Just as adversaries seek exploitable vulnerabilities in traditional warfare, they also leverage cyber-operations in an effort to gain operational advantage. Cyber capabilities function both as a non-kinetic offensive weapon and force multiplier supporting other domains—such as anti-missile defense at sea or the protection of space-based assets.
Prior to the creation of the MCWO community, the Navy relied on Information Warfare (IW) officers, including Cryptologic Warfare (CW) and Information Professional (IP) specialists, to fill cyber-related billets within the cyber operations forces. With the establishment of the Reserve MCWO specialty, Reserve officers can build focused expertise, deepening the Navy’s bench of cyber talent.
“Reserve Maritime Cyber Warfare Officers bolster U.S. Navy Reserve Information Warfare Community (IWC) cyber capabilities, ensuring the Navy maintains a decisive edge in modern warfare,” said Rear Adm. Gregory Emery, Commander, Naval Information Force Reserve. “Their specialized skill sets enable us to confront emerging threats and strengthen our strategic advantage.”
To meet the growing complexity of the cyber domain, the Navy Reserve’s MCWO and CWT communities continue to refine their training pipelines and development programs. CWTs and MCWOs, working alongside other IW professionals, are advancing in proficiency and readiness. The Reserve component aligns closely with supported commands, predominantly contributing to cyberspace planning and defense activities—ensuring cyber warfare is a core element of warfare planning and execution.
“The seamless integration of Reserve Sailors into active-duty missions is critical to our success,” said Capt. Daniel Krowe, Reserve Maritime Cyber Warfare Community Lead. “Readiness is essential to operationalizing our Reserve IW Sailors and amplifying their effectiveness.”
Cyber operations play an indispensable role at the OLW. Sailors within the IWC must be both technically skilled and strategically minded, recognizing that cyberspace is a domain where state and non-state actors pose significant threats to U.S. interests. Effective cyber operations require both technical expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment and implications of each action.
“Repeated and intentional application of OLW concepts during exercises and training will strengthen Reserve Component MCWO and CWT expertise,” Capt. Krowe continued. “This iterative approach ensures our Sailors maintain a decisive warfighting edge.”
Training exercises, particularly those simulating realistic cyber threats, play a pivotal role in readying Sailors for complex, contested environments. Through events like the MAKO series—annual Reserve OLW Maritime Operation Center (MOC) training—CWT and MCWO personnel refine their skills on simulated watch floors. These scenarios mirror real-world challenges, enabling Reserve Sailors to improve coordination, decision-making, and the delivery of cyber capabilities alongside their active-duty counterparts.
The Navy’s investment in cyber operations reflects a broader acknowledgment of cyberspace as a decisive warfare domain. By cultivating and deploying highly trained CWTs and MCWOs, the Navy ensures it can project influence, defend critical infrastructure, and maintain forward presence in both traditional and digital arenas.
“As we focus on current and future security landscapes, our ability to operate effectively in cyberspace will be a decisive factor in future maritime operations and conflicts,” said Rear Adm. Emery. “Our commitment to mastering cyber operations at the OLW is both a tactical necessity and a strategic imperative.”
In an era where digital networks underpin combat systems, communications, and logistics, the Navy’s integration of cyber capabilities into OLW activities is essential for mission success. Through the dedication and readiness of its Reserve cyber professionals, the Navy will sustain operational superiority in every domain.
As global tensions escalate and adversaries sharpen their cyber tactics, the Navy’s emphasis on cultivating a robust cyber security Reserve Force underscores its resolve. By strengthening the training, expertise, and operational readiness of CWTs and MCWOs, the Navy Reserve is poised to maintain its formidable presence and protect U.S. interests across the physical and digital battlespaces.
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.