Derek Christian
Rear Admiral Derek Christian MMM LOM[1] is a South African Navy officer, currently serving as Deputy Chief of Joint Operations Division (Special Forces) as from 1 April 2016. He is the former Director of Naval Logistics.
Derek John Christian | |
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Christian (left) in 2001 | |
Allegiance | South Africa |
Service/ | South African Navy |
Years of service | 1975 - date |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
Commands held |
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Awards |
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Military career
After completing school at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth he joined the Navy in 1975. He completed a BMil degree at the Military Academy and then joined the Strike Craft flotilla before volunteering for submarines in 1980.[1]
He attended the US Naval War College from 1996 to 1997.[2] After returning to South Africa he was appointed as the Naval Attache in Washington.
He became the 17th Commandant of the South African Military Academy in 2006[3] and was promoted to rear admiral (junior grade) from May 2006.[4] In April 2009 he was posted to Naval Headquarters and assumed the post of Director Naval Logistics in 2011.[5]
He was appointed Deputy Chief of Joint Operations in April 2016 and appointed acting Chief of Joint Operations in October 2016.[6] He is due to retire on 28 February 2017.[7]
Honours and awards
He completed an MBA at the University of Cape Town as well as an MA in International Relations from Salve Regina University.[1] His medals include the Military Merit Medal and the Legion of Merit from the United States[1] as well as the Tamandare Medal of Merit[6]
List
- Military Merit Medal (MMM)
- Legion of Merit (LOM) (USA)
References
- "Statement and CV of Derek Christian" (PDF). The Arms Procurement commission. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-11-27.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "People". Die Burger. April 15, 2006. Archived from the original on November 12, 2014. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
- http://www.dod.mil.za/news/news2009/june/pages28.pdf
- "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-11-12. Retrieved 2014-11-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Helfrich, Kim (October 20, 2016). "Two star admiral is acting Joint Ops Chief". Defenceweb. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- Helfrich, Kim (2016). "New JOps deputy chief named, but no word on a new Chief" (published December 2, 2016).
Military offices | ||
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Preceded by Duma Mdutyana |
Acting CJ Ops 2016-2017 |
Succeeded by Barney Hlatswayo |
Preceded by Mbulelo Phako |
Deputy CJ Ops 2016-2017 |
Succeeded by Eddie Drost |
Preceded by Tawana Manyama |
Commandant of the Military Academy 2006-2009 |
Succeeded by Lindile Yam |