Even if you are not in the IT field of work, all Sailors should be excited about the implementations that Office of the Chief of the Navy Reserve (OCNR) have made.
Capt. Christopher D. Peppel, Office of the Chief of Navy Reserve (OPNAV N0956) / RM 5E230 Director, IT Division and Navy Reserve Chief Information Officer made a site visit to Navy Reserve Center (NRC) Atlanta on October 16th to assess system performance under stress and conduct a ‘Future of Navy Reserve IT’ brief.
Peppel chose to visit NRC Atlanta because he wanted to highlight the first site to receive EIS (Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions) – Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) that will improve connectivity (in bandwidth by up to 60x) and physical coverage in the spaces). EIS is the backbone to future projects like virtual desktop and other bring your own device (BYOD) solutions. He also conducted an IT brief with the ultimate goal of surveying the new Wi-Fi.
“The Navy Reserve is replacing a years-old system called “Navy NOSC Wi-Fi” with modern infrastructure as a service (IaaS) called Enterprise Infrastructure Solution (EIS) provided by DISA,” said Peppel. “One hundred sixty-eight Navy Reserve Activities (NRAs) are in various stages of receiving an EIS install. EIS is a critical backbone to the future of Navy Reserve IT. It will replace legacy copper connections to the facilities with fiber optic connections, greatly increase bandwidth (more than 60x, in many cases), and provide near-total coverage to the NRAs’ spaces. Having wireless connectivity covering each NRA that is quick, available, and maintained through the EIS contract will enable NRAs to increase access for those who wish to work from their own devices (recognizing that the availability of NMCI-wired computers is not 1:1 for computers to SELRES). NRC Atlanta was the first NRA to commission an EIS system.”
Although Atlanta was the first site to receive this, there are now 45 sites are complete, 22 in progress, and 4 are scheduled these implementations.
During the visit Capt. Peppel confirmed that coverage within NRC Atlanta was greatly improved as a result of the increased number of access points – for example, Wi-Fi now reaches medical in the basement spaces where it did not before. This will lead to increased productivity, mobility, and collaboration.
“At two sites, we are in talks with other DON entities to connect NRA Wi-Fi via wireless 5G,” said Peppel. “This could be a cost saver (no need to run fiber optic cable underground at significant cost) by using commercial towers already in place. At this point, the effort is nascent and experimental.”
“Legacy Navy NRC Wi-Fi is being replaced with EIS,” said Peppel. “This service contract being performed by AT&T includes fiber to the buildings of the NRAs, wireless access points (WAPs) to send/receive Wi-Fi to nearly 100% of manned spaces, and contractor-provided networking gear to connect everything. In NRAs that rely on older copper phone lines EIS will also bring voice-over IP (VOIP) telephones (about 25% of the NRAs) to comply with a Department of the Navy mandate to divest of legacy analog phone switches.”
These implementations are going to improve the future of the fleet because improved Wi-Fi is the first step to transform the way the fleet operates.
“With fiber optics running commercial Wi-Fi, we can easily dial up bandwidth as needed – Wi-Fi will be the foundation for future capability,” said Peppel. “For example, we are beginning now to procure, provision, and distribute licenses for Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). AVD is a platform-agnostic solution, which will allow for an NMCI-like experience, turning any device into a viable working platform. For those who choose to bring their own device, the functionality of AVD over the connectivity of EIS will vastly improve access for those who drill or work from a Navy Reserve Activity.”
The outcome of this visit is that the future of Navy Reserve IT will rely more on the ‘computer in your pocket,’ or – your smart phone. It will likely use a ‘thin client’ instead of the costly computers that sit on our desks, increasing availability, decreasing cost, and improving efficiency.
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.