Robert W. Higgs

Robert William Higgs

SM MMM SAN
Robert William Higgs; SM MMM SAN
Nickname(s)	Rusty
Born	7 July 1957 (age 64); King Williams Town, Eastern Cape
Allegiance	South Africa
Service/branch	South African Navy
Years of service	1976 – 2016
Rank	Rear Admiral
Commands held	Chief of Naval Staff; Flag Officer Fleet; ;
Awards	Southern Cross Medal (SM); Military Merit Medal (MMM); Legion of Merit (USA);
Spouse(s)	Diana

Rear Admiral(ret) Robert William Higgs SM MMM SAN (7 July 1957, King Williams Town)^[2] is a former-South African Navy officer, who served as Chief of Naval Staff from 1 November 2010 to 31 August 2016.

Military career[]

After matriculating from Grey High School in Port Elizabeth,^[1] he joined the Navy in 1976 as a midshipman, graduating from the South African Naval College in 1978 before attending the South African Military Academy, obtaining a BMil (BSc). He qualified as a mine clearance officer before commanding ^[2]

He then qualified in submarines, becoming first lieutenant on SAS Umkhonto (S98) (Formerly SAS Emily Hobhouse (S98)) in 1989 and Officer Commanding of the SAS Assegaai (Formerly SAS Johanna van der Merwe) in 1991.^[2]

In 1994 he became the first SA Navy officer to attend the US Naval War College. He then obtained a master's degree in International Relations from Salve Regina University in May 1996.^[2]

In 1996 he was promoted to captain, serving as the Director of Naval Force Planning and Director of Naval Strategy.^[1] In 1998 he was appointed the Naval attache to Washington.^[2]

Higgs while Naval Attache

In 2001 he was appointed as SSO Naval Career Management, followed by SSO Navy Public Relations.^[2]

In February 2005 he was promoted to rear admiral (jg) and appointed as Director of Maritime Warfare. He was appointed Chief of Fleet Staff in April 2007^[3] before being appointed Flag Officer Fleet in April 2008^[4] and promoted to rear admiral. On 1 November 2010 he became Chief of Naval Staff.^[5]

Awards and decorations[]

Southern Cross Medal (SM)
Military Merit Medal (MMM)
Pro Patria Medal
Southern Africa Medal
General Service Medal
Unitas Medal
Medalje vir Troue Diens (Medal for Loyal Service with 30 Year Clasp)
Good Service Medal, Silver (20 Years)
Good Service Medal, Bronze (10 Years)
Grand Officer Order of Naval Merit
Legion of Merit (LOM) (Officer) (USA)
Tamandaré Medal of Merit

References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c "Internationally acclaimed policy expert helped shape the future". Navy News. Vol. 35 (6 ed.). 2016. p. 6.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Statement and CV of RW Higgs" (PDF). The Arms Procurement commission. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
^ "Appointments and Promotions of Brigadier Generals/Rear Admirals in the SANDF". Defence Corporate Communication. RSA Department of Defence. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
^ Petersen, Tammy (April 3, 2008). "New flag officer fleet for navy". Die Burger. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
^ "Promotions and transfers: Major General/Rear Admiral". Defenseweb. November 4, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2014.

Military offices
Preceded by George Mphafi	Chief of Naval Staff 2011-2016	Succeeded by Asiel Kubu
Preceded by Hennie Bester	Flag Officer Fleet 2008-2011	Succeeded by Phillip Schoultz
Preceded by Patrick Duze	Chief of Fleet Staff 2007-2008	Succeeded by Samuel Hlongwane

[NavyNews-1] "Internationally acclaimed policy expert helped shape the future". Navy News. Vol. 35 (6 ed.). 2016. p. 6.

[CV-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Statement and CV of RW Higgs" (PDF). The Arms Procurement commission. Retrieved July 24, 2014.

[3] "Appointments and Promotions of Brigadier Generals/Rear Admirals in the SANDF". Defence Corporate Communication. RSA Department of Defence. Retrieved 26 November 2014.

[Burger-4] Petersen, Tammy (April 3, 2008). "New flag officer fleet for navy". Die Burger. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014.

[DWEBpromo-5] "Promotions and transfers: Major General/Rear Admiral". Defenseweb. November 4, 2010. Retrieved November 10, 2014.

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