Othman Suhaili

Othman bin Haji Suhaili @ Suhaily (born 19 April 1970), also referred to as Dato Othman, is a Bruneian military officer who formerly took office as the eleventh commander of the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) from 2019 to 2020.

Education Othman had the chance to take a number of courses abroad while serving in the Royal Australian Navy Training Detachment on board HMS Ipswich (FCPB 209), the Republic of Singapore Navy's Midshipman Sea Training Deployment in 1990, the United Kingdom's International Sub-Lieutenant Course in 1991, Malaysia's Ship Diver Course in 1994, the United Kingdom's International Principle Warfare Officer course in 2000, Pakistan's Staff Course and other courses notably Executive Development Programme (EDP) in Public Policy and Management Course in National University of Singapore in 2009 and attended the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College Course 34/2014 with Masters of Social Science in Malaysia.

Military career

Othman enlisted as a recruit in September 1988, was sent to the RBN as a naval cadet on 17 March 1989, and completed the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth's International Midshipman Course in 1990. He has held a number of command positions, including KDB Pemburu (P-15), KDB Penyerang (P-16), KDB Perwira (P-14) and KDB Seteria (P-04). Among the other appointments made was diving officer. He was appointed RBN Fleet Commander in 2011. His staff officer positions were Base Commander in 2010, Defence Advisor of Brunei Darussalam to Malaysia from 2012 to 2013, Military Assistant to Commander Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) from 2007 to 2009, and Head of Capability Development Cell in 2015. In acknowledgment of his efforts to strengthen ties between the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and RBN, RADM Aaron Beng was also given the RBN Command Badge by Dato Othman during his visit to Brunei from 8 to 10 December 2020. Beng also joined Dato Othman in attending a United States Navy Pacific Fleet virtual leadership engagement program.

Personal life Othman is married to Datin Nazatulshima binti Haji C.A. Mohamed, and together they have four children; 3 sons and 1 daughter. He enjoys jogging, swimming, and reading.

Honours Othman has earned the following honours;