Sergeant Major Rivera attended recruit training in April 2001 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, SC.  Upon graduating from recruit training he attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, NC. He then 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.  During this assignment, he served as the medium section line Noncommissioned Officer and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from February 2003 to July 2003.  During this tour, he was selected as the Marine of the Year for 2d Marine Division (Year 2002) and was meritoriously promoted 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 time, he attended Sergeants Course and was a distinguished graduate.

In January 2005, Sergeant Rivera requested and received orders to Drill Instructor School in 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.  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, 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 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, Headquarters Battalion Okinawa, Japan where he served as the Operations Chief for Truck Company.  

In December 2014 he was selected to the rank of First Sergeant and 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 the 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 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.  

In March 2020, Sergeant Major Rivera reported to 2d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, at Camp Pendleton, CA. He served as the Battalion Sergeant Major and deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE from April 2021 to July 2021 and Afghanistan in support of Operation ALLIES REFUGE in August 2021.

In March 2022 Sergeant Major Rivera reported to Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1 (MWHS-1), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Okinawa, Japan. While assigned to MWHS-1 he deployed to South Korea twice, in support of Exercise Freedom Shield 22 and 23.

In March 2024 Sergeant Major Rivera reported to Combat Logistics Regiment 1 where he currently serves as the Regimental Sergeant Major.

Sergeant Major Rivera graduated magna cum laude from Park University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration degree.  He also holds an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies. Sergeant Major Rivera's personal awards include (6) Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, (2) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and (2) Combat Action Ribbon.