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 function to function a direct hyperlink and spokesperson for all enlisted personnel throughout the Joint Drive. The SEAC advises the Chairman and the Secretary of Conflict on issues regarding complete 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 function on June 20, 2025. Because the highest-ranking enlisted member of the USA Armed Forces, SEAC Isom describes his function 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 supply truthful, trustworthy, crucial recommendation and steering on joint, mixed, complete pressure integration, enlisted growth, well being of the Joint Drive, readiness of the Joint Drive, and to function a direct linkage between the chairman and the Joint Drive,” Isom mentioned. “I be sure that the Joint Drive is aware of they’re represented and their views are being dropped at the desk in these conferences – both on the Joint Workers or with the Division and within the workplace of the Secretary of Conflict – 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 realizing the place his navy profession would take him. Isom was raised round mountains, farmland, and the seashore. 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 dad and mom had been service-oriented and believed within the concept 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 by day, and it was an vital instance for all of us children.”
Because the youngest of 5, Isom was accustomed to residing in an energetic household. He additionally realized concerning the significance of wholesome meals because of 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 enjoying sports activities like my older siblings, and having a household that beloved 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 grew to become 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 Benefit, 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 subject that yr.
At the moment, Isom acknowledges that his profession has seen extra yesterdays than tomorrows, however he nonetheless focuses on being in his greatest 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 mentioned, a approach that would additionally describe the basic NASCAR machines that may hit the partitions of a monitor 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 make it possible for I’m wholesome, match, and in a position to carry out within the job right here.”
That mentioned, Isom doesn’t enable himself to decrease requirements. He’s really in preparation to run within the annual Marine Corps Marathon later this yr. Objectives 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 related.
“You have to be prepared to make it part of your way of life, and it’s essential to be prepared 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 Conflict 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 nicely right here as a result of he was round when the U.S. Particular Operations Command applied Preservation of the Drive and Household (POTFF), which targeted on 5 domains: Bodily, psychological, cognitive, social and household, and religious. The Military has been making related strides with their model often known as Holistic Well being & Health Whereas Isom shared that different branches are working to catch up, he’s happy total 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 Drive as a result of I feel it’s solely going to get higher day by day.”
When requested what he would advise if requested about learn how to preserve the momentum going, Isom instructed that persevering with to deal with the overall human as a weapon system is a should. That mentioned, he acknowledged that steps are already being taken all through the Division of Conflict, citing Complete Drive Health, Warfighter Efficiency Optimization beneath the Workplace of the Secretary of Conflict 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 aspect, Isom desires to see that proceed as a result of he feels that the additional deal with 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 function 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.
“Once 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 residing and serving already.”
He continued, “You recognize, it’s an ideal likelihood for these veterans to go away a long-lasting impression with household, associates, neighbors and everybody that they work together with. They function a residing instance that we will all look as much as.”
Isom hopes that the veterans may function inspiration for the following era 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 affix the 1% of Individuals that increase 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 energy coaching and cardio,” Isom said. “After which I’d encourage them to combine it up. Do issues that shock the physique. For those who’re enjoying sports activities, then it’s essential to be on the market working, swimming, strive CrossFit, strive 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 energy and adaptability and constructing lean muscle.”
Isom’s practically four-decade profession is a testomony that one can serve their nation admirably, be part of historical past in distinctive methods, and be a residing instance of service over self. Whether or not within the navy, or of their communities, Individuals taking good care of themselves might be linked to creating America a greater place to reside. 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.
“For those who’re a younger American that wishes to serve your nation, come on and convey it! We wish you in our Joint Drive.”
To study extra about POTFF, go to this website.
You can learn more about Total Force Fitness here.
M&F Senior Army Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this Match to Serve article.
