Bio Commander KFOR

Lieutenant General Markus J. Bentler, German Army

LTG Markus J. Bentler was born on 16 May 1953, in Paderborn, Germany. His military career began 1 July 1972, when he enlisted in the Federal Armed Forces, Army (Infantry). Up to 1974, he completed training as an officer candidate. In 1974, he began his studies at the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Hamburg, Social Sciences, and graduated in 1977.

From 1977 - 1984, he took assignments as a Platoon Leader and Company Commander. From 1984 - 1986, he completed the General Staff Course, Federal Armed Forces College. Other assignments include G 2 Mechanized Infantry Division, 1986 - 1987; G 3 Armored Brigade, 1987 - 1989; and Deputy Army Attaché with the German Embassy, Washington DC, 1989 - 1992.

He became a Commander of a Mechanized Infantry Battalion and served in this capacity from 1992 - 1994, and he served as the Assistant Branch Chief, Armed Forces Staff, MOD Bonn, 1994 - 1996. From July 1996 - June 1999, he was the Chief of Personal Staff of the Chief of Defense.

He attended the National Defense University/National War College, Washington DC, June 1999- June 2000, with honors as a Distinguished Graduate (Masters Degree). From June 2000 - March 2001, he was assigned to the German Army Forces Command in Koblenz. He commanded the Mountain Infantry Brigade 23 from 2001 to 2004 – during this assignment, he served as Commander, Multinational Brigade Southwest, headquartered in Prizren, Kosovo (Dec 02 - Jun 03) and later became Commandant, Army Officer School in Dresden (2004).

He has received numerous military decorations, badges and ribbons. Be-sides this he has been awarded the German Cross of Honour of the Federal Armed Forces in Silver and Gold, the German Bronze Foreign Duty Medal KFOR and the Italian "La Croce commemorativa per la Missione militare di pace KOSOVO" (Commemorative Cross for the Military Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo).

He is married, and his last assignment was as Commander, 10th Armored Division in Sigmaringen (2006 - 2009).