Latest news with #BronzeStarMedals
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Senior enlisted man based in Hawaii will advise Joint Chiefs of Staff
The top enlisted leader at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command at Camp Smith has been tapped to go to the Pentagon to serve as the most senior enlisted service member in the entire U.S. military. The Pentagon announced Tuesday that Fleet Master Chief David Isom, a seasoned combat veteran, has been selected to serve as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or SEAC. He will be the sixth person to take on the position since it was was created in 2005. Isom enlisted in the Navy in 1987, and after passing SEAL selection went on to serve with the service's most elite special operations units, including Navy Special Warfare Development Group—better known to the general public as SEAL Team Six. His deployments include the Persian Gulf War, tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and—according to his official bio—several deployments across the Pacific and the Horn of Africa. His military awards include four Bronze Star Medals, including two with 'V ' devices for valor ; two Combat Action Ribbons ; and a Presidential Unit Citation. Before serving as the senior enlisted man for Indo-Pacific Command he had already been in Hawaii as the senior enlisted leader for Special Operations Command Pacific. In both roles Isom's duties included traveling the region visiting American bases to talk to troops as well as working to bolster ties with foreign service members from other countries and observing training. At the Pentagon, Isom will replace Marine Sgt. Maj. Troy Black, who is leaving the job after serving as SEAC for two years. Black previously served as the sergeant major of the Marine Corps before he was selected as the SEAC by Army Gen. Mark Milley and continued on as the senior enlisted advisor to Air Force Gen. C.Q. Brown, whom President Donald Trump controversially fired from the role of chairman in February along with Navy chief Adm. Lisa Franchetti and other officers serving under the Joint Chiefs. After the firings, Hawaii's U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono charged that 'there is no reasonable justification for these terminations. Instead, the dismissals reveal the President's true intention : installing a group of 'yes men' with fealty to him and not the Constitution or the American people.' Under Trump and his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon is seeing major shake-ups across the board. Hegseth has vowed to rid the military of 'woke ' officers and civilian personnel, and pledged that there will be a new focus on 'lethality.' Though considered the most senior enlisted role in the military, the SEAC doesn't actually lead troops as part of the chain of command but serves as an advisor to the military's most senior officer to serve as a voice to the Pentagon's top leadership addressing the issues of enlisted personnel. In this case, Isom will advise Brown's replacement, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine. Just as Brown's firing was controversial, Trump's appointment of Caine raised eyebrows. Though Caine is a respected officer with extensive experience across the U.S. government, at the time of his nomination he had already retired as a lieutenant general—making him legally ineligible for the role. To make him eligible, Trump had to order that he be both reinstated to active service and promoted to four-star general. Trump has often told a story of meeting Caine in Iraq during his first presidency, describing him as wearing the iconic red MAGA hat of his supporters and expressing personal admiration and loyalty to Trump—which would have violated several military policies if true. The details of the story often differed and shifted when Trump told it at different venues. During his Senate confirmation hearing, Caine told lawmakers 'I went back and listened to those tapes, and I think the president was actually talking about somebody else. I've never worn any political merchandise or said anything to that effect.' When Hirono asked him 'if you wore it, would that constitute partisan political activity by a uniformed officer—yes or no ?' Caine answered, 'I think it probably would, yes.' Caine ultimately was confirmed with 44 Republicans and 16 Democrats voting in favor, though his confirmation was opposed by both Hawaii's Hirono and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. Isom will be the first sailor to serve as SEAC and is leaving Camp Smith for the Pentagon at a time when the military views the Pacific as its top priority theater of operations amid tensions with China. He would bring extensive experience in the region as well as personal knowledge of and relationships with members of foreign militaries that Pentagon leaders are hoping to strengthen alliances with.
New York Post
28-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
SEAL Team Six alum named advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff: DoD
A former member of SEAL Team Six has been named the highest ranking enlisted official and an advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, military officials announced Tuesday. Navy Fleet Master Chief David Isom, once a member of Navy Special Warfare Development Group commonly called SEAL Team Six, will become the sixth Senior Enlisted Advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, according to the Department of Defense. The SEAC position was created in 2005 and is considered the most senior enlisted leader, according to Task and Purpose. Advertisement Navy Fleet Master Chief David Isom is the new Senior Enlisted Advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Department of Defense announced Tuesday. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anthony J. Rivera Master Chief Isom has a long resume of active duty service including combat and operational deployments in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other stints through the Pacific and the Horn of Africa, according to his official biography. The career soldier also deployed with SEAL Team 1 during his illustrious career, according to that biography. Advertisement During his service career, Isom won four Bronze Star Medals, including two with distinction for valor, two Combat Action Ribbons, and a Presidential Unity Citation, Task and Purpose reported. 'Master Chief Isom's assignments have included a full range of duties in Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) Teams at Theater Special Operations Commands and across the joint environment,' the newly minted SEAC's biography read. Isom won four Bronze Star Medals during his combat career that included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Marine Corps/Cpl. Dean Gurule Most recently, Isom has served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for US Indo-Pacific Command. Advertisement Isom joined the Navy in 1987, inspired by his Korean War Army veteran father and a love of the ocean that he discovered while surfing off the coast of his native North Carolina, he revealed in an interview in 2022. The decorated SEAL revealed that he was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer around the time of September 11th, 2001, and was soon deployed to the Middle East. After losing 'teammates' while fighting in Afghanistan in Iraq, Isom said he learned, 'the key role of leaders and caring for people and developing other leaders,' according to that interview. Master Chief Isom is replacing current SEAC Troy E. Black, the DoD said in the release.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The Bluffs Addiction Campuses Unveils Special Forces Veteran Kyle Morgan's Journey of Recovery
Retired Special Forces Operator Kyle Morgan Shares Journey of Recovery at The Bluffs Addiction Campuses SHERRODSVILLE, Ohio, March 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Bluffs Addiction Campuses unveiled the inspiring recovery journey of Kyle Morgan, a retired Special Forces Green Beret and CEO of Blu Bearing Solutions. During a special event on February 28, Morgan shared his personal experience of overcoming trauma and addiction with patients and staff. With two decades of military service, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Morgan reflected on his struggles with substance use and the turning point that led him to long-term sobriety. Dr. Brian Wind and Kyle Morgan at The Bluffs Addiction Campuses, discussing addiction treatment, trauma recovery, Y6R and resilience. Morgan was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross—the second-highest U.S. military award for valor—for his extraordinary heroism during the 2015 terrorist attack at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali. Among his numerous decorations are five Bronze Star Medals (one with valor) and three Presidential Unit Citations, a testament to his unwavering commitment to his fellow service members and the American values he swore to defend. Now CEO of Blu Bearing Solutions, Morgan delivered a powerful address on recovery and resilience, sharing his deeply personal journey through addiction, trauma, and eventual recovery. 'Hopelessness is the most scared space I've ever been in my life,' Morgan told attendees. 'Not any operational environment has been as frightening as that space of complete despair.' He recounted how the Mali hotel attack became a pivotal turning point in his life. Despite facing countless challenges in combat, it was the internal battle with trauma and addiction that became his most daunting mission. The aftermath led him into substance abuse, and despite multiple treatment attempts, true recovery remained elusive until a near-fatal overdose in 2021. 'I view this as God saying, 'Man, do something about this or this is all you're going to see for the rest of your life, as long or short as that may be,'' Morgan said. Dr. Brian Wind, chief clinical officer for Regard Recovery, introduced Morgan, emphasizing the importance of trust and hope in the recovery process. 'As I shared with Kyle, just a sliver of hope on the horizon is all I needed,' Dr. Wind said. 'Just enough to push the door open and explore what a life in recovery might look like for me.' Morgan, now more than three years sober, emphasized the importance of faith, accountability, and identity beyond one's profession in maintaining recovery. 'My identity was what I did, my profession. But I've learned that your profession cannot be your identity,' Morgan explained. 'I'm a grateful recovered alcoholic. I surrendered to Jesus Christ exactly a year after I got sober.' Morgan and his wife, Erica, reside in Lillington, N.C., where they've been married for 20 years and are raising four children. About Kyle Morgan & Blu Bearing Solutions As a retired special operations forces veteran, Kyle Morgan leverages his extensive military background to empower law enforcement and private citizens through Blu Bearing Solutions. His training company focuses on building the 'protector' mindset and specializes in teaching active shooter and crisis response tactics, bringing battlefield strategies used by elite fighting forces to civilian preparedness. Website: About The Bluffs Addiction Campuses The Bluffs Addiction Campuses in Sherrodsville, Ohio, is part of Regard Recovery's national footprint across the United States. The center provides evidence-based treatment programs including drug and alcohol detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation, and specialized tracks such as the Y6R program for veterans, law enforcement, and first responders. Located in the rolling hills of eastern Ohio, The Bluffs offers a tranquil setting for healing, growth, and self-reflection, supported by a comprehensive continuum of care. About Your Six Recovery (Y6R) Your Six Recovery (Y6R) is a specialized addiction treatment program created for law enforcement officers, veterans, and first responders. Built on the foundational principle of 'got your six'—a term meaning 'I've got your back'—the program offers a unique approach that honors the values of integrity and professionalism while providing critical support for individual healing. The Bluffs Addiction Campuses in Sherrodsville, Ohio offers evidence-based addiction treatment, detox, inpatient rehab, and the specialized Y6R program for veterans and first responders. Press inquiries The Bluffs Addiction Campuses Howard media@ (629) 246-29552650 Lodge Rd SW Sherrodsville, OH 44675 A video accompanying this announcement is available at Photos accompanying this announcement are available at in to access your portfolio
CNN
17-02-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Pete Hegseth Fast Facts
Here's a look at the life of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Birth date: June 6, 1980 Birth place: Minneapolis, Minnesota Birth name: Peter Brian Hegseth Father: Brian Hegseth, basketball coach Mother: Penelope 'Penny' Hegseth, career coach Marriages: Jennifer Rauchet (2019–present); Samantha Deering (2010-2018, divorced); Meredith Schwarz (2004-2009, divorced) Children: with Jennifer Rauchet: Gwendolyn, Kenzie, Jackson and Luke (Kenzie, Jackson and Luke are Jennifer's children from a previous relationship); with Samantha Deering: Gunner, Peter Boone and Rex Education: Princeton University, B.A., 2003; Harvard University, M.P.P., 2013 Military service: Army National Guard, 2002-2021, Major Religion: Christian Has earned two Bronze Star Medals. Authored five books. After his stint at Vets for Freedom, Hegseth also led Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), another veteran advocacy nonprofit, for more than four years. Hegseth has a history of supporting controversial policies, including using the US military to put down domestic riots, speaking in favor of enhanced interrogation methods such as waterboarding, pardoning US soldiers convicted of war crimes, targeting cultural institutions in drone strikes and banning women from combat roles. 2007- 2012 - Vets for Freedom, executive director and later as officer. 2012 - Runs for Minnesota's US Senate seat before dropping out after a rival candidate wins the Republican Party's nomination. 2014 - Joins Fox News as a contributor. 2017-November 12, 2024 - Named co-host of 'Fox & Friends Weekend.' May 21, 2019 – CNN reports Hegseth privately encouraged US President Donald Trump to pardon some US service members accused of war crimes, according to a person familiar with the conversations. January 2021 - Is removed from inauguration duty for US President Joe Biden as a National Guard member because of what he describes as a religious tattoo of a Jerusalem cross. Hegseth resigns from the military. On November 15, 2024, Reuters and The Associated Press report that Hegseth was flagged by a fellow servicemember as a possible 'insider threat' due to a 'Deus Vult' (Latin for 'God wills it') tattoo on his right arm, a symbol used by White nationalists. November 12, 2024 - President-elect Trump announces Hegseth as his nomination for secretary of defense. November 20, 2024 - According to a police report from the city attorney's office of Monterey, California, a woman told police that Hegseth sexually assaulted her in his hotel room on October 8, 2017. In a statement released on November 21, 2024, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni says that her office declined to file charges against Hegseth in January 2018 because 'no charges were supported by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.' November 29, 2024 - The New York Times reports Hegseth's mother, Penelope Hegseth, wrote Pete an email on April 30, 2018, accusing him of mistreating former wife Samantha Deering and other women. On the same day, Penelope Hegseth says in a phone interview with the New York Times that she regrets sending the email, arguing that her son is a changed man. January 14, 2025 - A Senate panel conducts a confirmation hearing for Hegseth. Hegseth is questioned about excessive drinking allegations, sexual assault accusations and his shifting public view on women in military combat. January 24, 2025 - In a 51-50 vote, the Senate confirms Hegseth to be the US defense secretary. Vice President JD Vance casts the tie-breaking vote. January 25, 2025 - Is sworn in as the 29th US secretary of defense.
Fox News
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Pete Hegseth
Pete Hegseth is the U.S. Defense Secretary under President Donald Trump. He was sworn in to serve the Trump administration's second term by Vice President JD Vance on Jan. 25, 2025. Hegseth is a Minnesota native and graduated from Princeton University in 2003. He earned his master's degree from Harvard University ten years later. Hegseth spent several years in the U.S. Army National Guard where he was part of several active-duty deployments in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth's service in the National Guard earned him many accolades including two Bronze Star Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) and the Joint Commendation Medal. The former Fox News host has authored several books over the years, including 'The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,' which was released in 2024.
