Johan Retief

Last updated


Johan Frans Retief

Born (1946-03-20) 20 March 1946 (age 77)
Cape Town, South Africa
AllegianceFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Service/branchNaval Ensign of South Africa.svg  South African Navy
Years of service1967–2005
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held
Awards Ribbon - Southern Cross Decoration & Bar.png Ribbon - iPhrothiya yeGolide.gif Ribbon - Southern Cross Medal (1986).gif Ribbon - Military Merit Medal (South Africa).png Ribbon - Pro Patria Medal (South Africa).gif Ribbon - Southern Africa Medal.gif Ribbon - General Service Medal (South Africa).gif Ribbon - Unitas Medal.gif Ribbon - Medalje vir Troue Diens.gif Ribbon - Good Service Medal, Gold.gif Ribbon - Good Service Medal, Silver.gif Ribbon - Good Service Medal, Bronze.gif Order of Naval Merit - Grand Officer (Brazil) - ribbon bar.png

Vice Admiral Johan Retief SD & Bar PG SM MMM was the Chief of the South African Navy from 2000 to 2005.

Contents

Retief was born on 20 March 1946 in Cape Town, matriculating at Hoërskool Jan van Riebeeck in Cape Town. [1]

Career

He attended the South African Military Academy after completing his Citizen Force training and graduated with a Bachelor of Military Science degree in 1967 and was judged the Best Student in that year. [2]

He was appointed an Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and was selected to attend the Torpedo and Anti-Submarine course at HMS Vernon in Portsmouth, United Kingdom.

He joined the Strike Craft Flotilla, initially as training officer [3] at the inception of the project in 1975. He was the Commissioning Captain of SAS Jim Fouche and attended the Naval Command and Staff Course in 1981. After completing a year as Staff Officer Surface Warfare, he was appointed Director Naval Operations in 1985. After attending the Joint Staff Course in 1988 he served as Senior Staff Officer Research at the Intelligence Division and then as Military Secretary to the Minister of Defence General Magnus Malan and Ministers Roelf Meyer and Gene Louw.

He was promoted to rear admiral and appointed as Chief of Naval Operations with effect from 1 January 1993 [4] [5] until 30 April 1996, after which he served as Inspector-General of the South African National Defence Force.

He was promoted to vice admiral and appointed Chief of the South African Navy on 1 November 2000. [6]

Awards and decorations

Internal Audit Practioner
(Qualification)
SANDF Insignia Internal Audit Practioner badge embossed.png
Black on Thatch beige, Embossed
Internal Audit Investigation

Adm Retief was awarded the following: [7]

See also

Notes

  1. Portuguese: Ordem do Mérito Naval - Grande-Oficial
  2. Spanish: Orden de Mayo (Al Mérito Naval) - Gran Cruz

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References

  1. "Oudleerders erken vir besondere bydraes" [Ex Learners recognised for exceptional contributions]. Die Burger (in Afrikaans). 11 November 2005. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  2. Military Academy Roll of Best Students
  3. "Johan Retief | Who's Who SA". Whoswhosa.co.za. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  4. "Vlootoperasies kry nuwe hoof" [New Head for Navy Operations]. Die Burger (in Afrikaans). 31 December 1992. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  5. "Suid-Afrikaanse Vloot neem afskeid van Hoof van Operasies" [SA Navy bids farewell to Chief of Naval Operations]. Die Burger (in Afrikaans). 19 November 1992. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  6. "Fact file: Chiefs of the South African Navy". DefenceWeb. 21 January 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  7. Netshirembe, Lutuno (2011). "CAF Medal parade" (PDF). Ad Astra (1): 25.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of the South African Navy
2000–2005
Succeeded by
New title
Established at the Secretariat
Inspector General DoD
1997–2000
Succeeded by
Preceded by Inspector General SANDF
1996–1997
Renamed IG DoD with migration of Inspectorate to Defence Secretariat
Preceded by Chief of Naval Operations
1993–1996
Succeeded by
Preceded by
unknown
Military Secretary to Minister of Defence
1990–1992
Succeeded by