Rear Admiral John Saccomando, Naval Air Force Reserve, Deputy Commander, Naval Air Forces,

Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a native of Buffalo, New York. He graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with honor and was commissioned in September 1994 via NROTC. He attended the Joint and Combined Warfare School and the National Defense University for his joint professional military education and completed executive education programs at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and with the Dale Carnegie Institute.

LT Saccomando first served as an F-14D pilot in the VF-213 "Blacklions" where he completed two extended combat deployments in the F-14D on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), flying more than 50 combat strikes in support of Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom. He returned to VF-101 as an F-14 flight instructor and demonstration pilot.

LT Saccomando was then selected to join the Blue Angels in 2003 as the right wing (#2) of the storied Blue Angel Diamond. While publicly representing the Navy and Marine Corps, he accumulated 1,000 hours in the F/A-18 Hornet flying airshows in over 72 cities in front of 20 million spectators.

LCDR Saccomando transitioned to the F/A-18F with the VFA-41 “Black Aces” and completed two extended combat deployments on USS Chester Nimitz (CVN 68) flying strikes in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. His achievements include numerous “Top Eleven Ball Flyer” awards, the Airwing’s “Top Hook” award, and VFA-41’s 2007 Pilot of the Year. LCDR Saccomando transitioned to the Navy Reserve in 2008 and joined the VR-1 Starlifters flying the C-37B at Joint Base Andrews.

In 2012, Saccomando reported to the VR-56 Globemasters for his first command tour. Under his command, VR-56 received the 2014 Battle “E” and was also awarded the coveted 2014 Navy Reserve Squadron of the Year. Subsequent command tours include Training Airwing One Reserve Component Commander, NATO Allied Command Transformation det DC, Chief of Naval Forces Europe/Africa MPP det 413, and Commander, Naval Installations Command, Navy Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (NEPLO) Program Commander.

Rear Admiral Saccomando’s flag tours include Reserve Director of the Maritime Headquarters, US Pacific Fleet, and Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic.

Saccomando’s decorations include three Legion of Merits, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, six Air Medals (one Combat Distinguishing Device), five Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (one Combat Distinguishing Device), two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards. He has accumulated more than 5,000 Navy flight hours and has 579 carrier arrested landings.

Last Updated: 29 Jan 2025

Last Updated: 29 January 2025

VISION

The Navy Reserve provides essential naval warfighting capabilities and expertise, strategically aligned with mission requirements - valued for our readiness, innovation, and agility.

We deliver timely, cost-effective operational capabilities. Our flexibility, responsiveness, and ability to serve across a wide spectrum of operations clearly enhances the Navy Total Force.
We provide the Navy with strategic depth by maintaining unsurpassed individual, command, and force readiness. We are ready to surge forward -anytime, anywhere.
Our policies, processes and administrative systems are transparent and seamless, making it easier for sailors and their families to serve.
We are a diverse Force and provide opportunities for all Sailors through a continuum of service.

Our actions and resources are fully aligned to achieve this vision. We value the service of every Sailor and recognize that their contribution can vary from a few days per year to full-time. We support our Sailors, civilian personnel, and their families. We also recognize and honor the civilian employers whose support enables service to our Navy and our Nation.

NAVY RESERVE RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief of Navy Reserve (CNR) is the official within the executive part of the Department of the Navy who, subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations, is responsible for preparation, justification, and execution of the personnel, operation and maintenance, and construction budgets for the Navy Reserve. As such, the Chief of Navy Reserve is the director and functional manager of appropriations made for the Navy Reserve in those areas.

Commander, Navy Reserve Force (CNRF or COMNAVRESFOR) is responsible for providing strategic depth and deliver operational capabilities to the Navy and Marine Corps team and Joint force. Functionally, CNRF is an echelon-II command, which:

1) Manages, trains and administers the Navy Reserve Force as prescribed by CNO.
2) Manages assigned resources and executes the budget as a major claimant.
3) Monitors the effectiveness of resources management, training and administration of the Navy Reserve through directing corrective action to ensure the responsiveness and mobilization readiness of the Navy Reserve as prescribed by the Chief of the Navy Reserve (CNR) and CNO.

Deputy CNRF is also “dual-hatted” as Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC or COMNAVRESFORCOM), an echelon-III command, which administers Navy Reserve programs including management of all assigned Navy Reserve resources. CNRFC also performs other functions or tasks as directed by the CNO and CNRF with additional duty to and as prescribed by U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Functionally, the command:

1) Manages, trains and administers the Navy Reserve Force as prescribed by the CNO and CNRF.
2) Manages assigned resources and executes the budget as a major claimant (BSO 72).
3) Monitors the effectiveness of resources management, training and administration of the Navy Reserve.
4) Directs corrective action to ensure the responsiveness and mobilization readiness of the Navy Reserve meet the requirements prescribed by the CNO.
5) Serves as a General Court-Martial convening authority.

CNRFC operates six regional headquarters and 107 Navy Reserve Centers (NRCs), located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam. NRCs are the readiness generation centers of the Navy Reserve that provide administrative, training and readiness support to Navy Reserve Sailors, ensuring the Navy Reserve remains warfighting ready, anytime, anywhere.