Sergeant Major Harry E. Rivera

Sergeant Major, Combat Logistics Regiment 17

Sergeant Major Harry E. Rivera entered service from Brooklyn, New York, and attended Boot Camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot during the fall of 1982.

His first FMF duty assignment was with Marine Barracks Republic of Panama; he served within its Security Forces Detachment. Transferring to Marine Corps Logistics Base, Barstow in May 1985, he supported strategic logistical interests. He was selected for Drill Instructor Duty, completed school in December 1986, and was assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion where he successfully trained ten platoons and was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant.

In September of 1989, he was laterally moved to the intelligence field and assigned duties as an analyst and interrogator with II Marine Expeditionary Force, G-2, All Source Fusion Center. With specialized emphasis on South America and counter narcotics operations. In this capacity, he participated in Operation Just Cause and attached to the US Southern Command J-2 Directorate.

Following the Iraqi invasion into Kuwait, Sergeant Major Rivera deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and supported the collection and management of intelligence requirements and reconnaissance assets. Upon conclusion of hostilities, he was then transferred to III Marine Expeditionary Force and served as an analyst focused upon the Korean Peninsula and Spratly Islands. He was reassigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force, G-2, between July, 1993 and 1995, serving as a member of its crisis action team with continued focus on the Pacific Rim.

During September, 1995, Sergeant Major Rivera was transferred to Marine Forces South, serving as the G-2 Intelligence Chief, with the principal emphasis toward supporting counter-drug training evolutions and evaluations within South America and the Caribbean. He further served as a member of the Panama Canal Treaties task force during the return of US bases and removal of forces from Panama 1997-1998.

Promoted to First Sergeant in April, 1998, Sergeant Major Rivera assumed duties with I&I staff of 1st Battalion 25th Marines Cape Cod, Massachusetts until June, 2000, when he was transferred to H&S Company, Marine Forces Pacific, and deployed to Bahrain as the acting Sergeant Major for H&S Battalion, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Promoted to Sergeant Major in May 2003, Sergeant Major was transferred to Recruiting Station San Francisco, California where he served until February 2006.

In February, 2006, he was reassigned and immediately deployed with the 1st Intelligence Battalion in support of OIF 05-07.1. Upon return, he was reassigned to the 9th Communication Battalion in March of 2007. He deployed with 9th Communication Battalion in Jan 2008 until September 2008 in support of OIF 8. In October 2008 he was reassigned to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego Ca until April 2010. In April 2010 he was reassigned to his current unit Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Camp Pendleton Ca.

Personal awards include the, Meritorious Service Medal with gold stars in lieu of third award, Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement, Combat Action Ribbon.