he Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) of Regina is an independent organization constituted under the Non-Profit Corporations Act, located in the Capital City of the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada. It is one of approximately twenty-seven United Services Institutes in Canada patterned on the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies located at Sixty-one Whitehall in London, United Kingdom. The Institute in Regina has as its objects the study of military science and the fostering of understanding of Canadian Defence Policy, and participates in this work through the Conference of Defence Associations of Canada of which it is a member.

The United Services Institute of Regina was established after the Great War in 1919 when a group of eighty officers met at the invitation of Brigadier-General, His Honour Alexander Ross, O.C., Q.C., C.M.G, D.S.G, LL.D. to form a military institute. Initially, all members were former or actively serving officers of the Canadian Forces, or of allied forces, but membership now includes persons of civilian background who support the objects of the Institute. The Institute received the designation “Royal” in 1979.

In addition to its objects in supporting the Canadian Forces and understanding of Defence Policy, the RUSI has an extensive social program for its members. The RUSI has conducted the day-to-day operations of the Regina Officers’ Mess (ROM) since 1929, when the “new” Regina Armoury was completed, and still shares premises with the Mess located at 1660 Elphinstone Street under a unique agreement. These premises include dining room, bar and lounge facilities, as well as a library and meeting rooms. The Mess is open regularly Tuesday to Friday for luncheon and administrative services, as well as for numerous special social and information events of the Institute and Officers’ Mess.