Games Bukit Jalil Stadium. RMC shares its grounds with the National Defence University of Malaysia.
Charter The Charter of the Royal Military College states that the Royal Military College was established with the objective of preparing young Malaysians to become Officers in the Malaysian Armed Forces, hold office in the higher divisions of public service and become leaders in the professional, commercial and industrial life of the country.
The motto of the college is "Serve to Lead" or .
History Prior to 1952, there had been what was called the "Training Depot of the Malay Regiment" in Port Dickson. Here courses were held in signals, tactics and military administration. The Depot also provide educational facilities to bring selected members of the Regiment up to the necessary academic standard for acceptance at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, for higher military training, with a view to qualifying for commissioned rank.
On 3 July 1952, Mr. M.E.B. David, the Secretary of Defence, in the Federal Legislative Council Meeting, announced the decision to expand the Malay Regiment Training Depot. The expansion was to result in the formation of The Malay Regiment Training Center, that was to constitute two additional sections: The Pre-Officer Cadet Training Unit (Pre-OCTU) and an inter-racial Boys Company.
The Boys Company was to be part of the Malayan Army, serving the Malay Regiment and the Federation Regiment. The function of the Boys Company was to provide education to sons of serving officers and other ranks in the Malay Regiment, leading to the School Certificate level, coupled with the rudiments of military training.
The first intake of 74 Boys into the Boys Company were recruited in August 1952, from a total of 100 applicants. The ages of the Boys ranged between 14 and 15 years. Their educational qualification, according to a 1952 newspaper bulletin, was to be the equivalent of Standard 4 (English-medium). In addition to these academic requirements those who were shortlisted had to undergo various aptitude tests too.
The task of looking after the academic aspects in the Boys Wing was entrusted to a Director of Studies (DOS) – a civilian Senior Education Officer. He was responsible to the Commandant for carrying out the scholastic policy drawn by the Board of Governors of the college and thus adviser to the Commandant on general educational policies. The DOS had two Senior-Assistants each responsible for the teaching of a group of subjects – called the Head of Science and Mathematics (HOS) and Head of Arts (HOA).
For the purpose of military training, and the co-ordination of domestics military administration required within the Boys Wing, an Officer-in-Charge (O.C.) (later to be known as Chief Instructor - CI) was posted. He was responsible to the Director of Studies (DOS) and thus ultimately to the Commandant.
In September 1954, the Commemoration Foundation Day was celebrated marking the 2nd anniversary of the Boys Company. Present to witness the Commemoration Day Parade were the High Commissioner, Sir Donald MacGillivray, His Highness, the Sultan of Selangor, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, the Federation's Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak and a large number of dignitaries.
By September 1957, the Boys Company of the Malay Regiment had become officially part of independent Malaya and had already graduated a number of young boys preparing for service in the Army, the private sector and public service.
Independence period In 1958, reports of a proposed $20 million cantonment, covering an area of , to be located near Sungai Besi (about from Kuala Lumpur) began appearing in local press. The entire project, expected to be completed by 1963, was financed by the British Government under the United Kingdom Grants-in-aid Funds. An area of was allocated for the new Federal Military College, made on the basis of the Boys Company, Royal Malay Regiment.
The site reserved for the college consisted of scenic surroundings. The new home of the FMC was situated on a hill overlooking a disused mining pool. The college buildings were to be modelled on the lines of some of the best military academies overseas such as West Point in the United States and Royal Military College of Canada. They were to consist of an assembly hall, dormitories, classrooms, a gymnasium, laboratories, some 140 married-quarters for all ranks and civilians employees and a sports complex area with playing grounds and facilities for student athletes.
On 20 June 1961, the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Putra of Perlis, as Supreme Commander of the Malayan Armed Forces, officially opened the new complex. In acknowledgement of the immense debt of which the FMC owed the High Commissioner Field Marshal Tun Sir Gerald Templer, the Assembly Hall was named Tun Templer Hall ().
On 9 December 1966, in a ceremony held at the college, HM Ismail Nasiruddin of Terengganu, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, conferred the "Royal" title to the FMC. This was a great honour for the college for no other educational institution in the history of this nation has the "Royal" title bestowed upon it. Hence since 1966, the former Federation Military College came to be known as the Royal Military College of Malaysia.
On 3 June 1981, the Royal Military College was granted King's and Regimental's Colours from His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong, Tuanku Haji Ahmad Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Abu Bakar, in a historic Presentation of Colours ceremony at the Merdeka Stadium, Kuala Lumpur. This historic ceremony was also witnessed by Her Majesty the Raja Permaisuri Agong, the Deputy Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.
On 20 June 2000, the Old Putra Association (OPA) opened its own building at Subang Jaya, opened by Minister of Transport, Ling Liong Sik.
College anthem The college anthem is entitled (Serve to Lead) which refers to the college motto. The college song is sung during all assemblies.Berkhidmat memimpin cogan yang mulia
Maktab Tentera Diraja yang ternama
Putera-putera sentiasa bersama
Menjunjung harapan nusa dan bangsa
Menuntut ilmu tekun usaha
Bersukan ukir daya sejahtera
Berdikari amalan yang terpuja
Memupuk semangat wira waja
Sports The college has won many awards in various competitions and sports, including rugby and hockey. Its English debating team has won the Prime Minister's Trophy several times, a record also held by Tunku Kurshiah College. The college also organises an annual multi-game competition with Malay College Kuala Kangsar, with the two colleges taking turns to host it.
Sportsman's Prayer The Sportsman's Prayer is inscribed on a bronze plaque, on a white rock that sits by the rugby field in the college compound.
The Sportsman's Prayer is traditionally recited before a sporting competition by the members of a team. The prayer is as follows: Oh God, please help me to win for I always want to win. But if in thy inscrutable wisdom Thou willest me not to win, then make me a good loser. For when the one great scorer comes to write against your name, he writes not that you won or lost, but how you played the game.
Organisation Within the college, each Putera belongs to one of eight Companies. They are: +CompanyColourMottoAlpha(navy blue)Khidmat, Jujur, Pimpin, TegasBravo(yellow)Mulia, Jaya, PerkasaCharlie(green)Cekal, Cergas, KejayaanDelta(red)Disiplin, DedikasiEcho(black)Cekal, Tangkas, JayaFoxtrot(maroon)Sentiasa BerusahaGolf(orange)Gagah, BeraniHotel(light blue)Bersatu Asas Kejayaan
Honours The eight companies compete with each other for four trophies: Piala Ali (academic) Piala Murad (military) Piala Halim (field sports) Piala Razak (other sports)
The winners of the Piala Ali are awarded the Director of Studies' (DOS) collar dots and the Puteras of that company shall be entitled to wear them throughout the following year, making them the DOS Company. Concurrently, Puteras from all companies who managed to score a CGPA of 3.50 and 3.00 and above are awarded individual Gold and Silver pins respectively.
Puteras who had shown active co-curricular participation are entitled the Half Colours title, whereas Puteras who are active in multiple co-curricular activities are entitled the Full Colours title. The highest individual co-curricular honour is the College Blues title, which is presented to any Putera who had proven distinct excellence only in continental and international level co-curriculum. The last recipients of the College Blues was from 2020. Making it the rarest and most sought after award in the college's history. Each title is awarded along with a pin badge to be worn on the recipients No. 3 Uniform and College Green Blazer. In addition, recipients of the College Blues also receive a unique Blue Blazer, tailored specifically for them as a symbol of distinct excellence.
The overall winner is presented the Commandant's Trophy, which is awarded to the winning company at the Annual Passing-out Parade, usually inspected by the defence minister of Malaysia. The victorious company will hold the title of Commandant Company, and all the Puteras of that company shall be entitled to wear a royal yellow lanyard cord on their right shoulder during the Passing-out Parade and for the rest of the academic year.
Ranks Pre-1997 All Companies have four senior rankholders and five junior rankholders.
Every Company is led by one Senior Under Officer (SUO) and assisted by three Junior Under Officers (JUOs), who are fourth year Puteras appointed by the college administration. The terms SUO and JUO are a throwback to the traditions of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, where such titles are still in use today for senior rankholders. Fourth year Puteras who are not rankholders are entitled to be referred to as Senior Puteras (SP).
The SUO is responsible for all aspects of the Puteras under his command, and is the highest ranking Putera in the company. The three JUOs, covering the General, Administration and Quartering billets of the company, are equal in terms of rank and assist the SUO in the running of the company on a day-to-day basis. All Under Officers are entitled to a private bunk each, and SUO's are also entitled to have their meals at the High Table in the Mess Hall. SUO's also carry swagger stick and don Sam Browne belt during official parade (except Passing Out Parade).
SUO's lead their company at all parades and are the main liaisons between the military administration and the Puteras under his care. SUOs and JUOs are also subject to the authority of the company's commissioned officers and instructors, and play a role in the selection of junior rankholders.