Reserve Force Master Chief Hosts Virtual Q&A With Sea Cadets

16 June 2020

From Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Craig Rodarte

A panel of Reservists joined more than 40 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps for a virtual call to field questions about careers in the Navy and Navy Reserve.

Download

171104-N-PJ969-1169 FORT PIERCE, Fla., (Nov. 4, 2017) U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Petty Officer 1st Class Morales, Centurion Battalion, provides a rallying cry to her cadets during SEAL inspired beach physical training. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Abe McNatt)

WASHINGTON -- Reserve Force Master Chief Chris Kotz and a panel of Reservists joined more than 40 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) on a virtual call to field questions about careers in the Navy and Navy Reserve, June 5.

The virtual environment allowed the panel and cadets a chance to invest personal one-on-one time despite the restrictions of face-to-face interactions and travel.

“Opportunities to engage with active duty personnel and Reservists are one of the best things that the program offers,” said USNSCC Chief Jens Sorensen, a high school senior from Aberdeen, New Jersey who has been a part of the Sea Cadet program for five years. “It allows cadets to meet the people involved, and I think it’s valuable to see the humans behind the titles and institutions, as well as collect new information. I know I learned from the event.”

The panel, including Kotz and five Reserve 2nd Class Petty Officers, led the call with short back stories of their naval career and experience in the Navy Reserve and then turned it over to the cadets for questions.

“Cadet units routinely drill at many locations in the interior of our nation, where the Navy has Navy Operational Support Centers in areas where the Navy does not have a sea base,” said Kotz. “Our Navy Reserve activities host the local unit, and this exposes the young cadets to U.S. Navy Sailors, providing a basis for role modeling and mentorship. The training in Naval Science and Seamanship serve as an excellent foundation for a career in the Navy and, hopefully, the Navy Reserve.”

“The majority of our Reserve force has come from post active-duty, meaning you completed four years active duty, then you entered the Reserve force,” said Kotz during the call explaining that there are Sailors who come straight into the Navy Reserve as well. “We do have what we call new accession training, those are Sailors who have not served active duty. Those Sailors still go to boot camp, primary school for training and then right into a Reserve capacity.”

Many of the Sea Cadet questions ranged from what it’s like in special operation units, making a choice between serving the active-duty Navy or as a Reserve Sailor, balancing Navy service and family life, details about specific rates, and even questions about challenges being the Reserve Force Master Chief.

“Undeniably it is a privilege,” said Kotz to the last questions adding that even though the challenges of his position has put strain on his family and he’s missed key milestones in his kids lives, the experience has been incredible.

One cadet asked how military training stacks up against civilian training, specifically about being a Reserve Seabee as compared to a construction professional in the civilian world.

“It’s a pretty tight standard when it comes to our building specifications,” said panel member Builder 2nd Class Patrick Diggins-Davis assigned Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 25 Detachment Milwaukee, who says some building standards set on Seabees exceed civilian expectations. “We have an extensive manual that we’re held to. It tells us what we can and cannot do.”

Some cadets are closer to high school graduation and making career decisions, and the virtual call helped define their career path.

“I have been accepted into the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and am due to report on July 10th,” said USNSCC Chief Patience Simes, a high school senior from Knoxville, Tenn. who has been a Sea Cadet for six years. “I feel more focused on the paths that I can take upon graduating.”

Kotz, who has a vested interest in the program from years of active participation, expressed that the skills cadets learn are applicable with or without continuing to a military education.

“The Sea Cadet Corps instill our youth with the principles of citizenship and democracy, while teaching strong moral character, teamwork and leadership,” said Kotz. “These skills will help them thrive not only in military service, but throughout life.”

USNSCC is a national youth leadership development organization that promotes interest and skill in naval disciplines while instilling strong moral character and life skills through leadership and technical programs modeled after the Navy's professional development system.

For more information about the Navy Reserve, visit https://www.facebook.com/U.S.NavyReserve/

For more information about the USNSCC, visit https://www.seacadets.org

Rear Admiral Richard S. Lofgren

Acting Chief of Navy Reserve, Acting, Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Adm. Richard S. Lofgren serves as the Acting Chief of Navy Reserve and Acting Commander, Navy Reserve Force. In this role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for Navy Reserve personnel and operations worldwide, supporting the readiness and integration of Reserve forces across the fleet. A Surface Warfare Officer, Rear Adm. Lofgren brings extensive operational and command experience across maritime expeditionary, coastal riverine, and surface warfare missions, including service in senior leadership roles supporting U.S. naval operations in multiple geographic combatant commands. His career reflects a sustained commitment to operational excellence, leadership development, and the effective employment of Navy Reserve forces in support of national security objectives.

Rear Admiral Luke A. Frost

Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, Deputy Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Adm. Luke Frost is a Surface Warfare Officer with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across the fleet. He has served in senior command roles at sea and ashore, including command of major surface combatants and amphibious forces operating throughout the Central Command and Indo-Pacific areas of responsibility. As a Flag Officer, Rear Adm. Frost served as Director, Reserve Warfare (OPNAV N0959) on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations, where he provided oversight and strategic guidance for Reserve force integration and readiness. His career reflects a deep commitment to warfighting excellence, joint operations, and the effective employment of naval forces in support of U.S. national security objectives.

Rear Admiral John Saccomando

Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve/Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet/Vice Commander, Naval Air Forces

Rear Admiral John Saccomando is a Naval Aviator with extensive operational, command, and strategic leadership experience across both active and reserve components. He has served in multiple senior command and flag assignments supporting naval aviation, expeditionary operations, and installation readiness, including leadership roles within U.S. Fleet Forces and Naval Air Forces Atlantic. A combat-experienced aviator, Rear Adm. Saccomando brings deep expertise in joint operations, force integration, and operational readiness, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing naval capabilities and supporting U.S. national security objectives worldwide.

Rear Admiral Gregory K. Emery

Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

Rear Adm. Greg Emery is a Navy Reserve flag officer with extensive leadership experience across naval oceanography, intelligence, and information warfare. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he has served in a wide range of operational, command, and staff assignments supporting global naval and joint operations, including senior leadership roles within Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command and the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Rear Adm. Emery brings deep expertise in intelligence integration, operational support, and information warfare, reflecting a sustained commitment to advancing decision advantage and mission readiness across the fleet.

Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios

Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios serves as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Navy Reserve, advising on the readiness, welfare, and professional development of approximately 59,000 Reserve Component Sailors supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint operations worldwide. A seasoned Command Master Chief, she brings extensive experience across aviation, expeditionary, and information warfare communities, with senior enlisted leadership assignments at the unit, regional, and force levels. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to Sailor advocacy, operational readiness, and the effective integration of Navy Reserve forces in support of national defense objectives.

Master Chief Robert W. Lyons II

Command Master Chief, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

Command Master Chief Lyons brings extensive operational and shore-based leadership experience across aviation, logistics, manpower, and readiness organizations within the Navy Reserve enterprise. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2016, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at Navy Operational Support Center Pearl Harbor, Navy Personnel Command, Maritime Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command. An Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is recognized for sustained excellence in leadership and readiness, earning multiple personal, joint, and unit awards throughout his career.

Master Chief Van "Chris" Louvier

Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

Command Master Chief Louvier enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1997 and brings extensive aviation maintenance and readiness leadership experience across multiple Fleet Logistics, Strike Fighter, Helicopter, and Reserve aviation commands. Selected as a Command Master Chief in 2015, he has served in senior enlisted leadership roles at VR-56, Commander, Tactical Support Wing, Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Mid-West, and currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve. An Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, he is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy and multiple executive leadership programs and has earned numerous personal and unit awards for sustained excellence in leadership and mission readiness.

Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson

Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

Master Chief Jerry E. Dotson was born in Garden Grove, California, and raised in Sacramento. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 29, 2002, and completed recruit training and Electrician’s Mate “A” School in Great Lakes, Illinois. His career spans operational, reserve, aviation, and senior enlisted leadership assignments, and he currently serves as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve.