The position of Senior Envoy Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC) was created in 2005 by then-Chairman General Peter Pace. Pace created the role to serve as a direct link and spokesperson for all enlisted personnel in the Joint Forces. SEAC advises the President and the Secretary of War on matters of full force integration, deployment, and readiness.
Six people have held the position over the past 20 years. The sixth and incumbent SEAC, David L. Isom assumed this position on June 20, 2025. As the senior member of the United States Armed Forces, SEAC Isom describes his role as one of connecting the needs of nearly 2 million soldiers with the leadership that makes decisions for those who wear the uniform.
“My role is to provide genuine, honest and critical advice and guidance on joint, integrated, full-force integration, enlisted development, Joint Force health, Joint Force readiness, and to serve as a direct link between the chairman and the Joint Force,” Isom said. “I will make sure that the Joint Forces know that they are represented and that their perspective is brought to the table in these meetings — either at the Joint Headquarters or with the Department and in the office of the Secretary of War — that they are represented at the highest level within the department and that their voice matters.”
FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO NAVY
The SEAC position was not established when Jesus was growing up in North Carolina, meaning he had no way of knowing where his military career would lead him. Jesus rose around the mountains, farmlands and coast. Isom’s father moved there while serving in the US Army. After leaving the service and becoming a civil engineer for the NC Department of Transportation, Isom’s father moved the family several times to positions around the state, and Isom graduated from high school in Clinton, NC. It was there that Isom learned about both service and fitness.
“My parents were service oriented and believed in the idea of service to your community. Service to your church, service to your state and service to something bigger than yourself was something I saw them doing every day and it was an important example for all of us kids.”
As the youngest of five children, Isom lived in an active family. She also learned the importance of healthy eating thanks to working in the family garden. Growing up, climbing trees, biking, swimming and hiking made the fitness lifestyle a natural fit for Isom.
“My interest in fitness started with a love of the outdoors, growing up playing sports like my older brothers and having a family that loved the outdoors.”
Isom joined the Navy in 1987 and served as a machinist’s mate on two ships. After completing Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, Isom became a Navy SEAL and served in a variety of roles in Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and deployments throughout the Pacific and Horn of Africa. Prior to becoming the sixth SEAC, Rear Admiral Isom received several awards and honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, four Bronze Star Medals, including the Combat Device “V” for valor, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
FITNESS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER
Being in shape has always been important to Jesus, and he even recalled the time he crossed paths with Muscle & Fitness in 1996. The editor was conducting interviews at the SEAL sniper course and took photos with the students, including himself, that made it into the print edition that year.
Today, Isom admits that his career has seen more yesterdays than tomorrows, but he still focuses on being in top shape.
“My 59-year-old battle chassis has some mileage on it and has probably been bent or broken a few times,” he said, a method that can also describe classic NASCAR cars that crash into track walls and bounce back up. “A lot of what I do is about maintenance and just trying to get as much mileage as possible to make sure I’m healthy, fit and able to work here.”
It is said that Isom will not allow the standards to be lowered. He is actually preparing to run in the annual Marine Corps Marathon later this year. The goals of this volume seem to be a way for Jesus to fight Father Time, and he suggests that older adults, including those in ministry, do the same.
“You have to be willing to make it a part of your lifestyle, and you have to be willing to make up for it whenever you miss a workout.”
Americans who have followed the military since the start of President Trump’s second term will attest that fitness has been a focal point of his administration. It includes Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Kane, and continues in Isom and in every branch of the service. Isom’s experience serves him well here, as he has been around the US Special Operations Command’s Protecting Power and Family (POTFF), which focuses on five areas: physical, mental, cognitive, social and family, and spiritual. The Army is making similar progress with its own version of Holistic Health & Fitness, while Isom said other branches are working to catch up.
“It’s a great time to join our Joint Force, because I think it’s only going to get better every day.”
When asked what advice he would have on how to maintain momentum, Isom suggested that it is imperative to continue to focus on the whole person as a weapon system. He is said to have acknowledged that measures are already being taken throughout the War Department, citing Total Force Fitness, Warfighter Performance Optimization under the Office of the Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness, and other spin-offs in each service as examples.
“We’re really trying to get it right to take the best care of what’s most important, which is our people.”
FITNESS AND SERVICE OF THE GENERATIONS
Although the momentum is on their side, Isom wants it to continue because he believes the added focus on fitness will lead to better retention as well as improved quality of life as those on active duty transition to life as veterans. Isom relates to this as he acknowledged that his current role may be his last until he becomes a veteran and feels that there are other opportunities for him and veterans like him to continue to contribute to the betterment of the country.
“When I think about the amazing experiences that veterans can bring to the civilian sector, veterans have such a great opportunity to put on the uniform and bring the best attributes of our military to the communities where they already live and serve.”
He continued, “You know, this is a great chance for these veterans to make a lasting impact on their family, friends, neighbors and everyone they come in contact with. They serve as living examples that we can all look up to.”
Isom hopes veterans can also be an inspiration to the next generation of military personnel. It’s no secret that more than three-quarters of service-eligible Americans don’t meet fitness qualifications. Isom stressed that if a young citizen wants to join the 1% of Americans who raise their right hand and volunteer to serve, the work needs to start now.
“It starts with developing these healthy habits, eating right, eating healthy, establishing discipline and an exercise regimen that balances strength training and cardio,” Isom said. “And then I would encourage them to mix it up. Do things that surprise the body. If you’re an athlete, then you should be out there running, swimming, trying CrossFit, cycling, doing things that surprise the body, and then see how the body responds to those surprises and how it quickly increases strength and flexibility and builds lean muscle.”
The activity of Jesus for almost fourteen years proves that one can serve his country in a worthy way, be a part of history in unique ways and be a living example of self-service. Whether in the military or in their communities, Americans who care about themselves can be involved in making America a better place to live. This fitness foundation has proven to help people lead better lives, and if some people think that a better life can include service, Isom is ready to welcome them with open arms.
“If you are a young American who wants to serve your nation, come and bring it! We want you in our Joint Forces.”
To learn more about POTFF, go to this website.
You can learn more about Total Force Fitness here.
M&F Senior Military Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this Fit to Service article.
