Chief Master Sergeant Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez, an Air Force Pararescueman, has been named as the next Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Colon-Lopez will be only the fourth person to ever fill the position and the first Airmen.
The ‘SEAC’ position, created in 2005, is appointed by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) to serve as an advisor to the Chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all matters involving joint and combined total force integration, utilization, health of the force, and joint development for enlisted personnel. The SEAC also serves as a spokesperson to leaders and organizations on applicable issues affecting the total enlisted force.
“It’s a great day for our teammates in every corner of the DoD!” said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright. “Our brothers and sisters in service are in the best hands possible with our newest Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman. I’m proud to say that Chief CZ, our SEAC #4, is a friend and an exceptional leader. Chief Ramon Colon-Lopez is the right Airman for the job! Congrats brother!”
Chief CZ completed Pararescue (PJ) training in 1996 and completed assignments at the 48th Rescue Squadron before transferring to the elite 24 Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, NC. Since Pope, he has served in numerous high level leadership positions. He has deployed numerous times in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, NORTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, RESOLUTE SUPPORT, INHERENT RESOLVE, and several other locations. CZ has been awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal and Bronze Star with Valor, among many other citations.
Colon-Lopez will be replacing outgoing SEAC Command Sergeant Major John Troxell. Troxell was temporarily re-assigned from Senior Enlisted Advisor to Special Assistant to the Vice Director of the Joint Staff, pending the outcome of an investigation of misconduct allegations against him. He was recently however re-instated by General Dunford. Troxell is best known for his 2017 social media post warning to ISIS, “If they choose not to surrender, then we will kill them with extreme prejudice, whether that be through security force assistance, by dropping bombs on them, shooting them in the face, or beating them to death with our entrenching tools.”
Colon-Lopez will be departing the position of Command Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. AFRICOM Command, a position he has held since September 2016.
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It is an extreme honor to have Chief CZ – an Airman – in this leadership position. I ret as a SMsgt / First Sgt after serving 10 years as a shirt. I was fortunate to have been a part of many of the operations listed in Chief CZ’s bio. Unfortunately I was found to have numerous service connected health issues and am now a 100% disabled vet ret in 2008 after 28 years of service. If I could I would still be in uniform and would stand proudly side by side with all my brother and sister warriors! I do have the grand fortune to have 2 children currently serving in the USAF and will live every day vicariously thru their achievements, accomplishments and service to our great nation! I feel proud to know Chief CZ will be their enlisted leader!
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