Vice Admiral John Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, recognized over 47 civilian employers representing companies from across the nation for their exceptional support of Navy Reserve Sailors during the Navy Reserve's annual Navy Employer Recognition Event (NERE) June 11, 2024.
The annual event recognizes employers who provide outstanding support to Navy Reserve Sailors who work for their organizations in a civilian capacity. The all-day event included a tour of USS Tripoli (LHA 7), static displays of aircraft and facilities and a dinner reception aboard USS Midway Museum with Mustin, as well as other flag officers and representatives from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
“We’re here to show our thanks,” said Mustin, addressing the assembly of employers and participants during the event's opening ceremony on the USS Tripoli flight deck. “Your support of your Navy Reserve employees is critical to our bi-coastal nation’s ability to maintain maritime dominance and to protect our economic vibrancy, our prosperity and our security, which, frankly, depends on the seas.”
Visiting executives from various employer organizations had the opportunity to experience a live demonstration from the Navy Marine Mammal Program, view an aircraft static display from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR-57), take tours of Navy patrol craft and observe a demonstration with the military working dogs from Naval Base San Diego Security Department.
Employers and participants also met with Navy special warfare operators from SEAL Team 17, toured the USS Midway Museum, and enjoyed a lunch provided by the ESGR.
“Just being able to work with Reserve Sailors in a way that allows them to do all the great things that they are doing for the country is really important to us,” said Laura Kitto, Vice President of Human Resources for Distributor Wire and Cable in Aurora, Colorado. “To be able to see that there are other folks out here from different businesses trying their best to support Reserve Sailors is pretty neat.”
NERE provides 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.
It also provides a day of fun for spectators as many of the Navy’s critical operations provide a glimpse of their capability to a live civilian audience.
“This has been super fun to get a look inside the culture (of the Navy) and to try to understand it better,” said Kitto. “Also, the dolphin demonstration was really cool.” Navy Reserve Sailors used the occasion as an opportunity to thank their employers for supporting them and their families before, during and after mobilizations or deployments, a thanks Mustin reinforced to the event's attendees.
“The Navy Reserve has one and only one priority,” said Mustin, “That, ladies and gentlemen, is warfighting readiness. Navy Reserve Sailors, your employees need to be ready to fight on day one when called upon – and I can assure you that the phenomenal support you provide is consequential and appreciated.”
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.