The Navy Reserve Navy Space Command Headquarters (NR NAVSPACE HQ), located at Fort Meade, Md, reached its one-year anniversary and continues to solidify a professional pathway forward for multi-domain warfighting capabilities with trained Reserve forces who are warfare qualified technical space experts. NR NAVSPACE HQ is a force multiplier by increasing warfighting readiness and aligning Reserve Sailors to engage with the Fleets, as needed, with relevant Space capabilities.
“NR NAVSPACE HQ was established because needed a Reserve Space community to support the Maritime Operation Centers and the COCOMs. One problem with how we've mobilized in the past is that it is based on a specific designator or community," said Capt. Jake Schmitter, Reserve Space Domain Lead. “To avoid losing this required capability, the stand-up of NR NPAVSPACE HQ last year allowed us to organize and align with active-duty space professionals as a managed community that is dedicated to the Space Cells at Martime Operation Commands and the Joint Space fight.”
To effectively work with the U.S. Space Command, a functional combatant command (COCOM), it is vital for Navy warfighters to understand the Space environment and how threats to Space capabilities can degrade their combat systems, and for warfighters to mitigate risk from those threats.
“The establishment of NR NAVSPACE HQ is a powerful demonstration that the Navy is committing to advocacy for its Space capabilities," said Capt. Aaron Klein, former Commanding Officer of NR NAVSPACE HQ. "This pool of warfare qualified space experts provides significant capacity, organizational resiliency and is a fleet enabler.”
The U.S. Space Force was established as the sixth military branch, but it does not eliminate the need for Space professionals across all service branches to support Combatant Commanders nor does it ensure equities for our nation's other warfighting services as they leverage Space-based capabilities. Between the summer of 2018 and the summer of 2020, several military exercises demonstrated that winning against the People's Republic of China required a staff with greater knowledge of the Space environment and capabilities, and the ability to maintain Space superiority. In response to lessons learned, Navy Leadership modified the MOC Standardization Guide to integrate Information Warfare and Space into each of its 10 Fleet MOCs.
“Traditionally, we have looked at one Navy Space Program, encompassing both acquisition and Operations," said Rear Adm. Eric Ruttenberg, Reserve Director of Maritime Operations at U.S. Pacific Fleet, during the first NR NAVSPACE HQ change of command ceremony. "As we continue to build out the structure for Space billets in the MOC…our ability to reach across communities as well as experience will be critical to the success of the Fleet Commander.”
The coordination and alignment of forces to provide Space capabilities did not occur in a vacuum. Standing up NR NAVSPACE HQ has been long in the making.
“Space, along with the other Information Warfare domains, as a warfighting capability has been evolving as a standing requirement for the past several years, and the Navy Reserve is dedicated towards integrating these capabilities to enable the Fleet MOCs,” said Klein.
Now established for more than a year, "NR NAVSPACE HQ is currently focused on two major pieces of Navy Space Command's Missions Functions and Tasks: Serving as the Maritime Component to US Space Command, and providing reach-back space support to the Naval Components and Numbered Fleets,” said Capt. Stephen Melvin, the current Commanding Officer of NR NAVSPACE HQ. As our Active counterparts start filling their roles, we'll be standing right beside them, testing capabilities, writing the doctrine and training plans, and carrying out the mission. Our goal is to set the standard for Active/Reserve Integration."
“If someone has a desire to learn about space operations… we encourage those SELRES to join the Navy Reserve Space Cadre community. The Fleet needs qualified Space Cadre subject matter experts who can advocate for space-based capabilities and apply them to the maritime domain,” said Schmitter. “There are many opportunities to be learn and grow Navy Reserve space operations regardless of designator. The Space Additional Qualification Duty VS5 (AQD VS5) enables Reservists to remain within their designators while gaining operationally important Space domain knowledge, experience, and warfare qualifications.”
NR NAVSPACECOM HQ supports developing, integrating, and conducting full-spectrum space domain operations as the Navy service component to United States Space Command, in concert with coalition, joint, inter-agency, and other partners. COMNAVSPACECOM advocates for the Fleet to obtain space capabilities in support of maritime operations, establishes requirements for training and integration of space capabilities, and provides space planning and operations expertise to the Fleet.
For Reservists interested in becoming Navy Space Cadre, please contact the Navy Reserve Space Cadre Advisor, Cmdr. Eric Rubenstein.
For more information, view: https://private.navyreserve.navy.mil/cnifr/N9/Space_Cadre/Pages/default.aspx
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.