Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, announced the selection of Master Chief Petty Officer (AW/EXW/IW) Nicole C. Rios, Command Master Chief, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, as 18th Navy Reserve Force Master Chief.

“It is my great honor to introduce the 18th Force Master Chief of the Reserve— Master Chief Petty Officer (AW/EXW/IW) Nicole C. Rios – a warfighter who has truly done it all,” said Lacore. “From her time as Command Master Chief at NOSC Ventura County, where she led mobilization for 48 reserve units, to her role with the Maritime Expeditionary Security Group ONE, where she oversaw the man, train and equip efforts for 2,400 sailors, she has consistently proven her ability to adapt, excel and lead.”

Rios will assume the post in July 2025, relieving Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Tracy Hunt, who has held the position since Oct. 2021.

“CMC Rios is known for bringing out the best in everyone around her,” said Hunt.  “She leads by example, sets a high standard and encourages others to do the same.
Rios said she is honored by the selection and looks forward to supporting Lacore in continuing to build a culture that enables all Reserve Sailors to reach their full potential and fosters high-performance at the individual, unit, and Force levels.

“I am profoundly honored and humbled to continue the mission with the amazing team of leaders that have been invested in posturing our Navy Reserve to provide the Strategic Depth we are designed to deliver.” said Rios. “We need every single Sailor to know their purpose, commit to mastering their craft, and accelerate their readiness, preparing self, team, and family, to face the challenges of our ever-shifting global security environment.  Together and with a sense of urgency we will strengthen our Warfighting Readiness and maintain our fighting advantage.”

Rios, a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, enlisted in the United States Navy February 1996. Following graduation from basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, she reported to Storekeeper Accession Training in Meridian, Mississippi.

More of Rios’s biography can be found at:  
https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/News/Article-View-News/Article/2225819/master-chief-petty-officer-awexwiw-nicole-c-rios-command-master-chief-commander/

“I’m confident that with her guiding our Force, we’ll continue to grow stronger and more ready for the challenges ahead,” said Hunt.

“The Navy could drop her into any unit, anywhere in the world, and she would find a way to make it work,” said Lacore. “That’s the very definition of warfighting breadth—and it’s exactly what we need in our leaders. As we face the challenges ahead, I am honored to have her walk beside me.”

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, in the full range of military operations from peace to war. It provides essential naval warfighting capabilities and expertise, strategically aligned with mission requirements — valued for warfighting readiness, innovation and agility.