Townsend recalled his first assignment aboard the combat stores ship USS White Plains (AFS-4) during the runup to Operation Desert Storm in 1991. What he remembers most is not the anticipation of conflict or the nervous energy of a crew preparing to join in a historic fight, but how his leading petty officer simply took advantage of some downtime to train him on the basics of electronics.
“My LPO was Robert Washburn,” said Townsend. “I’ll never forget this guy. I didn't have any knowledge of electronics. He took the time, wrote out schematics and taught me the different formulas, [showed me] how to read for resistance, and find the answer. He’d throw a trick in there for me to figure out. But that’s what helped me on the exam. And I made 3rd class the first time up. The fact that we had one-on-one time, that was one of the most memorable moments early on in my career, and it got me to where I am today.”
Now as the Maintenance Material Control Officer (MMCO) at Fleet Readiness Center, Mid Atlantic, Townsend is one of 6,500 Sailors and Marines supporting the Navy’s eight Fleet Readiness Centers (FRCs), with locations on the U.S. East and West coasts and in Japan. FRCs are responsible for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft, engines, components and support equipment. “We have five different platforms that we work with here,” said Townsend. “We have the H-60, helicopters, H-53s, and we work with the V-22s. And we also work with the fire scout program. So we are pretty busy here. We actually have the largest FRC in the region. There are a lot of moving parts.”
A native of Martinsville, Virginia, Townsend enlisted in the Navy at 18 years old and spent nine years on active duty before transitioning to the Reserve, primarily to close the geographical gap between his young family in Florida and his duty station in Oceana, Virginia.
“I separated from active duty Dec. 8, 1998,” he said, “and Dec. 9, I was swearing right into the Reserve because I didn't want any breaks in service. I really enjoyed the military, but at the time, it was important to me to keep my family together.”
Now serving as a Full-Time Support officer, Townsend stressed how important it is for Navy leaders to stay approachable, humble, grounded and teachable.
“One of the main things I've learned in my career is just to be approachable,” he said. “As a leader, don't allow rank to change the way you are when you're with your sailors. Be approachable, stay humble and be an active listener, because we don't know all the answers.”
Recently promoted yet again, this time to lieutenant commander, the hard-charging Townsend said he’s currently closing in on yet another personal milestone.
“I have a re-enlistee next Friday, it'll be my first one at my new command,” he said. “This one will be my 100th re-enlistee. I've been keeping track ever since I was commissioned.”
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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.