WICHMANN: Good morning sir! How are you? Do you have a couple of minutes?
BOWES: Chief, absolutely! What’s going on?
WICHMANN: Awesome. Thank you sir. So, I guess my first question is, would be, can someone like me, a Navy Reserve Sailor, get the COVID-19 vaccine from the DoD?
BOWES. Absolutely, yes! In fact, both SELRES and Full-Time Support Sailors are eligible and encouraged to receive COVID-19 vaccines for free at their nearest medical military treatment facilities (MTFs). But remember, every MTF is different, so you should reach out to your NOSC to see if it is available.
WICHMANN: Ok, but say I don’t live near a MTF or DoD vaccination site, can I get the COVID-19 vaccine another way?
BOWES: Yes. You can take part in local civil vaccination programs, even through your civilian employer. The goal is to rapidly and safely vaccinate as many Sailors as possible.
WICHMANN: Why can’t my NOSC just get it for me?
BOWES: A great question. We get this a lot. The reality is that NOSCs aren’t part of the distribution for the vaccine – it’s through the MTFs. NOSCs lack the storage capability necessary to hold the vaccine. Now, there is hope that perhaps a new vaccine will come out that doesn’t have the temperature requirements as the current vaccine, but it might be awhile.
WICHMANN: So, I’m not getting it on a drill weekend?
BOWES: Well, again, it depends on your NOSC. All the NOSCs have been directed to coordinate with their nearest MTF to help get their Sailors vaccinated, but every NOSC has a different situation. Your NOSC may be fortunate enough to be located close to a MTF with the vaccine, or it may not. In any case, your NOSC will have a better sense of what’s possible.
WICHMANN: Ok, somewhat related - if I am enrolled in a TRICARE health plan, can I get the COVID-19 vaccine from a pharmacy?
BOWES: Yes, absolutely when it’s available, you should get it. Just remember to bring your vaccination card back to your unit.
WICHMANN: So, one of my friends said the COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory for Reserve Sailors?
BOWES: Correct, and this is true of all service members. Vaccination is strongly encouraged, but voluntary, as long as the vaccines have an Emergency Use Authorization.
WICHMANN: If I get the vaccine, do I still have to wear a mask?
BOWES: Definitely you do Chief. And here’s why, for two reasons. First, the vaccine’s effectiveness takes some time to build up. For example, one of these vaccines takes about two weeks to start becoming effective, and still won’t have the full effect until after the second vaccination. A second reason is that while the evidence is extremely strong that it will certainly protect the ones getting the vaccine, we still don’t know yet whether or not the vaccine will stop the spread of the virus to others. For example, you could get the vaccine… become immune yourself to the virus…later on catch the virus…but not get sick… but still possibly spread it to someone else. Essentially, we still need to wear masks to protect each other.
WICHMANN: Ok, just to make sure I’ve got this; I need to check with my NOSC to coordinate getting the vaccine with my local MTF; if not available, I can check with a civilian resource like a pharmacy; and lastly, always make sure to document my vaccination?
BOWES: Absolutely Chief, and yes, please help make sure our Sailors understand this. Because here is the bottom line – if we use all tools available to sink COVID, like wearing masks, social distancing, and getting the vaccine, the sooner we can get back to a normal routine.
WICHMANN: Right on sir. Thanks for your time! (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Craig Rodarte)
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.