Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) John T. Raines III serves as the 7th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, stationed at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, he acts as the Chief's principal military advisor on all enlisted matters, encompassing training, operations, force health, and enlisted professional development. As the highest enlisted leader, SEA Raines provides strategic direction for the enlisted force and advocates for their interests.
Beginning his military career in August 1989, SEA Raines has dedicated 36 years of service to both the Army National Guard and the United States Army. He completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, as a 31N Communications Specialist, before reclassifying as an 11B Infantryman at Fort Moore, Georgia.
Promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major on May 1, 2008, SEA Raines has held numerous leadership positions, including the 13th Sergeant Major of the Army National Guard, the State Command Sergeant Major of the Mississippi Army National Guard, Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the Mississippi National Guard, and Senior Enlisted Leader for Joint Operations (J3) at United States Indo-Pacific Command, among other significant roles.
SEA Raines' deployments include participation in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was also activated in support of Operation Noble Eagle and served in the Republic of Korea. Throughout his career, he has deployed across Asia and the Pacific, where he has coached and mentored Joint U.S. forces and numerous international partners within the United States Indo-Pacific Command region.
SEA Raines is a native of Alabama and has been married to his wife, Karen, for 36 years. They have a daughter, Stephanie; a son, Richard; a daughter-in-law, Brittany; and four granddaughters, Aubrey, Natalie, Khloe, and Tilly.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 1993 – November 1993, Infantry Fire Team Leader, 1/503rd Infantry Battalion (AASLT), Republic of Korea
2. November 1993 – June 1994, Infantry Squad Leader, 1/503rd Infantry Battalion (AASLT), Republic of Korea
3. June 1994 – December 1996, Infantry Weapons Squad Leader, 2/327th Infantry Battalion (AASLT), Ft. Campbell, KY
4. December 1996 – December 1997, Infantry Squad Leader, 2/327th Infantry Battalion (AASLT), Ft. Campbell, KY
5. December 1997 – July 2001, Infantry Dismount Squad Leader, 1/167th Infantry Battalion, Leeds, AL
6. July 2001 – October 2001, Infantry Battalion Comm Chief, 1/167th Infantry Battalion, Talladega, AL
7. October 2001 – May 2002, Infantry Platoon Sergeant, 1/167th Infantry Battalion, Anniston Army Depot (Activated)
8. May 2002 – July 2004, Infantry First Sergeant, 1/167th Infantry Battalion, Pelham, AL
9. July 2004 – May 2008, 47th Civil Support Team First Sergeant, Mississippi Army National Guard, Flowood, MS
10. May 2008 – June 2009, Combined Arms Battalion Operations SGM, 2-198th, Combined Arms Battalion, MSARNG, Senatobia, MS
11. June 2009 – March 2010, Battalion CSM, 2-198th CAB, MSARNG, Q-West, Iraq
12. March 2010 – December 2010, Combined Arms Battalion Operations SGM, 2-198th CAB, MSARNG, Senatobia, MS
13. December 2010 – June 2011, NCOA Commandant, 2-154th RTI, MSARNG, Camp Shelby, MS
14. June 2011 – October 2012, Regimental CSM, 154th RTI, MSARNG, Camp Shelby, MS
15. October 2012 – March 2014, J3 Sergeant Major, MSNG, Jackson, MS
16. March 2014 – July 2015, J3 Senior Enlisted Leader, United States Indo-Pacific Command, Camp Smith, HI
17. July 2015 – December 2016, MSARNG State CSM, MSARNG, Jackson, MS
18. December 2016 – June 2021, MSNG Command Senior Enlisted Leader, Jackson, MS
19. June 2021 – February 2022, Executive Officer for the Chief of the National Guard Bureau’s Senior Enlisted Advisor
20. February 2022 – November 2024, 13th ARNG Command Sergeant Major
21. November 2024 – Present, 7th SEA to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Pentagon, Washington, DC
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Enlisted National Guard Association of the United States
National Infantry Association
Association of the United States Army
STATE AWARDS, DECORATIONS, AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Alabama Distinguished Service Medal
Mississippi Magnolia Cross
2000 Governor of Alabama’s Outstanding Enlisted Representative Award
2000 Alabama Army National Guard Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
Order of Saint Maurice (Primicerius)
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit (Second award)
Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (Fourth award)
Army Commendation Medal (Third award)
Army Achievement Medal (Third award)
Mississippi Magnolia Cross
Mississippi Magnolia Medal
Alabama Distinguished Service Medal
Ranger Tab
Expert Infantryman's Badge
Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Sergeant, 01 December 1993
Staff Sergeant, 01 June 1996
Sergeant First Class, 10 July 2001
First Sergeant, 01 August 2003
Sergeant Major, 01 May 2008
Command Sergeant Major, 01 February 2010
Senior Enlisted Advisor, 08 November 2024
(Current as of 05 December 2025)