NRC Whidbey Island Sailors demonstrate the new AVD capability

25 January 2023

From Cmdr. Nico Melendez, Navy Reserve Region Readiness and Mobilization Command, Everett

Sailors assigned to Navy Reserve Center (NRC) Whidbey Island used newly installed wireless internet to learn about the Navy Reserve’s new Azure Virtual Desktop capability.   According to Cmdr. Dustin Schraud, commanding officer at NRC Whidbey Island, the recent installation of an upgraded system delivers high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity to Sailors, reaching every corner of the NRC.
Sailors assigned to Navy Reserve Center (NRC) Whidbey Island used newly installed wireless internet to learn about the Navy Reserve’s new Azure Virtual Desktop capability.
 
According to Cmdr. Dustin Schraud, commanding officer at NRC Whidbey Island, the recent installation of an upgraded system delivers high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity to Sailors, reaching every corner of the NRC.

The installation afforded an opportunity for the NRC to try out a new virtual desktop application.

In fall of 2022, the Navy Reserve introduced the Force to the Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), a capability now available to all Navy Reserve Sailors. AVD is a cloud-based environment allowing access to full Navy Marine Corps Internet (NMCI)-like capabilities on one’s personal device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer.
 
During a recent visit to Whidbey Island, Force Capt. Christopher Peppel, Navy Reserve Chief Information Officer, demonstrated the new system to Sailors on the NRC’s new WiFi.

“This is going to change the way you work. It is going to allow you to recoup time, it is going to allow you to be more effective, and it is going to allow you to better prepare for drill weekends. This capability is available to you now, and all you have to do is sign up at the link below,” Peppel said, in a video posted to DVIDS Nov. 27.
 
“This [new capability] was a hidden gem that was unknown to a lot of us, until Captain Peppel came to the NRC and demonstrated it. We were blown away and instantly hooked,” Schraud said. “When he showed us what we can do, I instantly had faster and more assets, because I could tap into my own resources. We are in a secure Flank Speed environment, but we can use our own devices without the frustration of needing a CAC-reader or to be on an [NMCI device].”
 
The NRC Sailors were excited to learn about and use AVD.
 
“I only have access to an NMCI machine once a month during drill weekends,” said Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Brittney James, who recently left active duty and transitioned to the Navy Reserve. “Access provided through the virtual desktop makes my Navy career much easier.”
 
According to Peppel, AVD is a cloud-based environment approved for all levels of Controlled Unclassified Information (PII, PHI, etc.). It passes through the camera, microphone and CAC-reader of any of one’s personal devices, be it desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phone, and will allow you to have full NMCI-like capabilities on your personal device – encryption, decryption, digital signatures, and saving to and downloading from your OneDrive that synchronizes with your NMCI device.

For more on AVD, view the video here:
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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