Canadian Officers' Training Corps

The Canadian Officers' Training Corps (COTC) was, from 1912 to 1968, Canada's university officer training programme, fashioned after the University Officers' Training Corps (UOTC) in the United Kingdom.^[1] In World War Two the Canadian Army was able to produce quality officers due to the high standards of the COTC.

The programme also existed in French-speaking universities, some technical and classical colleges, and was known as «Corps-écoles des officiers canadiens»^[2] (CÉOC).^[3] Early in the Second World War, the COTC/CÉOC became compulsory for students, except for those holding important positions in the war effort, and those excused for health reasons.^{[citation needed]} Soon after the end of hostilities, the programme reverted to its peacetime volunteer basis.^[4] In 1968 it was abolished, primarily for budgetary reasons but also due to low interest on the part of students at the time, and was replaced by an alternate programme managed through local militia units. A 2010 documentary featured the history and benefits of the COTC, during a campaign aimed at bringing it, or a similar programme, back on Canadian campuses.^[5]