When Sergeant Major Bryan B. Battaglia took the oath on 30 September 2011 as the Second Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he became the highest-ranking non‑commissioned member in the U.S. Armed Forces. For the next four years, he served as the principal military advisor to the Chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all matters concerning joint force integration, enlisted development, and the health and utilization of the force.
Early Life and Entry into the Marine Corps
Born on April 6, 1961, in Metairie (New Orleans), Louisiana, Battaglia attended Catholic schools and East Jefferson High School before enlisting in the Marine Corps in September 1979. After completing boot camp and Infantry Training School, he began active duty as a Security Guard at Marine Barracks London, RAF St. Mawgan, England.
Rising Through the Ranks
Battaglia advanced rapidly:
- Corporal, Meritoriously promoted in November 1981, assigned as fire team leader with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines
- Sergeant, October 1982, became Mortar Section Leader (60mm) in Weapons Platoon
- Drill Instructor, transferred in February 1984 to Parris Island, SC, teaching recruits and training instructors
He later served as Platoon Sergeant with Company K, 3/6 Marines on deployments via the 6th Fleet and UDP. By October 1987, he attended the SNCO Career Course and served as Regimental Career Planner for the 2d Marines.
Combat Deployments & Special Assignments
- 1990: Deployed to Norway, then participated in Operation Desert Shield/Storm in Southwest Asia. Promoted to Gunnery Sergeant for valor in combat.
- 1993: Selected for the Royal Marines Exchange Program in the UK. Graduated 3rd in his class at the Royal Marines Commando Course and earned the coveted Green Beret.
- Mid-1990s: Served as First Sergeant, deployed to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, in support of JTF‑160, then in Bosnia with MEU Service Support Group 26 (1996–1998).
- Promoted to Sergeant Major, he served with 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Weapons Training Battalion at Quantico, Marine Barracks Washington, and then RCT‑8 in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004–2006).
Senior Leadership & the SEAC Role
From June 2006 through 2008, Battaglia served as Sergeant Major of the 2d Marine Division and Multi‑National Force West–Iraq. In 2008. Moreover, he was assigned to the U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, VA, as Command Senior Enlisted Leader, serving under Generals James Mattis and Ray Odierno.
On 1 October 2011, he assumed the prestigious appointment as the Second SEAC, advising Chairmen Martin Dempsey and Joseph Dunford, and Secretaries Panetta, Hagel, and Carter, on joint enlisted development, force health, utilization, and total force integration. He served until 11 December 2015, when Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Troxell succeeded him.
Major Contributions & Initiatives
Total Force Fitness & Resilience
Battaglia co‑championed DoD’s Total Force Fitness initiative, emphasizing resilience across physical, mental, social, family, and organizational domains. He travelled extensively to engage the force globally, underscoring the direct link between resilience and readiness.
At Keesler AFB, he insisted that suicide prevention is “our problem.” He emphasized that leadership must foster holistic health instead of relying solely on medical fixes.
Bridging the Basics for a New Era
As U.S. military operations transitioned from combat to garrison focus, Battaglia urged senior enlisted leaders to “bridge the basics”—preserving fundamental leadership tenets while adapting to technological and cultural shifts. He cautioned that simplistic calls to return to past methods ignored generational differences in how enlisted leaders function and operate.
Senior Enlisted Leader Council
Battaglia chaired the Defense Senior Enlisted Leader Council (DSELC)—a bi‑annual forum bringing together senior enlisted advisors from all services to collaborate on policy, personnel, compensation, health care, and capabilities planning. During his tenure, he facilitated discussions in anticipation of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission’s recommendations.
The NCO & Petty Officer Book
In 2013, Battaglia co-launched The Noncommissioned Officer and Petty Officer: Backbone of the Armed Forces. The book is a landmark work written by and for enlisted leaders across all services. It defines key leadership traits such as trust, loyalty, and courage. The content includes input from active, reserve, and retired senior enlisted personnel. The formal unveiling took place at the Pentagon with Chairman Gen. Dempsey in attendance. An inaugural copy of the book was presented to the Library of Congress.
Recognition & Awards
Throughout his nearly 37 years of committed service, Battaglia earned numerous decorations including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Valor device, Purple Heart, multiple Navy/Marine Corps Commendation and Achievement Medals, as well as the Combat Action Ribbon.
Reflecting on Leadership
Near his retirement, Battaglia reflected on his SEAC appointment as being “the right guy, at the right place, at the right time.” He saw the role as both an honor and a responsibility to represent the enlisted force with integrity. Chairman Dempsey praised him as a warrior with the “common touch.” He was trusted to speak the unvarnished truth and advocate for junior service members.
With Dempsey’s backing, Battaglia became part of critical discussions on compensation, modernization, and overall armed forces strategic development. He credited Dempsey’s leadership in ensuring that SEAC would be present at the table.
Legacy & Departure
At the end of his term, Battaglia retired on 31 August 2016, concluding a distinguished, almost four‑decade-long career. In his final reflections, he expressed gratitude for his own service. He was also thankful for the opportunity to influence top military leadership while keeping the focus on the troops.
Why Bryan B. Battaglia Matters
- Advocate for Enlisted Integration
As SEAC, Battaglia represented enlisted voices at the highest DoD levels. He influenced policies that shaped pay, health care, modernization efforts, and readiness strategies. - Resilience Champion
He raised mental health and holistic fitness above the physical-only standard, paving the way for DoD-wide adoption of Total Force Fitness. - Transgenerational Bridge
By arguing for “bridging” rather than reverting to old ways, he fostered leadership approaches that integrated emerging tech and cultural shifts without discarding time-tested principles. - Institution Builder
Launching the cross‑service NCO & Petty Officer book was a cultural milestone that solidified enlisted leadership identity across branches. - Model Leader
A combat-tested leader known for integrity, candor, and mentorship, he remains a respected figure in the enlisted ranks and leadership circles.
Conclusion
Sergeant Major Bryan B. Battaglia’s journey—from boot camp in 1979 to the senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs—reflects extraordinary dedication, adaptability, and a lifelong commitment to service and leadership. During his tenure, he helped integrate enlisted perspectives into strategic discussions, championed holistic health, promoted mentorship and cohesion across generations, and codified what it means to serve as an NCO or Petty Officer in the modern U.S. armed forces.
His legacy also endures in the policies, resilience frameworks, and cultural touchstones he helped create. For enlisted leaders today, his service remains a powerful example of leading with both courage and compassion.
