Chief of Navy Reserve Announces 18th Force Master Chief of the Navy Reserve

19 November 2024

From Commander, Navy Reserve Force Public Affairs

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.
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.
 
Acting Chief of Navy Reserve, Acting, Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Admiral Richard S. Lofgren

Acting Chief of Navy Reserve, Acting, Commander, Navy Reserve Force

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.

 

 
Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, Deputy Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Rear Admiral Luke A. Frost

Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command, Deputy Commander, Navy Reserve Force

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.

 

 
Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve/Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet/Vice Commander, Naval Air Forces

Rear Admiral John Saccomando

Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve/Deputy Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Pacific Fleet/Vice Commander, Naval Air Forces

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.

 

 
Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

Rear Admiral Gregory K. Emery

Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

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.

 

 
Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

Force Master Chief Nicole C. Rios

Navy Reserve Force Master Chief

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, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

Master Chief Robert W. Lyons II

Command Master Chief, Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command

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, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

Master Chief Van "Chris" Louvier

Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

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

Command Master Chief, Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve

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.

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