The place of Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers (SEAC) was created in 2005 by the Chairman on the time, Marine Corps Gen. Peter Tempo. Tempo created the position to function a direct hyperlink and spokesperson for all enlisted personnel throughout the Joint Power. The SEAC advises the Chairman and the Secretary of Warfare on issues regarding whole pressure integration, utilization, and readiness.
Six males have held this place over the 20 years since. The sixth and incumbent SEAC, David L. Isom, assumed the position on June 20, 2025. Because the highest-ranking enlisted member of the USA Armed Forces, SEAC Isom describes his position as one which connects the wants of the approximate 2 million service members to the management that makes the selections for people who put on the nation’s uniform.
“My job is to offer truthful, sincere, essential recommendation and steering on joint, mixed, whole pressure integration, enlisted improvement, well being of the Joint Power, readiness of the Joint Power, and to function a direct linkage between the chairman and the Joint Power,” Isom stated. “I be sure that the Joint Power is aware of they’re represented and their views are being delivered to the desk in these conferences – both on the Joint Workers or with the Division and within the workplace of the Secretary of Warfare – that they’re represented on the highest ranges contained in the division and that their voice issues.”
FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO NAVY SEAL
The SEAC place wasn’t established when Isom was rising up in North Carolina, which means he had no approach of figuring out the place his navy profession would take him. Isom was raised round mountains, farmland, and the seaside. Isom’s father moved there whereas serving within the U.S. Military. After leaving service and turning into a civil engineer for the N.C. Division of Transportation, Isom’s father moved the household a number of occasions for positions across the state and Isom graduated highschool in Clinton, NC. It was there that Isom realized about each service and health.
“My mother and father had been service-oriented and believed within the thought of serving your group. Serving in your church, serving in your state, and serving one thing bigger than your self was one thing I noticed them do day-after-day, and it was an vital instance for all of us children.”
Because the youngest of 5, Isom was accustomed to dwelling in an energetic household. He additionally realized concerning the significance of wholesome meals due to working within the household’s backyard. Rising up climbing timber, using bikes, swimming and climbing made the health way of life a pure match for Isom.
“My curiosity in health began with the love of the outside, rising up taking part in sports activities like my older siblings, and having a household that liked the outside.”
Isom joined the Navy in 1987 and deployed on two ships as a Machinist’s Mate. After finishing Fundamental Underwater Demolition/SEAL Coaching Isom turned a Navy SEAL and served in a large number of roles throughout Operation Desert Defend, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and deployments all through the Pacific and the Horn of Africa. Previous to turning into the sixth SEAC, Fleet Grasp Chief Isom had earned a number of awards and honors, together with the Protection Superior Service Medal, Legion of Advantage, 4 Bronze Star Medals, together with awards with Fight “V” units for valor, Protection Meritorious Service Medal, and the Fight Motion Ribbon.
FITNESS MATTERS MORE NOW THAN EVER
Being in form has all the time mattered to Isom, and he even recalled a time when he crossed paths with Muscle & Health in 1996. An editor was doing an interview on the SEAL Sniper Course and took a photograph with the scholars, together with him, which made it right into a print concern that yr.
At this time, Isom acknowledges that his profession has seen extra yesterdays than tomorrows, however he nonetheless focuses on being in his finest form potential.
“My 59-year-old fight chassis has some mileage on it, and it’s been bent or damaged in all probability approach too many occasions,” he stated, a approach that would additionally describe the traditional NASCAR machines that may hit the partitions of a observe and preserve coming again for extra. “A whole lot of what I do is about upkeep and simply attempting to get max mileage out to guarantee that I’m wholesome, match, and capable of carry out within the job right here.”
That stated, Isom doesn’t permit himself to decrease requirements. He’s really in preparation to run within the annual Marine Corps Marathon later this yr. Targets of that magnitude look like a approach that Isom combats Father Time, and he means that older adults, together with these in service, do one thing comparable.
“It’s worthwhile to be keen to make it part of your way of life, and you want to be keen to make up for it anytime you miss a exercise.”
Individuals which have adopted the navy since President Trump started his second time period will affirm that health has been a focus of his administration. That features Secretary of Warfare Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers Gen. Dan Caine, and continues to Isom and all through every of the branches of service. Isom’s expertise serves him effectively right here as a result of he was round when the U.S. Particular Operations Command carried out Preservation of the Power and Household (POTFF), which centered on 5 domains: Bodily, psychological, cognitive, social and household, and non secular. The Military has been making comparable strides with their model generally known as Holistic Well being & Health Whereas Isom shared that different branches are working to catch up, he’s happy general with the progress that has been made, and that’s additionally positively influencing recruitment all through all branches.
“It’s a superb time to be part of our Joint Power as a result of I feel it’s solely going to get higher day-after-day.”
When requested what he would advise if requested about preserve the momentum going, Isom prompt that persevering with to concentrate on the full human as a weapon system is a should. That stated, he acknowledged that steps are already being taken all through the Division of Warfare, citing Complete Power Health, Warfighter Efficiency Optimization underneath the Workplace of the Secretary of Warfare for Personnel and Readiness, and different wheels in movement all through every service as examples of this.
“We’re actually attempting to get it proper in order that we take one of the best care of the factor that’s most vital, which is our folks.”
FITNESS AND SERVICE ACROSS GENERATIONS
Although momentum is on their facet, Isom desires to see that proceed as a result of he feels that the additional concentrate on health will result in higher retention in addition to improved high quality of life as soon as these on active-duty transition to life as veterans. Isom pertains to that as a result of he acknowledged his present position could also be his final earlier than he turns into a veteran himself, and he feels there are different alternatives for himself and veterans like him to proceed doing their half in making the nation higher.
“After I take into consideration the superior experiences veterans can deliver to the civilian sector, veterans have such an superior alternative to take off the uniform and to hold with them one of the best attributes from our navy into these communities the place they’re dwelling and serving already.”
He continued, “You understand, it’s an excellent likelihood for these veterans to go away an enduring impression with household, buddies, neighbors and everybody that they work together with. They function a dwelling instance that we will all look as much as.”
Isom hopes that the veterans may function inspiration for the subsequent technology of the navy. It has been no secret that over three-fourths of Individuals eligible to serve wouldn’t meet health {qualifications}. Isom emphasised that if a younger citizen desires to hitch the 1% of Individuals that elevate their proper hand and volunteer to serve, the work ought to begin now.
“It begins with constructing these wholesome habits, consuming proper, maintaining a healthy diet, establishing some self-discipline and a exercise regime that balances power coaching and cardio,” Isom acknowledged. “After which I might encourage them to combine it up. Do issues that shock the physique. When you’re taking part in sports activities, then you want to be on the market working, swimming, attempt CrossFit, attempt biking, do issues that’ll shock the physique after which watch how the physique responds to these surprises, and the way it shortly will increase power and adaptability and constructing lean muscle.”
Isom’s almost four-decade profession is a testomony that one can serve their nation admirably, be part of historical past in distinctive methods, and be a dwelling instance of service over self. Whether or not within the navy, or of their communities, Individuals taking good care of themselves could be related to creating America a greater place to dwell. That health basis has been confirmed to be efficient in serving to folks lead higher lives, and if some folks really feel that a greater life may embrace serving, Isom is able to greet them with open arms.
“When you’re a younger American that desires to serve your nation, come on and produce it! We would like you in our Joint Power.”
To study extra about POTFF, go to this web site.
You’ll be able to study extra about Complete Power Health right here.
M&F Senior Army Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this Match to Serve article.
