Vice Adm. John B. Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force recognized 27 civilian employers from across the nation for their exceptional support of Navy Reserve Sailors during the annual Navy Employer Recognition Event (NERE) September 21, 2022.
The event recognized employers who provide outstanding support to Navy Reserve Sailors who work for their organizations in a civilian capacity. The all-day event included tours of Navy ships, aircraft and facilities and concluded with a dinner reception with Mustin, as well as other flag officers and representatives from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
“We honor and recognize the many employers who support our Citizen Sailors, who are often called upon to leave their families and civilian jobs on short notice,” Mustin said, during the opening ceremonies at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, before inviting guests to take part in several hands-on events provided by Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 2.”
Visiting executives from various employer organizations had the opportunity to experience virtual small-arms combat simulators, tour static displays of Navy patrol craft, and meet special-warfare operators from SEAL Team 18. After lunch, they toured destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), followed by a walking tour of Navy Reserve aircraft at Chambers Field, including the F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-5N Tiger Phantom, E2-C Hawkeye, C-130 Hercules and CH-53 Sea Stallion. NERE 2022 concluded with an evening reception at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel.
NERE 2022 was an opportunity for employers to get better acquainted with the military commitments of their employees who are members of the Navy Reserve, providing a deeper understanding of the importance of employer support to Navy warfighting readiness.
“You really start to realize what people sacrifice to do this job,” said Carrie Stanbridge, district maintenance engineer for the Florida Department of Transportation, whose Navy Reserve employee recently returned from an overseas deployment. “So it really means something, and between the employer and the employee, it's a huge exercise in teamwork.”
The event also provided Navy Reserve Sailors an opportunity to thank their employers for supporting them and their families before, during and after mobilizations or deployments.
“My boss has to step in and do a lot while I’m gone,” said Commander Andy Kirby, operations officer for Naval Facilities Engineering Command Contingency Engineering Unit (NAVFAC CEU). “They say folks in the military take a lot on when they deploy–and we do–but the folks who stay behind are taking on a lot as well. I think it’s really great that my boss is willing to step up and take on the extra load to support me and my family while I’m away.”
Mustin, whose Navy Reserve Fighting Instructions 2022 reinforced the urgency of maintaining Navy Reserve Sailor warfighting readiness in a changing global security environment, thanked each employer individually and encouraged them to continue to support their warfighters.
“I can assure you, the phenomenal support you provide is consequential and appreciated,” Mustin said.
For more information on how Navy Selected Reserve Sailors can recognize their civilian employers, visit the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) webpage. ESGR is a DoD program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the Reserve Components through outreach, recognition, and educational opportunities. Navy Selected Reserve Sailors can also nominate their civilian employers for a Patriot award at: https://www.esgr.mil/
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.