Winnipeg-Born Soldier Gets Top Job in Forces
Summary
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.See the full content of this document
Extract
Winnipeg-Born Soldier Gets Top Job in Forces
Mia Rabson
OTTAWA -- The new Chief of Defence Staff is a "gentleman general" who left behind a childhood in the tough streets of Winnipeg's inner city for a 30-year military career that has taken hi...See the full content of this document
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