Columbia Gorge, Oregon is known for its scenic hiking trails and waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest. It is also home to U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Kayla Gathright, who in 2022, became the first service member to be crowned Miss Oregon for America Strong. After her marriage earlier this year, Gathright will now represent Columbia Gorge for the Mrs. Oregon America 2025 competition. “I would say my favorite thing to do at Columbia Gorge is hike the trails leading to the waterfalls,” said Gathright, who was born and raised in Portland before moving to Columbia Gorge. “Triple falls is my favorite trail; it has some challenging spots but the view is absolutely stellar.” With eight years of service under her belt as a Navy Reserve Sailor, she is currently deployed with Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 1 to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
“MSRON is very high tempo,” said Gathright. “It takes a good amount of dedication; it’s not just about obtaining the next qualification, it’s about knowing your duties and responsibilities in all aspects while on the water.”
As part of the boat maintenance facilities department, Gathright is qualified as a navigator which makes her second-in-command on underway vessels. Gathright has been assigned to MSRON 1 for the past three years, and is currently deployed with them to Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti to provide security for transiting U.S. ships as part of Camp Lemonnier’s dedicated, world-class support for 36 tenant commands, U.S. service members and transient assets. While she had many reasons for joining the military, Gathright said her primary influence in joining the Navy was her great-grandfather, Dale Carruthers, who survived the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor while serving onboard the USS Pennsylvania. “I joined because I wanted to bring the military back into my family,” said Gathright. “I also wanted to ensure that I was happy with what I accomplish in life and be a part of something that was much bigger than myself.” Gathright became interested in pageants in 2021 after a fellow Sailor persuaded her to try it as a way of finding personal empowerment. She was surprised to find parallels between the two worlds. “Being part of the Navy and pageants has taught me how important it is to find my niche,” said Gathright. “In both aspects, I’ve learned how to step out of my comfort zone and that it’s okay to fail as long as I’m learning and growing.” In both the Navy and the pageantry worlds, Gathright feels a sense of community and sisterhood strengthened by shared trials and changes in which she has taken part.
Now, while deployed, Gathright is experiencing new challenges.
“So far, I’ve learned that it’s important to stay true to yourself, your morals and your beliefs,” said Gathright. “I have been able to make time to give back to the local community in Djibouti, which has given me the greatest sense of fulfillment. I have been able to prove to myself that I am capable of service at a greater level; not just to Columbia Gorge and my home state, but to our nation, the Navy and Djibouti.”
Read more about Gathright's journey here:
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/430539/sailor-finds-empowerment-beyond-stereotypes-while-capturing-miss-oregon-america-strong-title
(U.S. Navy story by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patricia Elkins)
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.