Jonathan Vance
Jonathan Holbert "Jon" Vance is a Canadian Army general who serves as Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Military career
Born in Kingston, Ontario, Vance joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1982 and was commissioned as an infantry officer upon graduation from Royal Roads Military College in 1986. He served as deputy commander of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples, and Commander of the Canadian Task Force in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2009 and 2010. He went on to be Commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command in September 2014 and Chief of Defence Staff on July 17, 2015.Vance holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Military and Strategic Studies from Royal Roads Military College, and a Master of Arts degree in War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.
On July 23, 2020, Vance announced his intention to retire as Chief of Defence Staff after 5 years in office, and will serve until his replacement is named. Despite being a potential candidate for an upcoming vacancy as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, the federal government announced its intention not to pursue the competition.
Family
His father, Jack Vance, was a Canadian Lieutenant-General who had been the Vice Chief of Defence Staff in 1985.Honours and decorations
Vance has received the following orders and decorations during his military career:| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
| Order of Military Merit |
| |
| Meritorious Service Cross | ||
| General Campaign Star | ||
| Special Service Medal | ||
| Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal | ||
| UNPROFOR | ||
| Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal | ||
| Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal | ||
| Canadian Forces Decoration | ||
| Commander of the National Order of the Legion of Honour | ||
| Order of Viesturs, First Class | ||
| Commander of the National Order of the Star of Romania |