Rear Admiral Derek John Christian | |
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Christian (left) in 2001
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Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1975–date |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
Commands held |
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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) since 1 April 2016. He is the former Director of Naval Logistics.
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 Attaché in Washington.
He became the 17th Commandant of the South African Military Academy in 2006[3] and was promoted to rear admiral (junior grade) in 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 as the acting Chief of Joint Operations in October 2016.[6] As of 28 February 2017[update], he was due to retire.[7]
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]
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Military offices | ||
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Preceded by | Acting CJ Ops 2016-2017 |
Succeeded by |
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 |
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