Chadli Bendjedid gadhah tugas ing Angkatan Dharat Perancis minangka bintara berjuang wonten ing Indo-China. Piyambakipun mbelot dhateng Front Pembebasan Nasional (FLN) nalika wiwitan perang kamardika Aljazair rikala taun 1954. Minangka anak didik saking Houari Boumedienne, Bendjedid dipunhurmati kaliyan parèntah militèr saking Oran, Aljazair laladan wonten ing taun 1964. After independence he rose through the ranks, becoming head of the 2nd military region in 1964 and Colonel in 1969.