CNR Message to Celebrate Navy’s 246th Birthday

13 October 2021

From Commander, Navy Reserve Force Public Affairs

October 13, 2021 will mark the Navy's 246th Birthday. The central theme of this year’s 246th Navy Birthday and Heritage week is “Resilient and Ready”, which speaks to the Navy’s history of being able to shake off disaster, such as the loss of a ship or a global pandemic, and still maintain force lethality and preparedness. It allows the messaging to showcase readiness, capabilities, capacity, and of course the Sailor—all while celebrating our glorious victories at sea and honoring our shipmates who stand and have stood the watch.
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VIDEO | 02:05 | CNR Message to Celebrate Navy’s 246th Birthday

Greeting’s shipmates.  I’m Vice Adm. John Mustin, Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force. 

Today, we are celebrating the 246th birthday of our great Navy.  That’s 246 years of naval heritage. 246 years standing the watch so others can the enjoy the liberties you protect. 246 years of honor, courage and commitment and over a century as the world’s premier maritime force. 

Happy birthday, shipmates.

You are part of an elite team.   As Reserve Sailors we are proud to draw on the history, culture and character of our naval service and yet we are a unique “team within a team.”
This year’s birthday theme is “resilient and ready.”  Over our Navy Reserve 106-year history, our force has proven itself both resilient and ready countless times.
Our Navy Reserve Sailors have defended our nation and allies in every major conflict since 1915 and they continue to do so, as you’ve seen in the recent surge of Sailors providing critical medical care in response to COVID-19…and those who supported the evacuation of Americans, allies and partners from Afghanistan.

Our Reserve force is ready now.  Warfighting ready.

We’ve demonstrated our resiliency as a team, and as individuals, through the crucible of conflict, regionally and globally.  We’ve experienced tragic losses, but our resiliency perseveres. We’ve shown the world that we can take a hit and will come back stronger, more committed and equipped to get through the tests we may face tomorrow. 
We are aggressively modernizing our Reserve force to address today’s global environment, one where our long-standing competitive advantage at sea, and in other domains, is threatened by provocative behavior by state actors.  We are building new capabilities and shifting capacity in our force to meet the needs of long-term strategic competition. And I know I can count on your flexibility and resiliency to ensure your readiness, on day one when, and if, the nation needs you. 

So, on this very special day, remember the rich heritage we share. 

Remember why you joined our great Navy. Remember that your work is important and valued, and always remain resilient and ready. 

Happy birthday, shipmates!  Let’s light those candles. And let’s get busy.
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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