Walker was born on Bastion and raised by a middle class family. He lived a normal and healthy childhood under Imperial rule. He did not enter the military until after completing his advanced education. Even then he chose the Imperial Marines over the Navy. As a ground pounder he fought in several wars over the years as the Imperial Remnant struggled to survive in its war against the New Republic. After the peace treaty he transferred over to the Navy as an officer. Through hard work and some influential friends, he managed to finally get command of his own ship and was elevated to the rank of captain. By the time of the Yuuzhan Vong War he was a well known and respected Imperial officer, a veteran of numerous battles and skirmishes, and officer on the amdiral's list.