Hunt Becomes 17th Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

14 October 2021

From Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command Public Affairs

 Master Chief Petty Officer (SW/AW/EXW) Tracy L. Hunt relieved Master Chief Petty Officer (FMF/SW) Chris Kotz as Navy Reserve Force Master Chief during a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, Oct. 12.    Hunt is the 17th Navy Reserve Force Master Chief following his previous assignment as Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. With more than 30 years of service, including more than a decade since completing the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat course in 2009, Hunt was carefully selected to assume his new role.
WASHINGTON (Oct. 12, 2021) — Master Chief Petty Officer (SW/AW/EXW) Tracy L. Hunt relieved Master Chief Petty Officer (FMF/SW) Chris Kotz as Navy Reserve Force Master Chief during a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, Oct. 12. 
 
Hunt is the 17th Navy Reserve Force Master Chief following his previous assignment as Command Master Chief for Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. With more than 30 years of service, including more than a decade since completing the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat course in 2009, Hunt was carefully selected to assume his new role.
 
“Force Hunt was selected from the most exclusive, competitive and talented field of Navy Reserve Master Chiefs our nation has ever known.  His deep warfighting, leadership and Reserve experiences make him an important partner and strong champion for our Reserve Force,” said Vice Adm. John B. Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve, and Commander, Navy Reserve Force. 
 
A native of Meherrin, Virginia, Hunt enlisted in the Navy in September, 1989. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, he completed seaman apprentice training in December, 1989.
 
Hunt’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment in the history of the Navy Reserve.
 
“For the entire force, I ask you to embrace change,” said Hunt. “The Reserve force is transforming, and we must position ourselves to answer when we are called to fight.”
Kotz, who held the position since Oct. 2017, turned over the duties to Hunt immediately preceding his official retirement ceremony, finishing 30 years of dedicated and honorable service.
 
“As we aggressively modernize our Reserve Force to address today’s global environment, building new capabilities and shifting capacity to meet the needs of long-term strategic competition, Force Master Chief Kotz has been front and center.  His impact on the Navy, and our nation’s defense, will be felt for year and decades to come,” Mustin said.
 
Hunt emphasized his ongoing commitment to supporting the evolving mission of the Navy Reserve and encouraged all Reserve Sailors to do the same.
 
“Embrace this change, embrace the Navy Reserve Fighting Instructions, and focus on our number one priority — warfighting readiness,” Hunt said.

Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC) ensures our citizen Sailors are ready on day one. Headquartered in Norfolk, CNRFC delivers strategic depth, operational capability and combat power to the Navy, Marine Corps and Joint Forces with a singular focus on warfighting readiness in an era of Strategic Competition. CNRFC ensures our citizen Sailors are informed about active and Reserve personnel initiatives, programs, policies, and resources to maintain warfighting and mobilization readiness. For the latest news and updates across the Reserve Force, follow the Navy Reserve on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and visit the Navy Reserve website here: https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/
 
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Acting Chief of Navy Reserve, Acting, Commander, Navy Reserve Force

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.

 

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

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.

 

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

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.

 

 
Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

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.

 

 
Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

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.

 

 
Command Master Chief, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

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.


 
Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

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.

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