Vice Adm. John B. Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, announced the selection of FC1 John Clements as the 2023 Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year (RSOY), in a ceremony, May 17.
FC1 Clements from St. Augustine, Florida, assigned to Commander Naval Surface Group Southeast DET B, was selected from a group of five finalists as the fiscal year 2023’s top Reserve enlisted Sailors during a ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Navy located at the Navy Yard, Washington, DC.
The finalists competed for selection as the Reserve Sailor of the Year during an interview board held from 13–17 May 2024 in the Nation’s Capital. During the week, finalists met with senior leadership, toured the Pentagon, the National Mall, the Navy Memorial, the National Archives and enjoyed fellowship with their Shipmates.
As a result of Clement’s selection, he will be recommended to the Chief of Naval Personnel for meritorious advancement to the rank of chief petty officer per OPNAVINST 1700.10P, Navy Sailor of the Year Program.
The additional 2023 Navy Reserve Sailor of the Year finalists were:
· YN1 Matthew Fields, Mobilization and Deployment Support Command.
· AT1(AW) Paul Laughlin, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron FIVE NINE.
· MM1(SS) Matthew Lipscomb, Surge Main Everett.
· IS1 Sinclair Sandoval, Office of Naval Intelligence Warfare Intelligence Center Alameda.
Ceremony hosts Vice Adm. John B. Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force and Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Tracy L. Hunt (SW/EXW/AW) were joined by 2022 Navy Reserve Sailor of The Year, Chief Lewis McClintock.
Leading up to the ceremony, a team of senior enlisted leaders chaired by Hunt conducted a rigorous selection process and ultimately made the recommendation for the finalist to Mustin.
According to Hunt, making the final choice was no easy task and the margin for the selection of a winner was razor-thin.
“Choosing one Sailor was no small feat,” said Hunt. “You should all be proud of your accomplishments. In the Olympic games, the difference between winning gold and silver may be fractions of a second, and the same can be said for selecting one of you as our Sailor of the Year.”
Following his remarks, Hunt introduced Mustin, who reinforced how the individual competitiveness and sustained superior performance of each Sailor will ultimately serve to strengthen the Navy Reserve Force for years to come.
“Regardless of today’s results, each of our finalists will continue their impressive contributions to our Force,” said Mustin. “I take comfort in knowing these impressive Sailors will be a part of the leadership of the Navy Reserve in the critical years ahead — each one driving the generational transformation of our Force — and I take great pride in serving alongside each one of you.”
After the announcement, the newly minted Reserve Sailor of the Year talked about the importance of the support he’s received from his family, mentors and junior Sailors.
“Without them I wouldn’t be here,” said Clements, addressing family and friends directly.. “Thank you for your unwavering support since day one….. They’ve pushed me, they’ve driven me and they’ve made me the best version of myself so that I can be here today…. I am proud to serve, and I look forward as a chief petty officer to continuing our Navy’s primary mission of warfighting readiness.”
“In your achievements you exemplify the best our Reserve Force has to offer, and exactly what our fleet commanders demand: talented, capable, dedicated, warfighting-ready Sailors with a clear-eyed resolve to compete, deter and win today.” said Mustin.
Late Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Jack Whittet initiated the Sailor of the Year program in 1972 to recognize outstanding Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors. The program was later expanded to honor the top Shore and Reserve Force Sailors of the Year.
For the latest news and updates across the Reserve Force, visit the official Navy Reserve website https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/ and follow the U.S. Navy Reserve on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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.