The Chief of Navy Reserve announced the selection of the 16th Navy Reserve Force Master Chief, May 16th.

Commander, Navy Reserve Force Vice Adm. Luke McCollum announced Command Master Chief Christopher D. Kotz will take charge from Force Master Chief CJ Mitchell in October 2017.

"Master Chief Kotz will be a tremendous leader and loyal advocate for all our Sailors. He is a highly qualified, well-rounded professional with multiple sea and shore assignments." said McCollum. "His depth of knowledge, experience, and deck plate leadership will have a positive effect on our Force and future leaders."

Kotz, from North Augusta, South Carolina, currently serves as the command master chief of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North headquartered in New Orleans.

"We are very excited for Master Chief Kotz and his family. He will be an outstanding representative for Navy Reserve Sailors," said Mitchell.

Kotz enlisted in the Navy in February 1991. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command, San Diego, he attended Basic Hospital Corps School, Naval School of Health Sciences, San Diego.

Kotz has completed numerous operational tours to include USS Estocin (FFG 15), USS Samuel Eliot Morison (FFG 13), USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29), LCS Crew 101 in USS Freedom (LCS 1) and USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), and has a combat tour with Task Force Military Police, 1st Battalion, 14th Marines (Reinforced) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In addition, his shore tours include Navy Reserve Center, Tyler, Texas, Branch Medical Clinic Fort Worth, Texas, Navy Reserve Readiness Command South (formerly REDCOM 11), Inspector]Instructor, Company F, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines, and Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE.

He is a graduate from Surface Force Independent Duty Corps School and the Senior Enlisted academy. Kotz currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Ashford University.

As Navy Reserve Force Master Chief, Kotz will be responsible for advising the Chief of Navy Reserve on matters affecting the morale, retention, Sailor development, and general well-being of more than 43,500 enlisted personnel of the Navy Reserve. The Force Master Chief is also charged with ensuring active communications throughout the force, instilling a sense of heritage, and actively promoting Navy core values to all Sailors.

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