Rick Hillier

Rick J. Hillier
General Hillier in 2005
Born	1955 (age 61–62) Campbellton, Newfoundland
Allegiance	Canada
Service/branch	Armour
Years of service	1973–2008
Rank	General
Commands held	Multi-National Division (South-West), ISAF, Chief of the Land Staff, Chief of the Defence Staff
Battles/wars	War in Afghanistan
Awards	Commander of the Order of Military Merit Meritorious Service Cross Canadian Forces Decoration

General Rick Hillier OC, CMM, ONL, MSC, CD (born 1955) is a former Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces. He held this appointment from February 4, 2005, to July 1, 2008. He retired on July 1, 2008, and was replaced by former Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS) Walter Natynczyk. He is also the highest ranking Newfoundland and Labrador officer in history.

Born in 1955 and raised in Campbellton, Notre Dame Bay, Newfoundland, he graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

He was posted to his first regiment, the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's) in Petawawa, Ontario, and subsequently to the Royal Canadian Dragoons in Lahr, Germany. He has also served as a staff officer at Force Mobile Command Headquarters at CFB St. Hubert in Montreal, and at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.