These are the qualities Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Grebb routinely relies on in his civilian career as both a mixed martial arts fighter and trainer. Grebb credits both his military training as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) and his time in the fleet for laying the keel that serves as the foundation of his martial arts career.
Grebb’s passion for martial arts opened the door to his Navy journey. While competing as a teenager, he found himself at an event where the USNA karate team was also competing. After seeing them in action, he was inspired to pursue a career in the Navy.
“The Sailor's Creed talks about a ‘fighting spirit,’” said Grebb. “I believe that ‘spirit’ refers to the underlying willingness to take risk and make sacrifices for what you believe in. The ‘fight’ can come in many different forms. Our Sailors at the tip of the spear exemplify that fighting spirit every day.”
According to Grebb, the continuing benefits of a martial arts practice extend far beyond just fitness and self-confidence.
“It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to train successfully,” said Grebb. “The sport will teach you something about yourself.”
While at the academy, Grebb served as the USNA karate team captain for two years. He continued to train in different disciplines while on active duty before transitioning to the Reserve. Along the way, he’s fought as a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and now co-owns two martial arts and fitness facilities where he teaches Brazilian jiu jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, MMA and fitness classes.
Over the years, Grebb has shared his skills while teaching other Sailors during self defense and combat tactics classes. He’s also taught self-defense techniques to members of the Army, Secret Service and various law enforcement agencies.
Most notably, Grebb and his training partners recently served on the coaching staff of the USNA Brazilian jiu jitsu team, bringing his Navy martial arts journey full circle.
“My approach to MMA both as a former fighter and now, as a coach, is very clear.” said Grebb. “We want to win, and do so as efficiently and safely as possible.”
Grebb identified parallels between the goals of the Navy Reserve and the in-the-ring objectives of his civilian career, placing an emphasis on focus, determination and elimination of all distractions in the pursuit of mission accomplishment.
“The CNR said in his recent fighting instruction, ‘We are focused unambiguously on warfighting readiness. It is my number one and only priority... period,’” Grebb recited, verbatim. “That is our job, and why the Navy Reserve exists. All else is secondary.”
Grebb reiterated the importance of staying on track and keeping the goal always in sight.
“It is vitally important to keep focus on the objective,” he said. “For those of us in the world of martial arts, all the other ‘stuff’ that surrounds competition — sponsors, fans, money, etc. — is secondary to winning.”
Grebb drills at Navy Operational Support Center Baltimore and credits his flexible drill schedule for allowing him to stay local, grow his business and pursue his lifelong dream of teaching martial arts. He remains committed to serving both his community and his country while passing on techniques to improve discipline, toughness and resilience to both Sailors and civilians alike.
“The knowledge and discipline I’ve gained as a martial arts expert has helped shape my commitment,” he said. “It’s an unwavering honor to serve as an officer in the Navy Reserve.”
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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.