Overview
After two A levels in Science and in Philosophy, in 1965 General Henri BENTEGEAT entered the Special Military School of Saint-Cyr, before joining the marines.
Later he graduated with a first in History and followed courses at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, in order to broaden his military background.
His professional career is just as impressive... Platoon commander of the 43rd armoured marine infantry regiment in Offenburg, then of the 1st inter-service overseas regiment in Dakar, his taste for adventure, command and for France naturally led him to leading the French armed forces in Chad, but also in Djibouti, the French West Indies and in Central Africa.
"I don't believe you can eradicate war".
In the 1990s he worked as a diplomat with François MITTERAND and, then, with Jacques CHIRAC, as the President of the Republic's Chief of Staff.
A past master in the art of ironing out disputes, the 5-star general was made Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, which office he held from 2006 to 2009.
In his book entitled "Chefs d’Etat en guerre", Général Henri BENTEGEAT outlines the decisions political leaders have to take, which sometimes lead to the ultimate sacrifice, but also the complexity of their relationship with the military leaders who must carry them out.
Photo Gallery