Brigadier General I.C. Poulter enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1976 and attended both Royal Roads Military College and Royal Military College. Graduating in 1980 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering he commissioned into the Land Ordnance Engineers.
His early career saw him serve in 2 Service Battalion, 2 PPCLI and twice in 4 Service Battalion where he commanded Maintenance Company from 1989 to 1991. He has also served in various staff positions in 1 Canadian Division Headquarters, Land Forces Command Headquarters and National Defence Headquarters. He has also served at the Canadian Forces School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering as the Regimental Company Commander and Chief Instructor.
Brigadier General Poulter completed the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff Course in 1986 and Course 20 of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in 1994.
Following an operational deployment to Zagreb, Croatia with the NATO Support Command Headquarters, in June 1997, he assumed command of 2 Service Battalion. During his time as Commanding Officer, the Battalion conducted two rotations to Bosnia, supported the Disaster Assistance Response Team deployment to Honduras and was deployed to the Ottawa area during OP RECUPERATION.
Relinquishing command in June 1999, Brigadier General Poulter was promoted to the rank of Colonel and assumed the duties of Project Director, Project Management Office, Quality of Life within ADM(HR-Mil). In December 2001, Brigadier General Poulter assumed the functions of the Executive Assistant to the CDS; a post he held until December 2003 when he was selected to attend the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, England.
Upon his return to Canada, Brigadier General Poulter was appointed the Commander of 2 Area Support Group in Toronto on 25 January 2005. In this capacity, Brigadier General Poulter commanded the bases, support units, and Area Troops (Military Police, Intelligence, and CIMIC units) resident in Land Force Central Area.
Brigadier General Poulter was promoted to his current rank and appointed Director General Land Staff effective 18 April 2006.
