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Jean-Louis Georgelin

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Jean-Louis Georgelin
Jean-Louis Georgelin
Born (1948-08-30) 30 August 1948 (age 76)
Aspet, Haute-Garonne
AllegianceFrance
Service / branch French Army
Years of service1967–2010
RankGeneral
Chief of the Military Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff
Unit153rd infantry regiment
AwardsLégion d'honneur
Ordre national du Mérite
Bundesverdienstkreuz
Legion of Merit
Other workGreat Chancellor of the Légion d'honneur
Jean-Louis Georgelin and Nicolas Sarkozy

Jean-Louis Georgelin (born 30 August 1948 in Aspet, Haute-Garonne) is a French Army General who was Chief of the Defence Staff ("Chef d'état-major des armées", CEMA) between 4 October 2006 and 25 February 2010. Since 9 June 2010, he has served as Great Chancellor of the French national order, the Légion d'honneur.

Biography

After nine years at the Prytanée National Militaire, Georgelin joined Saint-Cyr in 1967. As a lieutenant, he was Chef de Section (Platoon Commander) at the École d'application de l'infanterie (Infantry School) from 1975 to 1976, responsible for the training of non-commissioned officers. He served with the 153rd infantry regiment as a Captain.

As a "Commandant"(Major), he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth and then from the Institute of Higher National Defence Studies (IHEDN) in Paris.

From 1985 to 1988, as a Lieutenant-colonel, he was in charge of a class at Saint-Cyr (promotion Cadets de la France Libre). He then served at the chief of staff of the Army at the financial department from 1988 to 1991. He was aid to the chief of cabinet of the Prime Minister from 1994 to 1997. From 1998 and 2002 he served at the general staff of the Army, directing the "plans, programmes and evaluations" division.

Georgelin was personal chief of staff of President Jacques Chirac from 25 October 2002 to 4 October 2006. Promoted to général d'armée the 3d October 2003.

He was promoted to Chief of the Defence Staff by the ministerial council of 20 August 2006. He became the Great Chancellor of the French national order of the Legion of honor by the ministerial council of 9 June 2010.[1]

On 17 April 2019 Georgelin was appointed as special representative to oversee the reconstruction of Notre-Dame-de-Paris after it was severely damaged by fire.[2]

Honours

Notes

Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the Military Staff of the President of the Republic
10 May 2002–2 September 2006
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the Defence Staff
4 October 2006 – 24 February 2010
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour
9 June 2010–31 August 2016
Succeeded by