Newly-promoted Navy Reserve Lt. Dominique Pope learned much about service from her father, a Retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant who spent most of his career serving as a Reserve Airman.
His experience enabled him to prepare her for a rewarding career.
According to Pope, a Silver Springs, Maryland native, the only higher education military institution she was familiar with was the Naval Academy, until her father presented her with another option.
“My dad introduced me to the Merchant Marine Academy,” said Pope. “After learning more about it, I liked the idea of having the option to join any branch as a Reserve service member or to go on active duty.”
Pope attended the Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York, where she majored in Maritime Logistics and Security and, in 2018, received an automatic commission through the Strategic Sealift Officer (SSO) Program.
In her Navy Reserve role, Pope belongs to the Strategic Sealift Readiness Group (SSRG), a team of SSOs made up of actively sailing officers in the U.S. Merchant Marine who are uniquely qualified to operate merchant ships as naval auxiliaries in cases of national emergency. Pope and her fellow SSOs also provide officer crewing for ships in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) Ready Reserve Force (RRF) and Military Sealift Command's (MSC) Sealift Fleet.
Currently on Active Duty Operational Support (ADOS) orders to Commander Naval Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC), Pope serves as an Action Officer in the N15 Force Activation and Deactivation department. It is a role she relishes, as many SSOs occupy a place in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) where opportunities to gain significant operational experience and day-to-day continuity of operations are difficult to come by.
“As an SSO, I do not have a lot of opportunity to put significant time towards my Navy career,” said Pope. “So, when the opportunity presented itself to come to CNRFC on long-term orders, I took them, with the intent to build myself as an officer and get some real experience working in uniform.”
Pope’s current duty has afforded her that opportunity.
“I believe my newly gained knowledge of the Navy Reserve has pushed me to grow both personally and professionally,” said Pope. “I have seen myself grow as an officer and as a leader, and it has shown in my personal life, as well. I have more confidence in myself, and I feel better equipped to take on difficult situations that may be thrown my way.”
Pope’s main duty in N15 is assisting Sailors across the Force transition from Active Duty to Reserve and back again.
Pope said she values her ability to contribute to the efforts outlined in the 2022 Navy Reserve Fighting Instruction, which highlights four lines of effort: Design, Train, Mobilize and Develop, and which calls on Reserve Sailors to focus their efforts on consistent warfighting readiness.
Knowing that she is helping real people with potentially life-changing issues, and creating a smoother and more efficient process for future Reserve Sailors, is Pope’s favorite part of her job. “The progress the N15 team has made has required force-wide training and has already resulted in the mobilization of hundreds of Sailors,” stated Pope. This has contributed to achieving strategic depth and staying ready on day one.
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.