Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Taylor is a native of Grindstone, Pennsylvania and is currently assigned to the “Fighting Saints” of Fighter Squadron Composite (VFC) 13 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Fallon, Nevada.
“I was 24 when I decided to join the Navy,” said Taylor. “Pretty much everybody in my family served in the armed forces in one way or another.”
Taylor had initially considered enlisting to serve in the military following his high school graduation but ultimately decided it wasn’t the right time. Years later, the opportunity for service once again piqued his interest.
“I’d been working at a factory in Jamestown, New York,” said Taylor. “They ended up laying a bunch of people off. I wasn’t going to get that job back, and I thought, ‘You know what? I’ve been putting this off, and maybe it’s time.’”
Taylor explained that in his area, the recruiters of all branches of the military were in a central location with respective offices.
“I went to the recruiting center and the Navy recruiters were there,” said Taylor. “I’d been deciding between the Navy and the Air Force at that time, and the Navy recruiters were the ones there in the office.”
From there, Taylor’s Navy career began in aviation.
“I joined in 2015 as a Naval Aircrewman Mechanical (AWF),” said Taylor. “I went through most of the syllabus. I was at [Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 53] at Andrews Air Force Base. I ended up doing a conversion to personnel specialist (PS) in 2017.”
Taylor then explained his first command as a PS, Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Allentown, Penn., which has since been closed, and how it helped prepare him for his current role.
“It was a good little place, and I learned a lot in my three years there,” Taylor reminisced. “I didn’t end up going to PS ‘A’ school, so I learned on the job. I learned everything I could at that command, and then I came here to VFC-13.”
VFC-13 is a Navy Reserve squadron that provides adversary support to the fleet. The squadron’s aircraft are painted to resemble those of an adversary, and its aviators play the role of the aggressor, flying against Navy pilots for combat training.
“We have top-notch performers,” said Taylor. “From our lowest ranks to our commanding officer, they’re really sharp. They know their stuff. I also appreciate that most people here aren’t afraid to say when they don’t know something and track the information down to do things right.”
Taylor said he’s proud of his work supporting VFC-13’s aviators while they carry out the mission.
“When they’re up in the air, they can’t be worrying about their pay, life insurance, etc.,” said Taylor. “Being able to help them have a clear mind by taking the worries of that administrative burden and eliminating them is really rewarding. It’s nice knowing that we’re supporting training fighter pilots. If this place wasn’t running, people wouldn’t be getting the training they need to get out there and fight.”
Taylor explained that the best part of working at VFC-13 is the dynamic of the “Fighting Saints” team.
“People here are amazing, treat each other well, and I get nothing but respect from the people above me,” said Taylor. “The trust is given when the trust is earned here, and I know that my work is valued.”
He added that the squadron has a strong culture of mentorship, which he’s benefitted from throughout his time there.
“I’ve gotten great mentorship here,” said Taylor. “For example, [Chief Yeoman] Timothy Sampson taught me how to anticipate questions leadership will ask when you bring them something, which has helped me be a lot more prepared. I learned a lot from him in general. He even facilitated a training three days before he left for his next command.”
Despite feeling confident in his work as a PS, Taylor remains eager to continue honing his craft.
“It took a lot to get to where I am today,” he said. “I still don’t know everything; there’s no way to. I’ll always be learning.”
Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve (CNAFR) mans, trains and equips the Naval Air Force Reserve in order to provide enduring operational support and strategic depth to Navy forces that win in combat.
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.