Sgt. Joseph C. Rivera graduated from Marine Raider Special Forces training on Friday, Feb. 12.

After 13 months of training, Rivera has become part of a 14-man Raiders Special Operations Team. Marine Raiders execute complex, distributed operations in uncertain environments, achieving silent success and strategic impact. The Marine Raiders' mission is to provide tailored military combat skills and special operations capability in various parts of the world that enable countries to support their governments' internal security and stability, to counter subversion, and to reduce the risk of violence from internal and external threats.

Rivera is a 2014 graduate of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School. He is the son of Terri Rivera, of Hartley.