Army Instructor

Army Instructor (SAI)   

Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Edwin A. Rivera Rivera

    Command Sergeant Major Edwin A. Rivera Rivera was born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. He enlisted in the United States Army in June 1990 and attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) as a Tank Crewman (19K) at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Throughout his distinguished career, CSM Rivera served with the 2nd Armored Division (Forward), Germany; 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; Alpha Company, 2-81st Armor, Fort Knox, Kentucky; 1/11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, California; Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT), 2/16th Cavalry, Fort Knox, Kentucky; 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado; and HHT, 4/10th U.S. Cavalry Squadron “Buffalo Soldiers,” Fort Carson, Colorado. He is also a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 61, Fort Bliss, Texas.

CSM Rivera deployed in support of multiple combat operations, completing three combat tours, including Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm (Liberation of Kuwait), Operation Iraqi Freedom III, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He additionally served as the Sergeant Major for the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Paktika, Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan.

His leadership assignments span every level of enlisted responsibility and include Driver, Loader, Gunner, Tank Commander, Assistant Operations NCO, Observer Controller/Trainer, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Military Transition Team NCO, Basic Officer Leaders Course III Instructor, First Sergeant, G-5 Future Operations Sergeant Major, Provincial Reconstruction Team Sergeant Major, Squadron Command Sergeant Major, and Brigade Rear Detachment Command Sergeant Major.

CSM Rivera’s military education includes the Warrior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, Battle Staff Course, Drill Sergeant School, Observer Controller/Trainer Course, Basic Instructor Course, First Sergeant Course, Sergeants Major Resident Course (Class 61), the Command Sergeant Major Development Program, and the Battalion Pre-Command Program.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (3rd OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4th OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5th OLC), Navy Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 3, NATO ISAF Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medals (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait), Combat Action Badge, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, German Sports Proficiency Badge (Gold), Expert Marksmanship Badge (Pistol), and the Driver and Mechanic Badge (Track and Wheel).

CSM Rivera holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College. He resides in Palmetto, Florida, with his wife, Anna, an Army veteran. His daughter, Natalia, is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point (Class of 2022) and serves as a Black Hawk pilot. His son, Brendan, is a graduate of Auburn University and a civil engineer.