Lieutenant General Walter Piatt enlisted in the Army in 1979 after graduating from Somerset Area High School and served in the Army as an Infantryman for four years. Following his enlistment, he attended Lock Haven University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology; commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in 1987. 

His military education includes the School of Advanced Military Studies, and a fellowship with the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University's Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service. He holds two masters degrees in military history and military science and an honorary doctorate degree for public service from Lock Haven University. 

Lieutenant General Piatt served in numerous positions all over the world to include tours in Korea, Panama, Hawaii, Alaska and Germany.  He completed several operational deployments to include Suriname, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq, and published two books from his experience in Afghanistan. 

Lieutenant General Piatt served as the Commanding General for the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum from 2017 – 2019.  In March of 2018 the Division deployed to Iraq and assumed duties as the Coalition Joint Force Land Component Command (CJFLCC) where LTG Piatt led the transition of the CJFLCC to the Iraqi Security Forces.  

Walt is honored to serve as the 57th Director of the Army Staff.