Benny Gantz

Benjamin "Benny" Gantz
Benny Gantz, 2011
Native name	בנימין "בני" גנץ
Nickname(s)	Benny
Born	(1959-06-09) June 9, 1959 (age 57) Kfar Ahim, Israel
Allegiance	Israel
Service/branch	Israel Defense Forces
Years of service	1977–2015
Rank	Rav Aluf (Lieutenant general)
Unit	Paratroopers Brigade
Commands held	890 "Efe" (Echis) Airborne Battalion (1987–1989), Shaldag Unit (1989–1992), Reserve Paratroopers Brigade (1992–1994), Judea Regional Brigade (1994–1995), Paratroopers Brigade (1995–1997), "Etgar" Division (1998–1999), Lebanon Liaison Unit (1999–2000), Northern Corps (2001), Judea and Samaria Division (2000–2002), Northern Command (2002–2005), Ground Forces Command (2005–2007), Military Attaché in the United States (2007–2009), Deputy Chief of General Staff (2009 – November 2010), Chief of the General Staff (February 14, 2011 – February 16, 2015)
Battles/wars	1978 South Lebanon conflict 1982 Lebanon War, South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) First Intifada Second Intifada 2006 Lebanon War Operation Summer Rains Operation Cast Lead Operation Pillar of Defense Operation Protective Edge
Awards	Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States)

Benjamin "Benny" Gantz (Hebrew: בנימין "בני" גנץ‎‎; born June 9, 1959) is an Israeli General and was the 20th Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (February 14, 2011 – February 16, 2015).

Gantz was born in Kfar Ahim, Israel in 1959. His mother is a Holocaust survivor, originally from Mezőkovácsháza, Hungary. Gantz was drafted into the IDF in 1977. He volunteered as a paratrooper in the Paratroopers Brigade, and in 1979 became an officer after completing Officer Candidate School. During his career Gantz has served in a number of roles, including: Commander of the Shaldag Unit in the Israeli Air Force, Commander of the 35th Paratroopers Brigade, Commander of the Reserves Division in the Northern Command, Commander of the Lebanon Liaison Unit, Commander of the Judea and Samaria Division in 2000, before becoming the Commander of the Israeli Northern Command in 2001, and as Israel's military attaché in the United States from 2005 until 2009 before becoming the Deputy Chief of the General Staff.

Gantz has received a number of degrees during his military service. He is a graduate of the IDF Command and Headquarters College and the National Security College. He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Tel Aviv University, a master's degree in political science from the University of Haifa, and an additional Master's Degree in National Resources Management from the National Defense University in the United States.