First Steps on a Rewarding Reserve Career

Westmount, Quebec – 18 May 2026: For two of The Royal Montreal Regiment (RMR)’s newest soldiers, a graduation parade held on Saturday 09 May 2026 marked far more than the presentation of a certificate. It marked the successful completion of their Basic Military Qualification (BMQ), the first formal milestone in what promises to be a demanding and rewarding journey in service to Canada.

For those outside the military, BMQ is often described as “basic,” but there is nothing simple about it. Over weeks of intense instruction, recruits are tested physically, mentally, and emotionally as they develop the discipline, resilience, and teamwork expected of Canadian soldiers. It is where civilians begin the transformation into members of the profession of arms.

For these two young soldiers, however, this is only the beginning.

With BMQ now behind them, both soldiers will soon move on to the next major step in their development: infantry occupational training. There, they will learn the use and care of personal and section-level weapons, fieldcraft, day and night navigation, patrolling, section attacks, defensive operations, and the countless small skills required to earn the right to call themselves infantry soldiers.

The presence of Sergeant Mai in the group photo made the moment especially meaningful. Having helped guide these soldiers through some of their earliest challenges in uniform, he was there to witness the successful completion of their first military course and the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey ahead.

Congratulations to Private Agudelo Gomez and Private Drab on earning their BMQ. The future of the RMR remains in good hands, and their journey has only just begun.