Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey, is a senior officer serving in the Canadian Army. He served as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff from August 2024 to May 2026.
Military career Kelsey joined the Canadian Army in 1985 and was commissioned in 1988. He became commander of the Western Area Training Centre in 2010, Director of Armour in 2013 and commander of CFB Kingston in 2015. After being deployed to Iraq, he became Canadian Army Director General Land Capability Development and Chief of Staff Strategy in 2017, Chief Force Development in 2020 and deputy commander at Allied Joint Force Command Naples in June 2022. On August 1, 2024, he assumed office as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.
Honours and decorations Source: Ribbon Description Notes Order of Military Merit (CMM) Commander 2022; Officer 2019 General Campaign StarSouth-West Asia General Campaign StarExpedition Special Service MedalCanadian Peacekeeping Service MedalUN Military Observer Mission in Prevlaka (Croatia)With "2" NumeralUN Special Service MedalQueen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD) 2 Clasps, 32 years of Canadian Forces serviceLegion of MeritUnited States of America, Degree of OfficerMeritorious Service MedalUnited States of AmericaNational Defence MedalFrance, Degree of Gold
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