Cmdr. Christian A. Rivera, a native of Grand Prairie, Texas, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in English. He holds a Master of Military Operational Art and Science with a joint warfare concentration from the U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College.

His sea tours include division officer on USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) in San Diego, California, where he completed a Western Pacific deployment, an Arabian Gulf deployment and one dry-docking availability. During this assignment, Rivera’s ship earned the Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 11 battle efficiency (Battle “E”) award in 2006 and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. He served as department head on USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) in Bangor, Washington, where he served as the weapon’s officer. During this assignment, the USS Jimmy Carter team was twice recognized with the Battle “E” and the Navy Unit Commendation.

His shore tours include naval science instructor for the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at the University of Texas in Austin; lead operational planner for Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and squadron executive officer for COMSUBRON 15 in Piti, Guam; officer in charge for Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific (NAVSUBTRACENPAC) detachment Guam, leading a team of instructors who earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation for their efforts during operations COVID Revive and COVID Defeat; and deputy for the floating dry dock Arco (ARDM 5) and Undersea Rescue Command (URC), Submarine Squadron 11 in San Diego.
 
CDR Rivera currently serves as commanding officer for Submarine Training Facility San Diego.
 
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards) and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards).

Last Updated: 30 August 2022