DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

Major Jackson M. Rivera is the Commandant of Cadets with the New Jersey Youth Challenge Academy

In this Capacity he is responsible for accountability, control, and overall well- being of Cadet corps and supervision of the Cadre Department. The Commandant establishes and maintains the Youth ChalleNGe Academy tradition. Oversees cadet records covering discipline and behavior, community projects, and leadership. Plans, develops, and coordinates training activities for cadets when not participating in academic or counseling scheduled courses. Ensures cadre staff operates in accordance to the Operations SOP, the Academy’s behavior management procedures, and Academy policies & procedures.

Interfaces with guardians on cadet behavior.Back up to Lead Counselor in working family emergencies. Keeps the Director/Deputy informed of all cadet discipline issues. Retired Major Rivera entered the New Jersey National Guard with the rank of Private assigned to the Human Resources section of the 2/113th Infantry Battalion, 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Eventually he was promoted to Specialist and then Sergeant. After serving some time as a Non Commissioned Officer he was afforded the opportunity to attend Officer Candidate School. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain and finally to Major from which he retired from the U.S Army. During his tenure he served as a Non Commissioned Officer in charge of a Human Resources section; Platoon leader, Executive Officer, Acting Company Commander and Officer in charge of a Military Police Detachment; Two times Commander of a Logistics Company; Battalion Operations Officer, Battalion Training Officer, Battalion Logistics Officer; State Supply and Services Deputy Officer, State Logistics Plans and Policy Officer and State Property Management Branch Chief. The highlights of his career were the opportunities to deploy for Combat tours in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

Civilian EducationThomas Edison State College Master of Science, Human Resources.New Jersey City University Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Security Administration. New Jersey Institute of Technology Certificate, Project Management Professional.

BIOGRAPHY MAJ JACKSON RIVERA

Military Education United States Army Basic Training - United States Army Advanced Individual Training - Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) - Officer Candidate School (OCS) - Military Police Officer Basic Course (MPOBC) - Multifunction Logistics Officer Course - Quarter Master Commander Career Course - Contracting Officer Representative Course - Acquisition Ethics Course - Protective Service Course - Antiterrorism Evasive Driving Course - Staff Driver (PSD) - Police Transition Team Course (PTT) - Antiterrorism level I and II Courses - Commander’s Safety Course - Combat Lifesaver Course (CLS) - Company Level Command Team Course - Company Commander’s Course - Suicide Intervention Specialist Course - Supply and Management Officer Course - Property Book Officer Course - Training Officer Course - Operations Officer Course - Human Resources Specialist Course.

Combat Deployments Apr 04 Apr 05 G1 Human Resources Sergeant, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Jun 08 May 09 Operations Officer (Lieutenant), 744th Military Police Guard Battalion, Operation IRAQ FREEDOM, Baghdad, Iraq. Jan 11 Jan 12 Supply and Services Activity OIC, 119th Combat Service Support Battalion, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Bagram, Afghanistan.

NATO Decorations International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Operation Service Medal

US Decorations Bronze Star Medal - Joint Service Commendation Medal - Army Commendation Medal (5) - Joint Service Achievement Medal - Army Good Conduct Medal - National DefenseService Medal - Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ two Campaign Stars - Global War onTerrorism Expeditionary Medal - Global War on Terrorism Service Medal - IraqCampaign Medal with Campaign Star - Non-Commissioned Officer - ProfessionalDevelopment Ribbon - Army Service Ribbon - Overseas Service Ribbon- 3rd award -Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Mobilization Device-2nd award

New Jersey Decorations Distinguished Service Medal (2) - Humanitarian Service Medal - State Service Medal

Related Credentials National Security Clearance – Secret New Jersey Department of Education ESL Certificate of Eligibility ACTFL English Rating Superior New Jersey Private Investigator License United States Army Native Spanish speaker with excellent reading and writing skills.