Commander Christian Rivera

Commanding Officer, Undersea Rescue Command

A native of Grand Prairie, Texas, Cmdr. Rivera graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in English. He later earned a Master of Military Operational Art and Science with a Joint Warfare Concentration from the United States Air Force Command and Staff College.

His Division Officer tour was aboard 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 his tenure, the ship earned the Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) ELEVEN Battle Efficiency “E” Award in 2006 and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Cmdr. Rivera’s Department Head tour was aboard USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) in Bangor, Washington, where he served as the Weapons Officer. In this role he led a team comprised of submariners and other technical cadres to accomplish operations that were critically important to expanding the technical landscape of submarine operations. During his tenure, 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 University of Texas at Austin, Lead Operational Planner for Commander Submariner Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Squadron Executive Officer for COMSUBRON FIFTEEN in Piti, Guam, Officer in Charge for Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific Detachment Guam, and COMSUBRON ELEVEN Deputy for Undersea Rescue and ARCO, in San Diego, California. His most recent tour was as the commanding officer for Submarine Training Facility San Diego.

His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards) and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three Awards).