Major Canatsey graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in May of 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. In December 2008 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant after completing the Officer Candidates Course in Quantico, VA.
Major Canatsey promptly began his training at The Basic School, graduating in July 2009 and moving to Pensacola, FL to begin flight training. Major Canatsey completed Aviation Preflight Indoctrination in Pensacola and moved on to Corpus Christi, TX for primary flight training in the T-34C. After primary, Major Canatsey returned to Pensacola once again for intermediate helicopter flight training in the TH-57B/C at Naval Air Station Whiting Field. Upon completion, Major Canatsey finished his flight training at Training Squadron 35 in the C-12, and was winged a Naval Aviator on 10 November 2011. Major Canatsey was then transferred to the Fleet Replacement Squadron for the MV-22B Osprey, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron (VMMT) 204 where he graduated a Tiltrotor Second Pilot (T2P) and began his Fleet Tour in San Diego, CA at Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165, the White Knights. While at VMM-165, Major Canatsey served as the Ground Safety Officer, Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) Officer, Current Operations Officer, Administrative Officer in Charge, and Airframes Officer in Charge. During his Tour with the White Knights, Major Canatsey deployed in 2013 to Afghanistan as part of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, and in 2015 to Kuwait in support of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis-Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
In June of 2016 Major Canatsey transferred to VMM-364, the Purple Foxes. While at the Foxes, Major Canatsey was a student of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) in the fall of 2016. He served as Flightline Officer in Charge, Pilot Training Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer. He deployed once again in support of SPMAGTF-CR-CC and Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in 2017. Upon return from deployment, Major Canatsey returned to Yuma as an Augmentation Instructor Pilot for the spring WTI class of 2018.
In June 2018, Major Canatsey was selected to join Marine Helicopter Squadron (HMX) One in Quantico, VA. He served as the Airframes Officer in Charge, Flightline Officer in Charge, and Quality Assurance Officer in Charge as well as earning his White House Tiltrotor Aircraft Commander designation. While at HMX-1, Major Canatsey deployed to both CONUS and OCONUS locations in direct support of the White House Military Office, the President, and the Vice President of the United States.
Major Canatsey returned to the Fleet in September 2021, joining his current unit, VMM-362, the Ugly Angels as the Director of Safety and Standardization and Executive Officer.
Major Canatsey is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Expeditionary Warfare School, Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course, Command and Staff College, and the Aviation Safety Commander’s Course. His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal Strike/Flight (w/numeral 5), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award), and the Presidential Service Badge.