SEAC - Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

About the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman

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

War Fighting & War Winning – Ensuring Joint Forces are ready, resilient, and lethal in support of national defense.

LINES OF EFFORT

Call to Service: Expanding positive representation of military service through engagements and resources.
Increasing Depth of Relationships (Internal): Hosting cross-service, command, and international councils to improve communication and strategies.
International Partners and Allies (External): Re-establishing connectivity with partners and Allies to strengthen enlisted development.
U.S. Military and Service Culture: Circulating “service-centric” culture to the force promoting Discipline, Good Order, and the Profession of Arms.
Joint Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) Management and Development: Coordinating draft update to new CJCSI.
Family Support Network: Increasing collaboration for departmental care and support for families regardless of Service.

OVERSIGHT

Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (EJPME): Developing future warfighters through joint PME programs.
Holistic Human Performance: Strengthening recruitment, retention, and readiness through interagency collaboration.