By John Robert Morton, Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison, and Angel Rivera, AMU Graduate
Space is one of the last frontiers left for mankind to explore, and the U.S. Space Force is helping establish order in this modern frontier. This month, we celebrate the U.S. Space Force’s fifth birthday.
Angel Rivera is an AMU graduate, currently serving in the Space Force. He received his master’s degree in space studies from AMU in 2023.
Developing an Interest in Space
Raised in Puerto Rico, Angel comes from very humble beginnings. After high school, he enlisted in the Army National Guard and completed an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas. Interested in the law, Angel later graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law with a J.D.
Angel entered the Army as an Air Defense Artillery Officer and was assigned to various space positions in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Over time, Angel realized he wanted a career that involved space and missile defense.
After Angel’s retirement from the military, he found it difficult to find non-military jobs that fitted his legal and space operations expertise. A former subordinate recommended that Angel investigate the master’s degree in space studies at AMU. After evaluating the program, Angel realized it was the perfect bridge between his operational experience and his legal background.
“I selected the space policy concentration because I wanted to pursue job opportunities in the space field, either within the government or in the private sector. Eventually, I was hired by the United States Space Command as a future concept analyst,” Angel says.
He served at SPACECOM for a year. Later, Angel was promoted to the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Currently, Angel serves as a program analyst (Space Capabilities, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Cyber) within the Requirements Analysis and Resources Division of NORTHCOM/NORAD. “This field of work is the future; space is the final frontier for humanity and there is always a need for top performing professionals in this community,” Angel notes.
Receiving Guidance from Space Studies Professor Keith Woodman
During Angel’s degree, he had an outstanding space studies professor, Dr. Keith Woodman. “He was a great mentor and helped me polish my writing skills. Dr. Woodman was of immense help when I was selecting my research topic for my capstone study, which I named ‘Anti-Satellite Weapons as Weapons of Mass Destruction’,” Angel says.
Angel also enjoyed several of his courses, but his favorite course was “Current and Emerging Space Powers.” In that course, he studied which nations have the intent to initiate space exploration and how other countries are currently considered space powers that can affect our national security.
Advice to Other Space Studies Students
Angel’s advice to anyone who intends to pursue a career path involving space is “to have the desire to overcome all obstacles and setting big, realistic goals. Do what you desire and prepare yourself now that you are young because life will not wait for you.”
“I am a believer that the military is the best foundation for young adults who do not come from wealthy families that can assist in their development. There is no greater and more satisfying profession than that of protecting freedom for all to enjoy,” Angel adds.
“Be ambitious but realistic. You have to aim for challenging positions and do not settle for less. Being stagnant will kill your professional development, especially as a space professional or a federal employee,” he says.
“Be a humble team player. Internalize the fact that you do not know it all and you need to surround yourself with people of high professional caliber. Be humble, ask questions and show your willingness to learn. Help others with their tasks and offer a helping hand whenever you can,” Angel advises.
Making Space Safer for Everyone
Angel’s future goal is to obtain a doctoral degree and become a director at NORTHCOM. With solid members of the Space Force like Angel Rivera continuing their work, we can rest assured that space will be safer for everyone in the future.
About the Author
John Robert Morton is a Student and Alumni Affairs Liaison and has been with the University for 15 years. His bachelor’s degree in European history is from Troy University in Troy, Alabama. He also completed master’s degrees in political science and sports management from American Military University. As a liaison, John Robert enjoys helping students and alumni achieve their personal and professional goals.
About Our Department
The AMU and APU Alumni Affairs Office is dedicated to sustaining lifelong relationships with university alumni by providing engaging opportunities to stay involved and connected. We work closely with various stakeholders to strengthen the alumni experience and offer numerous benefits, services, activities, and events throughout the year.
As a team, the Alumni Affairs team works to build and sustain relationships with alumni along their personal and professional journeys. We actively look for ways to recognize and showcase alumni, telling their stories to motivate and encourage students to pursue their goals.
If you are an alumni community member and looking for ways to remain actively involved, please get in touch with alumni@apus.edu and speak with a team member.
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