Capt. Jason Small relieved Capt. Jonas C. Jones Commander, Navy Region Northwest Reserve Component Command (NRNW RCC), Everett, in a change of command ceremony Friday, September 24th 2021. A retirement ceremony was conducted following the change of command to celebrate the 30-year career of Capt. Jones. Rear Adm. John A. Schommer, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, was the presiding officer.
Jones, a native of Whidbey Island, Wash., was the 26th commander for NRNW RCC Everett, since it first stablished in 1976.
“We have 16 reserve centers over 11 states, 4,000 reserve members,” said Jones. “Our job is simple, make sure that all 4,000 of those Sailors are ready to mobilize whenever, where ever required by this nation. During my time here, three year, we mobilize 657 reserve Sailors all over the globe. We mobilized 208 of those over the last eight months or so to support COVID operations, when the country was overwhelmed by the virus. Those Sailor, and the ones here who mobilized them, have my deepest respect.”
“Reserve Component Northwest team, you are superb,” said Jones. “Each and every one of you. In doing your job everyday with excellence, treating your fellow human being with dignity and respect, accomplishing tasks with no training, with the COVID task we had no preparation for that, and you knocked the ball out of the park every single time.”
Rear Adm. John A. Schommer, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command discussed with guest the importance of Navy leaders in a Reserve force that generates and maintains a ready, lethal force, that continues to provide a critical strategic depth to our Navy. During the ceremony, he voiced his gratitude and praised Jones leadership during his tour.
“It is my genuine privilege to be part of the change of command for Reserve Component Command Northwest,” said Schommer. “This is a transition between two incredible leaders, Capt. Jonas Jones and Capt. Jason Small. RCC Northwest is, as Jonas likes to say, where the west leads the best. In order to ensure that our citizen Sailors are war fighting ready, RCC Northwest relies on the best leaders, the best Sailors, our Navy Reserve has to offer.”
Small native of Carson City, Nevada will carry-on Jones term by leading the largest geographical Region comprised of 16 Navy Operational Support Centers (NOSCs) across 11 states.
“The Chief of Navy Reserve gave us a pretty simple mission,” said Small. “War fighting readiness. So everything we do, if it ties back to war fighting readiness we are doing the right thing. We know our mission and we can execute our mission. I am super confident in all the Sailors, Men and Women of the region to be able to do that. I am super excited to be a part of the team.”
With the reading of Jones’ and Small’s orders, command was officially passed to Small, transitioning him from his previous role as the Reserve Program Director of the United States Pacific Fleet.
The ceremony shifted from the change of command to Jones retirement, where he thanked his family and command personnel for all their hard work and devotion to the United States Navy.
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.