Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore relieved Vice Adm. John B. Mustin as Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, during a change of command ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, Aug. 23. Lacore, the 16th Chief of Navy Reserve, is a native of Albany, New York, and a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts and her commission from the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. She earned a Master of Arts from San Diego State University and is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the National Defense University at the Joint Forces Staff College. She was designated a Naval Aviator in 1993.
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti delivered keynote remarks at the ceremony, which also included a flyover by Fighter Squadron Composite Twelve (VFC-12), Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Va. “Today is a Great Navy Day,” said Franchetti from under a bright blue sunlit sky, “We bear witness to a time-honored tradition where we transfer the authority and responsibility of the office of Chief of Navy Reserve from one officer to the next. It is a significant event for this command, our Navy, for the Joint Force and especially for John Mustin, Nancy Lacore and their families.”
Mustin, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, became the 15th Chief of Navy Reserve in 2020 at the height of the global COVID-19 Pandemic. Upon accepting the responsibility as CNR, Mustin implemented a strategic plan to innovate and modernize communication in the Reserve component to increase operational readiness and improve organizational flexibility.
During his four-year tour as CNR, Mustin oversaw communication innovations such as Forceconnect, Flankspeed, Nautilus Virtual Desktop, Wi-Fi upgrades at 147 Navy Reserve sites and the implementation of the i3 Waypoints program to spur creative solutions from within the ranks of the Reserve Force.
Mustin said he was honored to lead Sailors through historic challenges during his four-year command and praised their unceasing dedication to mission accomplishment. “The dedication of our citizen Sailors, civilians and their supportive families has been a gratifying source of daily inspiration,” said Mustin. “Commanding, representing, and advocating for the Navy Reserve has been the honor of a lifetime.
Mustin, who received the Distinguished Service Medal and retired from 30 years of military service during the ceremony, described Lacore as well-suited to lead and prepare the Navy Reserve though the challenges of the next several years. “Nancy, you are the right person, at the right time, in the right place,” said Mustin. “The long blue line has never failed us, and your Sailors are poised to bring your vision to life.”
Mustin’s 2020 and 2022 Navy Reserve Fighting Instructions served as an action plan for transforming the Navy Reserve, outlining four lines of effort to Design, Train, Mobilize and Develop the Reserve Force. Mustin also laid the framework for a ten-year plan for the Reserve Force via the release of Battle Orders 2032.
Upon taking command as the 16th Chief of Navy Reserve, Lacore said she will continue to follow the innovative course set by Mustin, while focusing on making specific improvements in the culture of the Reserve Force.
“Retention is driven by culture,” said Lacore. “The better our culture, the more Sailors we’ll retain. Each of us has a role in shaping and sustaining the culture of the Navy Reserve. We can affect some change with policy, but the most impactful way to shape a Sailor’s experience is with hands-on, Sailor-focused leadership at the unit level.”
The Ready Reserve Force consists of over 105,000 members and is composed of Full-Time Support, Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve Sailors. Lacore specifically identified trust as a key organizational focal point in the development of every Reserve Sailor; Trust between people, trust in the organization and a steadfast reliance on the processes and resources which help them achieve mission success.
“We have work to do, and that work starts now,” said Lacore. “When the call comes, we’ll need the capability to activate 50,000 Reservists within 30 days. We cannot afford to wait for that call to build trust; we must establish it now.” The mission of the Navy Reserve is to provide strategic depth and deliver operational capabilities to the Navy and Marine Corps team and joint forces. Navy Reserve Sailors seamlessly support and actively aid that mission, all while continuing to lead their own independent lives in the civilian world. 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.