Derek Christian

Rear Admiral Derek John Christian MMM LOM (USA)
Christian (left) in 2001
Allegiance	South Africa
Service / branch	South African Navy
Years of service	1975–date
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands	Deputy Chief Joint Operations Division South African Military Academy
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.

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 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]

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)
• Pro Patria Medal
• Southern Africa Medal
• General Service Medal (South Africa)
• Unitas (Unity) Medal
• Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service) (30 Year Clasp)
• Good Service Medal (Silver (20 Years))
• Good Service Medal (Bronze (10 Years))
• Legion of Merit (Officer) (LOM) (USA)
• Tamandaré Medal of Merit [a] (Brazil)

Notes

1. Portuguese: Medalha do Mérito Tamandaré

References

1. "Statement and CV of Derek Christian" (PDF). The Arms Procurement commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
2. "Graduation Program - 13 June 1997 - US Naval War College" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
3. "People". Die Burger. 15 April 2006. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
4. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
5. "Bulletin 2010" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
6. Helfrich, Kim (20 October 2016). "Two star admiral is acting Joint Ops Chief". Defenceweb. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
7. Helfrich, Kim (2016). "New JOps deputy chief named, but no word on a new Chief" (published 2 December 2016).

Military offices
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