Rear Admiral Derek John Christian | |
|---|---|
 Christian (left) in 2001 | |
| Allegiance |  South Africa |
| Service/ |  South African Navy |
| Years of service | 1975–date |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held |
|
| 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.
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] 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]
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 [lower-alpha 1] ( Brazil ) 
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight uniformed services of the United States as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments.
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