Shari Ahmad

Major General (Retired) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Shari bin Ahmad is a Bruneian nobleman and soldier whom became the fifth Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) from 1999 until 2001, and the second Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF) from 1994 until 1999.

Military career
Among the 72 cadet officers who graduated from Officer Cadet School, Portsea on 9 December 1966, Major general Walter S. McKinnon presented awards to two Bruneian cadets, namely Shari Ahmad and B.M. Ali.

In 1969, Lieutenant Colonel H.F. Burrows presented individual awards to the members of the Platoon No.5 of 'B' Company for winning the Seri Begawan Shield's shooting competition, held at Berakas Camp. As the winning team's captain, he received the shield for his achievement. On 11 August 1994, he was appointed as the Commander of the Royal Brunei Land Force, succeeding Husin Ahmad in that role before being replaced himself by Jaafar Abdul Aziz on 28 October 1999.

Major General Shari took command of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces on 31 August 1999. He attended the 2nd Asia-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference in Honolulu, that same year. On 16 February 2001, Shari made a farewell visit to the members of the armed forces of the Royal Brunei Armed Services (ATPBDB) at Bolkiah Garrison. Later on 2 April, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah accepted an audience to him and his successor.

Personal life
His residence was reported to be in Rampayoh of Labi in the Belait District. After his time in the military, he became the President of Veterans Association Royal Brunei Armed Forces (VARBAF). Notably, he previously held the position of President of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN (Veconac). Launched in November 2014, the double-decker cruise ship MV Sentosa is run by a local business, Sha-Zan Marine, under the direction of the retired Shari Ahmad.

National
Shari was bestowed the manteri title of Yang Dimuliakan (The Exalted One) Pehin Datu Padukaraja. Moreover, he has earned the following honours;
 * BRU Order of Famous Valour.svg Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang First Class (DPKT) – Dato Paduka Seri
 * BRU Order of the Hero of the State of Brunei.svg Order of Pahlawan Negara Brunei First Class (PSPNB) – Dato Seri Pahlawan
 * BRU Order of Merit of Brunei.svg Order of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa Second Class (DSLJ; 11 February 1976) – Dato Seri Laila Jasa
 * BRU Order of Loyalty to the State of Brunei.svg Order of Setia Negara Brunei Third Class (SNB)
 * Ordine della Corona del Brunei (Brunei).png Order of Seri Paduka Mahkota Brunei Third Class (SMB)
 * Pingat Jasa Kiebaktian (PJK).gif Meritorious Service Medal (PJK; 2 June 1976)
 * Medal for Service to State (Brunei).jpg Excellent Service Medal (PIKB)
 * Sultan's Silver Jubilee Medal (1992).gif Silver Jubilee Medal (5 October 1992)
 * Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal.jpg Royal Brunei Armed Forces Silver Jubilee Medal (31 May 1986)
 * BRU Independence Medal ribbon.png Proclamation of Independence Medal (1997)
 * Brunei General Service Medal.png General Service Medal (Armed Forces)
 * Brunei_Long_Service_Medal.jpg Long Service Medal and Good Conduct (PKLPB)

Foreign

 * 🇸🇬 Singapore:
 * Darjah_Utama_Bakti_Cemerlang_(Tentera)_ribbon.png Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) (DUBC; 5 February 2001)