Gene Rivers Biography

Gene Rivers

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE EXPERIENCE: After attending meetings at my local El Dorado County Veterans Memorial Building in the late 1990's with various veteran organizations. I was approached by a retired Marine (prior MCL Cmdt.) who mentioned to me about joining the MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, which I had no knowledge of at the that time. I subsequently became a member of the Hangtown Detachment #697 at Placerville, California, where served as Jr. Vice, Sr. Vice, and concluded with my holding the office of Detachment Commandant. In June of 2004, I became Department of California Jr. Vice Commandant, and after serving two terms, was elected Department of California Commandant on June 10, 2006.

Since joining the MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, I have been actively involved in the brotherhood, recruitment, retention of members, interaction (personal contact), and our PROGRAMS with our Detachments and Department Staff in California. It is still my desire to promote a larger MARINE CORPS LEAGUE by being active with those active duty MARINES in our communities within the State of California which strengthens the fabric in those communities through our joint leadership.

BACKGROUND: I was born March 13, 1946, in Amarillo, Texas, but my family moved to California while I was in grade school. I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1963. My primary MOS was a Field Radio Operator, where I served initially with A-1-11 (105 Howitzers) at Camp Pendleton. After volunteering for Vietnam in 1965, I joined with 1st Bn., 5th Marine Regiment at Camp Margarita (Camp Pendleton), and within a couple weeks we went via ship from Long Beach to Pearl Harbor (Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii) to replace the Marine Brigade that had mounted out for Vietnam. After training for approximately eight months 1/5, now BLT 1/5, departed for Vietnam via Subic Bay, Philippines, at the start of 1966. After BLT 1/5, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade completed Operations "Jack Stay" and "Osage", we went "In Country" permanently as 1st Bn, 5th Marine Regiment. Since we had the largest Battalion in the Corps, many of us were transferred to 1st Bn., 7th Marine Regiment where we finished our Vietnam Operations and tours. I ended my enlistment Honorably at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 1967.

My wife and I, have between us six children, five grandchildren, with a sixth due in June. We have lived in the rural countryside of El Dorado County (Northern California) for almost twenty-eight years where we reared our children and raised our horses, and other livestock that include American Bison.

WORK EXPERIENCE: My career after the Marine Corps began in 1968 as a peace officer, and ended in retirement in 1993 with twenty-five years. During this time I was a Patrolman, Investigator, Sergeant, and Special Agent. I then became an Investigator for a major California Law Firm (F.E.L.A.) for a couple of years prior to my permanent retirement in 1995.

As previously stated, after retirement I became involved actively with veterans organizations such as American Legion, VFW, DAV, and last and most importantly to me, the MARINE CORPS LEAGUE. I am a Life Member of the DAV, VFW, MARINE CORPS LEAGUE and MILITARY ORDER OF DEVIL DOGS. I have previously served as Jr. Vice, Sr. Vice, and Commander of VFW Post #2680.

EDUCATION: While as a Peace Officer I attended Sacramento City College where I obtained my Associate degree in Administration of Justice, and also attended California State University Sacramento (CSUS) as a Criminal Justice major, until my senior year ended due to family needs and requirements of a job promotion. I have also attended a myriad of Law Enforcement Schools during my twenty-five year career.

HOBBIES: Family, horsemanship, genealogy, and classic cars.

For me the MARINE CORPS and the MARINE CORPS LEAGUE have given me an honor of being part of a brotherhood that is for a lifetime. I have dedicated myself to this brotherhood of ours which I believe will make our communities and country a better place to live.