Master Chief Petty Officer Rivers hails from Pensacola, Florida. He graduated with honors from Booker T. Washington High School in May of 1994 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1994. Upon completion of Recruit Training, he attended Seaman Apprentice Training in Great Lakes, Illinois. In 1995, Master Chief Rivers began his career as an undesignated Seaman Recruit onboard USS SUPPLY (AOE 6) in Norfolk, Virginia and eventually converted to the Ships Serviceman rate in 1996. During this tour, he earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin, and advanced to Petty Officer Second Class.

In November 1999, Master Chief Rivers transferred to Fleet Training Center Norfolk, where he was a Ships Serviceman “C” School instructor for Resale Operations Management and Barber curriculum. While assigned to Fleet Training Center Norfolk, he was hand-selected to create and teach the first Resale Operations Management II curriculum. During this tour, he was selected as FTC Norfolk 2002 Instructor of the Year, certified as a Master Training Specialist, and advanced to Petty Officer First Class.

His next sea tour was on board USS HAYLER (DD 997), in Norfolk, Virginia. While onboard, he deployed to the 4th Fleet to conduct Counter Drug Operations, and was part of the decommissioning crew. From August 2003 to January 2007, he was stationed onboard USS THE SULLIVANS (DDG 68) in Mayport, Florida. Under his guidance, the Sales and Service Division was awarded the prestigious 2005 “Best of Class” and two consecutive “Ships Store Excellence” awards. During this tour, he was advanced to Chief Petty Officer. In February 2007, Master Chief Rivers reported to Navy Supply Corps School Athens, Georgia as a Supply Corps Basic Qualification Course instructor. He was directly responsible for the training, mentorship, and subsequent graduation of 620 Naval Officers. During his tour of duty, Master Chief Rivers was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer, selected as Navy Supply Corps School 2008 Instructor of the Year, and awarded the U.S. NAVY 2008 Senior Enlisted Instructor of the Year for Center for Service Support.

In July 2010, Master Chief Rivers reported to USS IWO JIMA (LHD 7). His duties included: Division Chief and Sales Officer. His leadership was instrumental in USS IWO JIMA winning 2011 “Ships Store Excellence” award. During this tour Master Chief Rivers applied for and was selected into the Command Senior Chief program in February 2012. In March of 2013, Master Chief Rivers was hand selected by US FLEET FORCE Master Chief Clark to join the Fleet CPO Training team as a facilitator. He was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer in May 2013. In December 2013, Master Chief Rivers became the third Command Master Chief on board USS JASON DUNHAM (DDG 109). While onboard Jason Dunham, he established the highest standards of excellence and produced exceptional results culminating in 2015 Battle E, 2015 Unit Tactics Award, two consecutive Retention Excellence awards, and the ships first opportunity to fly the Enlisted Surface Warfare Pennant.

His military education includes Ships Serviceman “C” schools, and multiple shipboard damage control firefighting, and Naval Leadership Courses. He is an honor graduate of the Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 153 Grey), and the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course (Class #112). He holds a Masters in Business Administration from Troy University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University. Master Chief Rivers’ awards and decorations include the Navy Commendation Medals (4 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals (8 awards), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and numerous individual, campaign, and unit awards.