Lieutenant-General S.R. Kelsey, CMM, CD
Senior Serving StrathconaStephen R. Kelsey was educated in British Columbia and began his career in 1985 as a soldier with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Commissioning in 1988 he served with the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s) in Lahr, West Germany before joining his beloved Regiment, Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). A proud Cavalry Officer, his formative years were in the 80s and 90s with Leopard tank and armoured reconnaissance units in 4th, 2nd and 1st Canadian Mechanized Brigade Groups. Between 2010 and 2012 he commanded Western Area Training Centre before appointment as Deputy Commander Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre. In 2015 he assumed command of the Canadian Force Base Kingston where he also served as Director Armour (2013-2016). LGen Kelsey has seen operational service in both Croatia and Montenegro with the UN, twice in Afghanistan, and most recently with the US 1st Infantry Division (the Big Red One) in Iraq as Chief of Staff Combined Joint Force Land Component Command HQ during the fight for Mosul. Between 2017 and 2020 he worked as Director General Land Capability Development and Chief of Staff Army Strategy. Prior to his current assignment as Deputy Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples, he completed two years as Chief Force Development. |