Lieutenant Colonel Dillon graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1991 and was commissioned via the NROTC program. He was assigned as a Communications Officer at the completion of The Basic School and subsequently reported to Basic Communications Officer Course.
In 1992, he reported to 7th Communication Battalion in Okinawa, Japan where he served as Multi-channel Platoon Commander, Alpha Company. He reported to the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) in 1993 and assumed duties as the Officer in Charge, Marine Communications Detachment. During this tour he was temporarily assigned as the S-6A, 15th MEU(SOC).
He reported to the 1st Marine Division in 1995 and served tours as: S6, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion; Operations Officer, Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion; S6, 5th Marine Regiment.
In 1998 he transferred to Quantico and attended the Command and Control Systems Course where he graduated as an honor student. He was assigned to Marine Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) in 1999 and assumed responsibilities as the Assistant Operations Officer, Central Command Desk, G6.
In 2002, he deployed to Bahrain as the G6 Operations Officer, Marine Forces Central Command (MARCENT) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In the summer of 2002, he transferred to Amphibious Group Three, headquartered in San Diego, California. He served as the Officer in Charge of the Marine Communications Detachment.
In 2003 he deployed to Bahrain in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as the Task Force 51 (Amphibious Task Force) liaison officer to 5th Fleet (Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander).
In 2004, he moved to Tokyo, Japan and assumed duties in the J6 of U.S. Forces Japan, headquartered at Yokota Air Base. He concluded his tour in 2007 as the branch chief of J62, Operations, Exercises, and Plans. In July, 2007, he was directed to report to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing for duties as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G6.
1stSgt Francisco Rivera Jr enlisted in the Marine Corps on November 3, 1987 and attended Basic Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon completion of Basic Training, Lance Corporal Rivera attended the Unit Diary Clerk Course at Camp Pendleton, California for MOS training.
In June of 1988, LCpl Rivera reported for duty with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California. While serving as a Unit Diary Clerk with 3/9, LCpl Rivera deployed to Okinawa, Japan; Bridgeport, California; Soto Cano AB, Honduras; 29 Palms, California; participated in Team Spirit ’89, Republic of South Korea; and Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
In June 1991, Cpl Rivera was transferred to Inspector-Instructor Staff, 1st Military Police Company, 4th FSSG in Lexington, Kentucky where he served on the I&I Staff as the Unit Diary/SRB and Legal clerk. During this tour, Cpl Rivera attended the Senior Clerk Course and Independent Duty Admin Course in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In March 1994, Sgt Rivera was transferred to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT-101) Fleet Replacement Enlisted Skills Training (FREST), MCAS El Toro, Irvine, California, where he served as the Admin Chief for the Aviation Ordnance and C-130 Aviation Maintenance schools.
In July 1996, Sgt Rivera attended Drill Instructor School (Class 4-96) at MCRD, San Diego, California. Upon completion, he was assigned as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor with Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion. During this tour, he also served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor with the Physical Conditioning Platoon and the Medical Rehabilitation Platoon, Support Training Battalion.
In December 1998, SSgt Rivera was transferred to Company G, Marine Support Battalion, Menwith Hill Station, United Kingdom, to serve as the Administration Chief. During this tour, SSgt Rivera attended the Advance Personnel Administration Course at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
In July 2001, SSgt Rivera reported to MCRD, San Diego, California for a second tour of duty as a Drill Instructor. During this tour, SSgt Rivera was assigned as a Senior Drill Instructor and Series Chief Drill Instructor with Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment. During this tour, SSgt Rivera also served as the 12th Marine Corps District Drill Instructor Liaison, attending Poolee functions and inspecting MCJROTC units in the states of California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii and the country of Japan.
In October 2004, GySgt Rivera was assigned to 1st Radio Battalion, I MHG, I MEF, Camp Pendleton, California where he served as the Adjutant and Administration Chief for the newly designated battalion. During this tour he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq as the Admin Chief and SNCOIC of the Combat Service Support Operations Center (CSSOC) from Jan ’06 – Aug ’06 and again from Jan ’07 – May ’07. After attending resident PME in July of 2007 at Camp Pendleton, California, GySgt Rivera was reassigned to the I MHG Adjutant’s Office where he served as the Adjutant Chief until he was promoted to 1stSgt in December 2007.
In January 2008, 1stSgt Rivera was transferred to 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California where he served two months as Weapons Company 1stSgt before being transferred to 3d Radio Battalion, III MHG, III MEF, Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
1stSgt Rivera reported to 3d Radio Battalion in April 2008 and over the next two and a half years, he served as Company 1stSgt for Alpha, Bravo and Headquarters and Service Companies. During his assignment to 3d Radio Battalion he completed a 10 month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Camp Leatherneck, Helmand Province, Afghanistan where he served as the Detachment 1stSgt.
In February 2011, 1stSgt Rivera was transferred to Region 1, Marine Corps Embassy Security Group in Frankfurt, Germany where he is currently serving as the Region 1stSgt.