Springtime in D.C. brings visitors from across the country to take in the sights. The cherry blossoms in bloom, the artifacts of the Smithsonian, and the monuments draw countless sightseers every year. But in May, 2025, five visitors quietly came to the nation’s capital for a different reason – to represent the U.S. Navy Reserve; among them was the Navy Reserve’s 2024 Sailor of the Year (RSOY).
The Reserve Sailor of the Year program is the highest individual honor a Reserve Sailor can earn outside of combat. Selection is based on sustained superior performance, community impact, and embodiment of Navy core values. The finalists being considered for this momentous achievement represent the best that the Navy Reserve has to offer, and run the gamut of ratings and skill sets across the Navy. They are:
“Whether in cyber, medicine, construction, air control, or intel, these Reservists surge into the fight, 'Ready on Day One,' and continuously raise the bar,” said Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, Chief of Navy Reserve. “That is the power of our Total Force—and why our adversaries will never succeed. Each finalist has been selected because they have consistently displayed decisive leadership under pressure, deep technical mastery, specialized qualifications beyond requirements, relentless commitment to professional growth, and an impeccable bearing that earns trust from the deckplates to the watch floor to the ready room.”
The finalists are brought together to face a board of members of the Navy Reserve’s leadership to gauge the candidates knowledge, bearing and professionalism. It can be an – understandably – daunting, but inspiring, process.
“It’s awesome, a very humbling experience,” said Pratt. “I’ve learned a lot getting to be here with my fellow first classes, getting to know the senior chiefs and master chiefs, and talking to Fleet and Force master chiefs. I had a lot of mentors who put me in a lot of uncomfortable positions to either make or break me and here I am. Just a lot of support building the foundation to get here.”
The arduous selection process is offset by friendly meetings with Navy Reserve leadership and mentoring sessions, which the finalists are looking forward to bringing back to their Sailors and commands.
“I’m definitely looking forward to bringing back everything that I’ve learned, especially the ‘why,’ the bigger picture of how everything works at the unit level,” said Ramirez. “Out here you have these very important people who do very important work, and it’s interesting to see it from their perspective.”
Also included are tours of sites around D.C. that highlight the history and heritage of the country and its Navy such as the National Archives, the U.S. Navy Museum, the Navy Memorial, and various war memorials throughout the National Mall allow the RSOY finalists to absorb the gravity of their unique positions in the world’s most lethal Navy by getting face-to-face with artifacts such as original copies of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
No matter who walks away from the week as the Reserve Sailor of the Year 2024, all are enriched by the experience.
“It’s a blessing,” added Ramirez. “It’s an honor, it’s great to be here.”
The Navy Reserve provides roughly 20 percent of the Navy’s end strength and delivers specialized skills like cyber, medical, and logistics that are costly to replicate on active duty and are represented by the 2024 RSOY finalists. The mission of the Navy Reserve is to provide strategic depth and deliver operational capabilities to the Navy and Marine Corps team and the Joint Force, 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.
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.