Derek Christian

Rear Admiral Derek Christian 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.

He attended the US Naval War College from 1996 to 1997. 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 and was promoted to rear admiral (junior grade) in May 2006. In April 2009, he was posted to Naval Headquarters and assumed the post of Director Naval Logistics in 2011.

He was appointed Deputy Chief of Joint Operations in April 2016 and appointed as the acting Chief of Joint Operations in October 2016. , he was due to retire.

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. His medals include the Military Merit Medal and the Legion of Merit from the United States as well as the Tamandare Medal of Merit