David Isom
David L. Isom is a United States Navy SEAL serving as the 6th senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC) since 2025. He is the most senior enlisted member and non-commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces. Isom previously served as the command senior enlisted leader of United States Indo-Pacific Command.
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| David Isom |
|---|
| Official portrait, 2025 |
| United States |
| United States Navy |
| 1987–present |
| Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman |
| Gulf WarIraq WarWar in Afghanistan |
| Defense Superior Service MedalLegion of MeritBronze Star Medal (4) with Combat Distinguishing Device (2)Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2) |
David L. Isom is a United States Navy SEAL serving as the 6th senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC) since 2025. He is the most senior enlisted member and non-commissioned officer in the United States Armed Forces. Isom previously served as the command senior enlisted leader of United States Indo-Pacific Command.
Isom with SEAC Troy Black in May 2025
Isom enlisted in the United States Navy in 1987 and completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes. He was first assigned to the USS Mauna Kea (AE-22) and later to the USS Mount Hood (AE-29). Following these early sea assignments, Isom was selected to attend Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training, becoming a Navy SEAL.
He began his career in Naval Special Warfare Command with an assignment to SEAL Team One. Over the following years, Isom served in a series of increasingly senior positions, including with Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Joint Special Operations Command, and later at Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron One. He was also assigned to Special Reconnaissance Team Two, where he served as the command master chief.
Isom being sworn in as the 6th SEAC on June 24, 2025
Following his operational tours, Isom served as the command master chief of Naval Special Warfare Group Ten. He subsequently held senior enlisted positions as the command senior enlisted leader of Special Operations Command North and then Special Operations Command Pacific. On June 30, 2022, he assumed duties as the command senior enlisted leader of United States Indo-Pacific Command.
Isom deployed in support of multiple combat and contingency operations including Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also participated in numerous deployments throughout the Pacific and the Horn of Africa.
His military education includes the Command Master Chief Course, Joint Special Operations University Senior Enlisted Academy, the U.S. Special Operations Command Summit Course, the National Defense University's Keystone Course, and the Naval Postgraduate School's Navy Senior Leader Seminar. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies from Norwich University.
In May 2025, Isom was selected for appointment as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, by General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In June 2025, he assumed the rank and position, becoming the senior-most enlisted service member in the United States Armed Forces. Isom is the first member of the U.S. Navy to serve in the position.
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| SEAL Trident | ||
| Defense Superior Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster | Legion of Merit | Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and three gold award stars |
| Defense Meritorious Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster | Meritorious Service Medal (United States) with gold award star | Joint Service Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster |
| Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold award star | Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold award star | Combat Action Ribbon with gold award star |
| Presidential Unit Citation | Joint Meritorious Unit Award | Navy Unit Commendation |
| Navy Good Conduct Medal with two silver service stars and one bronze service star | National Defense Service Medal | Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze campaign star |
| Afghanistan Campaign Medal | Iraq Campaign Medal | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with three bronze service stars | Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) |
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) | Navy Expert Rifleman Medal | Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal |
| Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia | ||
| Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge | Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman |
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