Marine's commitment pays off

By William Cole
Military Affairs Writer

1st Sgt. Harry Rivera was on his way from Hawai'i to Washington, D.C., to be honored as the Marine Corps Times "Marine of the Year" when the rest of the world got the news.

Harris Rivera, first sergeant of Marine Forces Pacific at Camp Smith, was named "Marine of the Year" by the Marine Corps Times. Rivera has served in the corps for 19 years. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Soon after arriving in Washington, the 38-year-old Rivera found he had already received 94 congratulatory e-mails.

"They came from all over the Marine Corps," Rivera said. "People I hadn't seen in years were congratulating me. It was just incredible."

For the Brooklyn native, whose childhood memories are colored by shootings and stabbings that were part of everyday life around the housing projects in which he grew up, the rise to senior enlisted adviser to the company commanding officer at Camp Smith has been a similarly incredible experience, and the type of success he has never taken for granted.

Those who selected Rivera for Marine of the Year say he has been tireless in encouraging fellow Marines to get involved and reach for the same success.

When Rivera arrived in July as first sergeant of Marine Forces Pacific at Camp Smith, Marines there "immediately noticed a change," said Nancy Tucker, director of military market development for Army Times Publishing Co., and who was involved in the selection process. Army Times publishes weekly newspapers for all four branches of the military, including the Marine Corps Times.

"He (Rivera) has a tremendous energy level," Tucker said.

Rivera, who leads about 600 Marines within Headquarters and Service Company, helped make cultural diversity programs like Black History Month standing-room-only events by bringing in members of the Tuskegee Airmen.

During the teachers' strike, Rivera organized day-care options for the children of fellow Marines. He brought the DARE program into classrooms to spread its anti-drug message, and also has pushed Marines to go to night school and apply for officer programs.

One superior noted Rivera "makes every Marine feel good about themselves."

"The more senior I get, it's my job to get them (Marines) in the limelight, to get them as much recognition as I possibly can, because they are serving their country," Rivera said. "It's just what I had growing up and what I have now, I don't take (anything) for granted, and I try to give every Marine the chance to succeed even more."

The "Marine of the Year" recognition program began in January. Rivera was among hundreds of Marines nominated, Tucker said.

Tucker noted Rivera not only has leadership qualities and a commitment to community, but a commitment to family as well, a criterion considered in the selection of an "unsung hero" for the award versus someone recognized via a "chain-of-command award program."

Rivera said he has tried to make "quality time" with his wife, Marianela, and three children, ages 15, 9, and 7, in the absence of "quantity time."

"I've been blessed with a wonderful wife and an outstanding family that allows me to do this," Rivera said.

A Marine for 19 years, Rivera served with Security Forces in Panama in 1983, and was a drill instructor from 1986 to 1988. From 1988 to 1998, he was an intelligence analyst stationed in South America, Japan, Korea and the Middle East.

He saw combat duty in both Panama during Operation Just Cause and in Kuwait during Desert Storm. But it's the role of motivator he relishes most.

"That's my joy. That's what I enjoy about the job," said Rivera, who is eligible for promotion to sergeant major. "I enjoy getting involved in Marines' lives."