David L. 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.

Personal life He is the son of Billy Isom, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, and the late Thelma Isom. He has four siblings and is married with six children of his own.

Military career

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.

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. In June 2025, he assumed the rank and position, becoming the senior-most enlisted service member in the United States Armed Forces.

Awards and decorations

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 Identification Badge