In the Navy, Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention isn't just a month; it's a movement. This April marks the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM). Officially established in 2001, the month's purpose is to raise awareness and facilitate the prevention of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. The Department of Defense (DoD) has themed this year's SAAPM as "Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission." As a Navy, the month-long focus on awareness will kick off a year-round effort of prevention with a theme of "Respect. Protect. Empower." "Just one incident of sexual assault or harassment is one too many, so this really is an All-Hands effort," said Rear Adm. Putnam H. Browne, director of the Navy's 21st Century Sailor Office. "Every level of leadership has a duty to promote a command climate of dignity and respect. and has a responsibility for cultivating an atmosphere of trust and professionalism. But it all starts with treating everyone with dignity and respect,” said Browne.
“Commands should never tolerate sexual harassment, assault, or retaliatory behavior. Victims need to have confidence in the system and know they can report these behaviors because perpetrators are held accountable for their actions." As the Navy changes from a culture of compliance to one of excellence, the 10 signature behaviors of great leaders and shipmates will fuel this culture, Browne added. "When adopted and used in our daily lives, these behaviors positively contribute to an improved well-being, greater connectedness and increased toughness, trust and resilience," he said. "A community that adopts these signature behaviors is engaging in the prevention of sexual violence." This month and beyond, the Navy's leadership is challenging all Sailors and Navy civilians to concentrate on three specific behaviors as a starting point in this call to action: • At all times, commit to treating others with respect. • Protect one another from harm and retaliation through active intervention. • Empower those around you to speak up or intervene. To rid the ranks of destructive behaviors, officials say all members of the Navy team must report sexual harassment and assault and work to connect victims with needed care and support. “Sexual assault and harassment should never be tolerated, condoned or ignored,” said Browne. “We need to promote a culture of respect and protect our shipmates, empowering them to seek assistance and support if they are sexually harassed or sexually assaulted.” Officials say all Sailors should challenge inappropriate comments and behaviors directed towards their shipmates and speak up as a show of support to discourage physical and mental abuse. The Navy has an established support structure for victims of sexual assault so they can report incidents and get the help they need. This includes networks of Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs), Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates (SAPR VAs) and Unit SAPR VAs. These specially trained individuals help victims obtain services and offer trauma-informed care, referrals and ongoing non-clinical support. Special Victims' Counsel (SVC) and Victims' Legal Counsel (VLC) provide victims with legal representation, support in exercising their legal rights, and other assistance while navigating the military justice system. The DoD Safe Helpline is also available 24/7 to assist victims with the reporting process and next steps after a sexual assault. Sailors impacted by sexual harassment or assault can call (877)995-5247 or (202)540-5962 to reach a trained, confidential, Safe Helpline staff member. DSN users can call (877)995-5247. OCONUS Service members can contact the Telephone Helpline for free from anywhere globally by using Voice over IP (VoIP) technology from the Safe Helpline App. For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/usnpeople, Twitter at https://twitter.com/usnpeople or visit https://www.navy.mil/cnp.
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.