06/11/2026
Alumni Spotlight - A Lifetime of Leadership: Paul Hook (RMC 2002) and the RMC Legacy
For Paul Hook, RMC Class of 2002, the path to the Royal Military College of Canada was shaped early by family. His father, Brian Hook (RRMC/RMC 1968), and his uncle, Doug Smith (RMC 1968), attended RMC, a legacy that introduced Paul to the College and its values long before he arrived as a cadet himself. For Paul and twin brother David Hook (RMC 2004) those connections opened the door, but it was Paul’s own commitment to service, leadership, and continuous growth that defined the career that followed.
Paul’s military career took him across Canada and around the world, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2005 and an international posting as Deputy Canadian Defence Attaché in Jordan and Israel from 2016 to 2022. He served in a range of operational and staff roles within the Canadian Army, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff group, and Military Personnel Command, gaining broad experience in leadership, planning, and personnel support. His final posting as a Senior Business Planner in the Canadian Army reflected the trust placed in his judgment and leadership.
It was during this international posting that Paul experienced one of his most memorable examples of the enduring RMC network in action. Reconnecting after more than a decade, he was invited by fellow RMC 2002 graduate Scott Robinson, then Commanding Officer of HMCS Ville de Québec, to visit the ship. Paul made the journey from Jordan to Israel to take him up on the invitation, an experience he describes as unforgettable. It was a powerful reminder that the bonds formed at RMC extend far beyond graduation, reconnecting alumni across continents and careers in meaningful and unexpected ways.
Yet, for Paul, one of the most impactful chapters of his career brought him back to where it all began.
From 2013 to 2015, he returned to RMC as a Division Commander, serving alongside two other graduates from the Class of 2002. It was here that Paul focused on what mattered most: preparing the next generation of officers for the realities of leadership. He challenged himself with a simple question — “what did I wish I had known as a cadet?" and built his approach around the answer.
Drawing on his own experiences, Paul worked to give Officer and Naval Cadets practical tools that would set them apart in their first units. He spoke candidly about the challenges young officers would face, not just operationally, but personally and professionally. From navigating morale issues and financial pressures to supporting members through relationship breakdowns or mental health struggles, Paul emphasized that leadership is ultimately about people. His goal was clear: to ensure cadets left RMC not only prepared to lead but equipped to care for those they would one day command.
That commitment to real-world leadership continues in his work today. At CIMVHR, Paul remains closely connected to the military and veteran community, helping advance research and collaboration that improves the health and well-being of those who serve and their families. It is a natural extension of a career rooted in service and a reflection of the enduring values instilled at RMC.
Paul Hook’s story is one of connection, to RMC, to the profession of arms, and to the people he has led and mentored along the way. It is a powerful reminder that while the CMC experience may begin with a shared foundation, its true impact is carried forward through alumni supporting one another and shaping the next generation of leaders.
