Warrior of the Week: Staff Sgt. Kimberley Rivera

  • Published
  • By Airman Derek VanHorn
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  If anyone is ever feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, anxious, angry, depressed, or just needs someone to talk to, Staff Sgt. Kimberley Rivera, 319th Medical Operations Squadron, Mental Health noncommissioned officer in charge is always there to help.

"My main job is to make sure the clinic is running, everyone is performing their duties and all patients are seen in a timely manner," said Rivera. "We do a variety of things here from patient intakes, psychological testing, outreach to the community to teach prevention and coping skills and just being there if someone needs to vent or talk."

Sergeant Rivera's duty of caring for others doesn't stop when the work day is over. She and her husband, William, raise three children together, and are expecting their fourth in June.

While Rivera works mainly with adults, much of her heart remains with children.

"I want to work with children," she said. "I have a soft spot for them and their well-being."

Education is also a priority to the 10-year veteran.

"I am currently working on a bachelor's degree in Social Psychology," she said. "I am also working on pre-requisites to get into the Air Force nursing program, with future hopes to work as a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse."

Whether it is working with adults or children, Rivera invests all her efforts into helping others.

"As I have grown older and gained experience, I have learned how heart-breaking it can be to not be able to carry all patients' problems on your shoulders," she said. "It is tough to do both your job and separate yourself from the emotions, and in this career field you have to do that in order to last."

Outside of work, as one would likely imagine, Rivera puts her family first.

"Most all of my free time is spent with my kids," she said. "We like to play outside, ride bikes together, go swimming, and indoor wall climbing - we enjoy spending time together outdoors."