LTC Monica I. Rivera
LTC Monica I. Rivera is a native of Brownsville, TX. She received her Bachelor of Science in Criminology from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2008. LTC Rivera was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps as a Signal Officer, branch detailed as a Chemical Officer in 2008. In August of 2011, she was branch transferred into the Chemical Corps. In 2013, she earned her Masters of Arts and Science in Environmental Management from Webster University. Currently, she is five classes away from completing her second Master’s Degree in Homeland Security from the American Military University.
LTC Rivera’s previous assignments include Battalion Chemical Officer for 2-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 69th Air Defense Brigade Fort Cavazos, TX and 35th Air Defense Brigade Camp Carroll, Korea. Executive Officer for the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 48th Chemical Brigade Cavazos, TX. Company Commander for the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 48th Chemical Brigade Fort Cavazos, TX. Battle Captain for the Current Operations Center, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Shafter, HI. Battalion S3 Operations Officer for the 8th Special Troops Battalion, Fort Shafter, HI. Commanders Initiative Group Officer in Charge of the Regional Leader Development Program - Pacific for the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Shafter, HI. Current Operations Chief for the Combined Forces Command for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Combined Joint Interagency Coordination Group-Korea, United States Forces Korea. Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosives Deputy Division Chief and Planner for 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, TX. Department of Instruction Chief, United States Army CBRN School - Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Battalion Executive Officer, 3-10 Infantry Regiment, 3rd Chemical Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Brigade S3, 3rd Chemical Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Chemical Defense Training Facility Operations Chief, Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Response Enterprise Deputy, U.S. Army North, Fort Sam Houston, TX. Protection – Operations Chief and Senior Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Advisor U.S. Army North, Fort Sam Houston, TX.
LTC Rivera’s military schools include Chemical Basic Officers Leaders Course, Training and Simulation Officers Course, Joint Consequence Management Defense Course, Defense Support of Civil Authorities Course, Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies - Asia Pacific Orientation Course, Chemical Captains Career Course, Joint Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Plans Course, Theater Army Staff Course, Strategic Studies Graduate, Strategic Broadening Seminar - United Kingdom Defence Academy, Command and General Staff Officers’ Course at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation.
LTC Rivera’s awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and Overseas Service Ribbon with number two.