Senior Enlisted Advisory Council
Purpose
The SEAC was formed in 1984 to provide a vital, working communications link between USO-Metro a civilian, volunteer social services agency - and the vast military community of more than 300,000 active duty service members and their families stationed at military installations throughout the greater Washington Metropolitan area.
Because the Senior Enlisted Advisors know the needs of their troops, they are in a unique position to advise and counsel USO-Metro Board and staff on matters relating to planning and implementing our human service programs for enlisted military and their families.
The goal of the SEAC is twofold:
- To strengthen USO Metro programs in such a way that they enhance, not duplicate, existing military social services, and
- To interrelate across service branches for the benefit of all.
Who benefits from SEAC?
The SEAC benefits enlisted service members and/or their families by advocating for their needs, by helping to create new programs and services, and by augmenting existing programs and service affecting them.
The SEAC assists in the growth and development of USO Metro programs that are specifically designed to meet special needs of junior enlisted service members and/or their families. Examples of such programs include (but are not limited to):
- Emergency housing for enlisted families in crisis situations
- Co-sponsored job fairs for personnel, spouses, and separating military
- Food assistance to families in need
- Newcomer orientations and tours
- Holiday accommodations for visiting families of military members
Who are the members of the Senior Enlisted Advisory Council?
The SEAC is a volunteer group of over 30 Senior Enlisted Advisor service representatives from each of the five branches of the Armed Forces (Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy).
SEAC members are selected by their respective branch of service and installation, or nominated by a SEAC member, to serve on the Council. The President and the Vice President of Programs & Operations of USO Metro serve as conveners of the SEAC. The Chairman of the SEAC is an elected member of the USO Metro Board of Directors and a member of the USO Metro Program Committee of the Board. The Chairman of the USO Metro Program Committee likewise is a member of SEAC.
What services do members perform?
In summary a USO Metro SEAC member serves as a/an
- Advisor to USO Metro assessing/recommending programs
- Liaison to their respective branch of service
- Advocate for USO Metro programs within the military community, especially those serving enlisted service members and their families
- Supporter/Advocate of USO Metro during the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) upon which USO Metro depends for a major portion of its funding through United Way.
How does the SEAC function?
The SEAC is a unique entity within the military community of the Washington metropolitan region. Its very composition provides a forum where intra service human service needs concerning information and referral, morale, family units, housing, employment, education, and other needs may be addressed and solved. Since its formation, SEAC members have consistently expressed their appreciation of the value of such a forum.
The SEAC normally meets four times a year (usually February, May, August, and November). Meetings are generally one hour in length, with lunch or refreshments provided.
Meetings may include (but are not limited to) the following actions:
- Planning, development, implementation, and administration of USO Metro programs for service members and families
- Exchanging information or recommendations regarding new or existing programs
- Discussing specific problems affecting service members and/or their families
- Recommending to USO Metro solutions or a course of action
- Conducting other appropriate business, including formation of ad hoc committees when necessary
- Schedule time for informal socializing to promote intra service information exchange