Seth Griffin
SOCM (SEAL/CMC), US Navy (Retired)
Master Chief Griffin was born in McAllen, TX. He graduated from Winston Churchill High School in San Antonio, TX and from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX., with a B.S. in Criminal Justice, before joining the Navy in June 1996.
He attended recruit training at RTC Great Lakes, IL. He received orders to attend Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training, graduating with class 215 in February 1998.
His first SEAL assignment was to SEAL Team THREE where he completed two platoons and deployments. His first deployment was on an Amphibious Readiness Group-Alpha and his second was to Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001.
He is a plank owner for SEAL Team SEVEN, where he completed two deployments to Iraq and the Philippines. In April 2006, he received orders to Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command (NSWADVTRACOM) and was the Close Quarters Defense CQD Leading Petty Officer (LPO) and FY-08 NSWADVTRACOM Sailor of the Year. Shortly after selecting to Chief Petty Officer, he returned to SEAL Team SEVEN where he augmented Naval Special Warfare Developmental Group (NSWDG), deployed as the Operations CPO for 1 Troop, and completed his Leading Chief Petty Officer tour deploying in support of Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) to Yemen. Master Chief Griffin transferred to Naval Special Warfare Group One – Unit Three where he served as the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula, Country Engagement Officer and SOCCENT Liaison Officer to the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, Oman. He was selected for Senior Chief Petty Officer in June of 2014. In November 2015, he was invited to complete his next career milestone at SEAL Team SEVEN. Master Chief Griffin volunteered for a critical fill billet with Marine Special Operations Command as the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Iraq Operations SEA, in June 2019. He has served as the LOGSU-1 Command Master, Naval Special Warfare Command Force Operations Master Chief, and finished his distinguished career as the Command Master Chief for Naval Special Warfare Command.
Master Chief Seth Griffin is a graduate of the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy and Joint Special Operations University Summit Course. His personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), Combat Action Ribbon (3) as well as unit and campaign awards.
Command Master Chief Griffin has been married to his lovely wife, Joanne, for over twenty years, and has two daughters. Lauren (21) and Isabella (20).