Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 Sergeant Major
Sgt. Maj. Hector A. Rivera
Sergeant Major Rivera attended recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in April 2001. Upon graduation, he completed Motor Transport School in Fort Leonard Wood, MO and was assigned the military occupational specialty of 3531.
From September 2001 to December 2003, He was assigned to 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, at Camp Lejeune, NC for duty as Motor Transport Operator. During this assignment, he served as medium section line Non-Commissioned Officer and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from February 2003 to July 2003. During this time, he was selected as the Marine of the Year for 2d Marine Division (Year 2002) and was promoted meritoriously to the ranks of Lance Corporal, Corporal, and Sergeant.
In December 2003, Sergeant Rivera received orders to 3d Marine Division Headquarters Battalion, Okinawa Japan. During this tour, he attended Sergeants Course and was a distinguished graduate.
In January 2005, Sergeant Rivera requested and received orders to Drill Instructor School San Diego, CA. Upon graduation, Sergeant Rivera was assigned to Co Kilo, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion (3RTB). He served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Series Chief Drill Instructor for a total of nine of cycles. He was selected Drill Instructor of the Quarter for 3RTB (Fourth Quarter, Year 2006). He was also meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on 2 January 2007.
In April 2008, Staff Sergeant Rivera was transferred to 2d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment (V21), at Camp Pendleton CA. He served as Motor Transport Chief and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from January 2009 to August 2009 and to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from October 2010 to May 2011.
In June 2011 Staff Sergeant Rivera reported to Combat Logistics Battalion-5, at Camp Pendleton, CA. He served as Company Gunnery Sergeant for Company A and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from March 2012 to August 2012. During this tour, he served as the senior enlisted adviser to an 0-5 level commander during the preparation and execution of the USS Anchorage commissioning voyage. He was selected from the below zone and promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant on 1 November 2011.
In June 2014, Gunnery Sergeant Rivera was ordered to 3d Marine Division, Headquarter Battalion Okinawa, Japan where he served as the Operations Chief for Truck Company. He was promoted (FROCKED) to the rank of First Sergeant on 26 February 2015.
In March 2015, First Sergeant Rivera reported to 9th Engineer Support Battalion (9th ESB), at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. He served as Company First Sergeant for Engineer Company B. While assigned to 9th ESB he deployed to South Korea twice, in support of Korean Marine Exchange Program 15 and 16.
In May 2016, 1stSgt Rivera reported to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, at Camp Pendleton CA. He served as Company First Sergeant for the Maritime Raid Force (MRF), Company A, Company B, and the Force Reconnaissance Company. As the MRF’s First Sergeant, he deployed with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of Western Pacific Deployment 16-2 from October 2016 to May 2017. He was promoted (FROCKED) to the rank of Sergeant Major on 9 March 2020.
In March 2020, SgtMaj Rivera reported to 2d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment (V21) and served as the Battalion Sergeant Major. He deployed with V21 to the Central Command area of responsibility as the Ground Combat Element for the SPMAGTF-CR-CC 21.2. in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE and ALLIES REFUGE. He participated in the Noncombatant Evacuation Operations at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
In March 2022 Sergeant Major Rivera reported to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Okinawa, Japan where he currently serves as the Squadron Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Rivera’s personal awards include (6) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, (2) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and the Combat Action Ribbon.