The Major General of the Defence Staff is a high ranking general officer of the French Armed Forces and the deputy to the Chief of the Defence Staff. As such, it is the second highest position in the armed forces. Major Generals are nominated by the Minister of the Armed Forces and appointed by the Commander-in-Chief, the President of the French Republic. The designation of Major General is not indicative of any rank but is rather a position, as the most recent office holders were all four star generals (OF-9).
Image: Een der opstandige generaals Generaal Challe, Bestanddeelnr 912 3956
Image: Amiral Bernard Louzeau, Président de L’Œuvre d’Orient de 2 juin 1992 jusqu’au 10 juin 2008
Image: Jean Rannou par Claude Truong Ngoc septembre 2015
Pierre de Villiers
Videos
Pierre François Marie Le Jolis de Villiers de Saintignon dit Pierre de Villiers is an Army General of the French Army and a former Chief of the Defence Staff. Following a disagreement with President Emmanuel Macron, who is ex-officio Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, he tendered his resignation on 19 July 2017.
French Army Chief général Pierre de Villiers in 2014.
Pierre de Villiers, at the side of United States Army general Martin E. Dempsey, on 23 April 2014.
General Pierre de Villiers receives the Legion of Merit as the United States Navy Ceremonial Band stands at attention (6 February 2017).