Biography - Commander National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group

Brigadier-General K.L. Woiden, OMM, CD

Brigadier-General Woiden spent five years as an Army Cadet before joining the Canadian Armed Forces Army Reserve as an Armoured Reconnaissance Crewman with the British Columbia Dragoons in 1975. He was posted to the Royal Canadian Dragoons in Germany for a flyover task in 1978 and in 1981 was commissioned as an officer. In 1984, he moved to Calgary, Alberta and transferred to The King's Own Calgary Regiment serving as a Troop Leader and Battle Captain.

After completing an Advanced Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering Technology and a Diploma (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology he moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1988 for civilian employment and transferred to The Fort Garry Horse. During thirteen years of Regimental service, he served in numerous command positions from Battle Captain to Commanding Officer in 1997. Brigadier-General Woiden attended the National Security Studies Seminar in 2001 and served in various staff appointments at 38 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG) and Land Force Western Area. He was recalled to 38 CBG as Deputy Commander in April 2003.

In June 2004, Brigadier-General Woiden was promoted to Colonel and appointed Commander of 38 CBG, relinquishing command March 2007. He completed the Advanced Military Studies Programme at Canadian Forces College, Toronto in 2007. On 12 January 2008, Brigadier-General Woiden was promoted to his current rank and appointed Deputy Commander Land Force Western Area (LFWA) and Joint Task Force West (JTFW).

In March 2011, he deployed as the Assistant Commanding General – Afghanistan National Army Development for NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan for ten months. He was responsible for Coalition efforts in developing the Afghan Ministry of Defence and the General Staff. Upon his return to Canada he was appointed Director General Land Reserve and Chief of Staff Army Reserve. On 6 October 2015, he was appointed Commander of the National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group.

While serving as a part-time reservist, Brigadier-General Woiden was employed at Bristol Aerospace Ltd in Winnipeg, Manitoba from 1988 to 2012. He held various engineering, flight test, program management and business development positions. When he left Bristol he was the Manager of the Composites Manufacturing Centre. He also has a Certificate in Management from the University of Manitoba.

His interests include running, flying, cooking and scuba diving.