Ehud Banai, the legendary Nahal sergeant major, dies at 78

Ehud Banai, the legendary sergeant major of the Nahal Brigade, died Thursday night at the age of 78. He served at Camp 80 from 1968 and later became the brigade’s sergeant major, overseeing thousands of soldiers over the years, including Benny Gantz and Herzi Halevi. He was known as a strict company sergeant major, with a thick mustache, pressed uniform, and the green Nahal beret he always wore.

Banai died in his sleep after complications from diabetes. He left behind two sons and two daughters. His son Aviv said his father had not been well recently, had been hospitalized at Meir Medical Center, and had suddenly stopped responding after dinner. “It caught us by surprise,” Aviv said, adding that the family had thought he might live “a few more good years.”

Aviv said his father still had plans and remained young at heart, including a trip earlier this year to Dubai with his daughters and a recent tour in Eilat with Israel Defense Forces retirees. Banai was discharged from the IDF in 2001, but continued volunteering in the Civil Guard and in military frameworks. During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, he joined an IDF volunteer unit assisting police in the Northern District and also helped establish greenhouses for evacuees from Ganei Tal in Gush Katif.

Beyond the base, Banai became a familiar face on television and in films. He repeatedly stressed that he was not related to the famous Banai family. He appeared in the 1985 film “Bnot,” the 2001 documentary series “Yerushot,” and served as the discipline sergeant in all three seasons of the reality show “The Unit.” He also appeared in commercials for Zoglovek and the Plants Council. Aviv said his father loved the attention, did the media work “for fun,” and never wanted an agent. But, he said, Banai’s greatest love was the army, especially Nahal, and after retirement he worked as a treasurer for the IDF retirees’ group “Tzevet,” where he organized trips and enjoyed the role.