Derek Christian
Derek John Christian | |
---|---|
![]() Christian (left) in 2001 | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1975 - date |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
Commands |
|
Awards |
Rear Admiral Derek Christian MMM LOM (USA)[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.
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
References
- ^ a b c d "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.
{{cite web}}
: 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.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ a b 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).