CDR William Rivers

Executive Officer, USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) Gold Crew

20 August 2025 A Fredericksburg, Virginia native, Commander William M. Rivers earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Investigation from West Virginia University in 2005. He then served as a proposal manager in the private sector, providing information technology and logistic solutions to a wide variety of state and federal government agencies. Prior to commissioning through Officer Candidate School in May 2009, he earned his Masters of Business Administration Degree with an emphasis in Contracts and Procurement from the University of Mary Washington. Commander Rivers also holds a Master’s Degree in National Defense and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.

Afloat, Commander Rivers served as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and Force Protection Officer aboard USS Princeton (CG 59), Operations Officer aboard MCM Crew Constant embarked in USS Ardent (MCM 12) and USS Champion (MCM 4), and as the Combat Systems Officer fleeting up to the Operations Officer aboard USS Gabrielle (LCS 10) Blue Crew.

Ashore Commander Rivers served as an instructor and the Assistant Officer in Charge for the Basic Division Officer Course at Surface Warfare Officer School Learning Site San Diego and at Commander Naval Surface Forces, Pacific as the N48 LCS Readiness Officer and Class Advocate. He is currently assigned as Executive Officer to USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) Gold Crew.

His personal awards include four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and a Navy Achievement Medal.