Lt. Gen. Walter "Walt" Natynczyk (Na-TIN-chuck) will assume command of Canada's forces this summer, replacing Gen. Rick Hillier, who retires July 1. Natynczyk, now vice-chief of defence staff, will be promoted to a full general when he assumes the post.

"General Natynczyk and General Hillier have a long history together that will also benefit the Canadian Forces," said Defence Minister Peter MacKay. "There's momentum that is going to continue, and we have in General Natynczyk a person who has enormous respect internationally, within the Canadian Forces and someone who I think is going to be an absolutely exceptional Chief of Defence Staff, a gentleman general."

Natynczyk was born in Winnipeg in 1958 and grew up on Elgin Avenue, a block from the Health Sciences Centre amid some of the toughest streets in the prairie capital. He earned money as a Free Press paper boy and flipping burgers, and respect as a member of the Daniel McIntyre Collegiate football team. He harkened back to those days on the football field when asked whether he agreed with the "gentleman general" moniker.