Johan Retief

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

For the Namibian rugby union player, see Johan Retief (rugby union).

Vice Admiral

Johan Frans Retief

SD & Bar PG SM MMM SAN (Rtd)
Born (1946-03-20) 20 March 1946
Cape Town, South Africa
Allegiance South Africa
Service/branch South African Navy
Years of service1967–2005
RankVice Admiral
Commands held
  • Chief of the South African Navy
  • Inspector General SANDF
  • Chief of Naval Operations
  • SAS Jim Fouche
AwardsSouthern Cross Decoration SD & Bar iPhrothiya yeGolide PG Southern Cross Medal SM 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) ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Order of Naval Merit '

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)
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

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.



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