About this Unit
Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (COMNAVRESFORCOM), headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, serves as the operational and administrative command for the United States Navy Reserve. Established in its current form in 1993, the command oversees the training, mobilization, and integration of Navy Reserve forces to support the Navy’s global missions. COMNAVRESFORCOM ensures that Reserve personnel and units are ready to deploy alongside active duty forces, providing critical capabilities in times of conflict, crisis, or national emergency. Over the years, the command has played a key role in supporting operations such as Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and various humanitarian missions worldwide.
Historical Facts
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Origins and Activation: Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (COMNAVRESFORCOM), headquartered in New Orleans, was established to provide command and control over all Navy Reserve Forces.
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Post-WWII Roots: The Navy's organized reserve program, which would eventually become COMNAVRESFORCOM, was dramatically expanded after World War II, leveraging the experience of millions of returning veterans.
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Relocation to New Orleans: In 1973, the Navy Reserve command headquarters was moved from Washington, DC, to New Orleans, establishing a significant naval presence in the city.
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Hurricane Katrina Response: During and after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, COMNAVRESFORCOM was instrumental in coordinating Navy Reserve support for relief and recovery operations, despite suffering damage to its own facilities.
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Command Structure: COMNAVRESFORCOM is responsible for administrative and operational control of Navy Reserve units nationwide, overseeing approximately 100,000 Reservists and 2,500 civilians.
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Integration with Active Duty: The command plays a central role in the integration of Reserve Sailors into active duty missions, including overseas deployments and homeland security operations.
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Support for Major Operations: Navy Reservists under COMNAVRESFORCOM have supported every major U.S. military operation since its inception, including Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom.
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Historic Buildings: The headquarters in New Orleans is housed in the historic Federal City complex, which once served as the U.S. Naval Support Activity New Orleans.
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Technological Innovations: The command has pioneered several innovations in remote training and readiness management, allowing Reservists across the country to efficiently prepare for mobilization.
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Community Engagement: COMNAVRESFORCOM is known for its robust community outreach in New Orleans, including partnerships with local schools, disaster response agencies, and veteran organizations.
