20 Facts About Walter Natynczyk

Walter Natynczyk was the President of the Canadian Space Agency from 2013 to 2014 and Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces from 2008 to 2012.

Walter Natynczyk's Polish father was a soldier in the Polish Army during World War II, and his mother was German.

Walter Natynczyk worked as a Winnipeg Free Press paperboy and a hamburger flipper at a fast food establishment.

Walter Natynczyk attended Royal Roads Military College and College militaire royal de Saint-Jean, graduating in 1979 with a degree in Business Administration.

In 1983, Walter Natynczyk assumed duties as a Squadron Commander at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario.

In May 1994, Walter Natynczyk embarked upon a year-long tour with the United Nations in the former Yugoslavia as Sector South-West Chief of Operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina within HQ 7 Armoured Brigade, then as the Chief of Land Operations, UNPROFOR HQ in Zagreb, Croatia.

In June 1995, Walter Natynczyk was assigned to the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff within National Defence HQ in Ottawa, Ontario.

Walter Natynczyk then commanded his regiment for two years, leading the Dragoons during domestic operations in the Ottawa region during the 1998 ice storm.

Walter Natynczyk returned to Bosnia in 1998 as the Canadian Contingent Commander.

Walter Natynczyk attended the US Army War College, and was appointed Deputy Commanding General, III Corps and Fort Hood.

Walter Natynczyk led the Corps' 35,000 soldiers, consisting of 10 separate brigades, stationed throughout the Iraq Theatre of Operations.

Walter Natynczyk was later awarded the Meritorious Service Cross specifically for his combat efforts in Operation Iraqi Freedom January 2004 to January 2005.

Walter Natynczyk was appointed Chief of Transformation, where he was responsible for implementation of the force restructuring and the enabling processes and policies.

Walter Natynczyk was promoted to lieutenant general, and assumed the responsibilities of the Vice Chief of Defence Staff on June 28,2006.

Walter Natynczyk was promoted to general, and installed as CDS on July 2,2008.

General Walter Natynczyk transferred his appointment at a change of command ceremony in 2012.

Walter Natynczyk retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in December 2012 to take on public service, after transferring control of the defence staff to his successor, RCAF General Thomas Lawson, just 2 months earlier.

Walter Natynczyk was appointed as the 9th Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, effective November 3,2014, during the Harper ministry and continued in his role under Justin Trudeau.

Walter Natynczyk retired from public service in 2021, receiving accolades from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his lifetime dedication and service to Canadians.

Walter Natynczyk was appointed Colonel Commandant of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps in August 2021, and retired from this role in June 2024.