Fleet Master Chief David Isom was selected as the next senior enlisted adviser to Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the nation’s highest-ranking military officer. Isom now serves as the U.S. Indo-Pacific command’s senior enlisted leader, a position he has held since June 30, 2022. (U.S. Navy)
WASHINGTON — The Indo-Pacific Command’s top sailor and a SEAL was tapped to serve as the armed forces’ most senior enlisted service member, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.
Fleet Master Chief David Isom was selected as the next senior enlisted adviser to Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the nation’s highest-ranking military officer. Isom now serves as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s senior enlisted leader, a position he has held since June 30, 2022.
As an adviser to Caine, Isom will represent the enlisted force by providing military advice and improving communication between enlisted members and the chairman, helping to ensure that the perspectives of enlisted troops are represented at the highest levels.
Isom will be the first sailor to hold the position. He will replace Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Troy Black, who was appointed to the position in November 2023. Black will retire June 20, according to a military official.
Troy Black, currently the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will retire in June. (U.S. Air Force)
Isom served previously as the senior enlisted leader for Special Operations Commands for the Pacific and Northern Command. He was also the command master chief of Naval Special Warfare Group 10 and Special Reconnaissance Team 2, two special operations units.
Isom enlisted in the Navy in 1987. Upon completing basic training, he reported to the USS Mauna Kea, an ammunition replenishment ship. Isom was later assigned to USS Mount Hood, another ammunition replenishment ship, prior to being selected to attend Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training.
Stars and Stripes reporter Matthew Adams contributed to this report.
