Born on April 20, 1939 in Paris. Married and father of four children.

Graduated from the Military Academy of Saint-Cyr (1958-1960), holder of a diploma of general staff, graduated from the French War College. Served in units of the Foreign Legion and of the Armored Corps in Algeria, then in France. In charge of the Academy of the Armored troops in Zaire from 1981 to 1983. In command of a tank battalion (1984-1986).

Worked at the Information & PR department, Joint Staff (cabinet). Chief of Staff of the 10th Armored division (1986-1989). Instructor at the Superior War School in Paris (Ecole Supérieure de Guerre; 1983-1984), senior executive at the Institute for Higher Defense Studies (IHEDN) in Paris (1989-1990). Adviser at the Secrétariat Général de la Défense Nationale (SGDN), in charge of the secretariat of the Defense Councils (1990-1994).

Director of the Foundation for Defense Studies (1994-1996).

Official representative to the Defense minister's departmental staff, then to the Chief of Staff of the Army (1997-1998).

Teaching: Seminar of Strategy at the University Paris XI (3rd cycle) since 1997, professor at the Institute of Studies Of the International Relations (ILERI) since 1994, lecturer in several French and foreign universities.

Publications: « La violence qui vient » (Arléa, 1997), « Incitation à la réflexion stratégique » (Economica, 1998), « Le métier de soldat » (Economica, 2002). Author of more than thirty articles on defense and strategy topics.

Knight Commander of the Legion of Honor and of the Ordre national du Mérite.