The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC) is a distinct military position and rank designated as the most-senior enlisted service member by position in the U.S. Armed Forces, serving as the principal enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS). Appointed by the Chairman, the SEAC provides critical guidance on joint and combined total force integration, enlisted development, force health, and readiness.
The SEAC serves as a direct link between the CJCS and the Joint Force, ensuring perspectives are represented at the highest levels. While the SEAC’s duties vary based on the Chairman’s direction, the role consistently involves traveling across the Department of Defense (DoD), observing training and education, and addressing issues impacting active, Guard, Reserve, retired service members, and military families.
The SEAC plays a vital role in shaping policy and fostering communication with:
- The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and federal/state agencies
- Military industrial base representatives and private sector leaders
- SEAC-equivalents, Chiefs of Defense, and elected officials from other nations
- Service Senior Enlisted Advisors (SSEAs) and Combatant Command (CCM) Senior Enlisted Leaders (CSELs)
Additionally, the SEAC strengthens the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) communication chain, ensuring enlisted voices are heard and that cross-service challenges—such as lethality, readiness, health, and well-being—are addressed with integrated solutions.
PRIORITIES
Delivering Peace Through Strength by focusing on maintaining a Joint Force that is Properly Armed, Globally Integrated, and Ready all while taking care of our people and their families.