Horacio Rivera grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana he is half Cajun and half Spanish. He speaks English and Spanish fluently and understands a little French. He attended a military High School in Mississippi. In high school he was part of the rifle team, fencing team and wrestling team. He earned 4 varsity letters for wrestling and was one of the best wrestlers in the state. Also in high school Horacio was part of a volunteer Search and Rescue team made up of qualified students and instructors.

When Horacio finished high school he attended the Merchant Marine Academy for two years before dropping out to marry a girl back home. When he returned to New Orleans to get married his fiancee had left him for someone else. Heartbroken and distraught Horacio turned to his best friend Elizabeth for guidance. When Horacio recovered from his loss he decided to enlist in Star Fleet. He could have gone to a Maritime Academy to finish college and became an officer in the Navy but he thought it best to simply leave Earth. His friend Elizabeth had already left for a job as an engineer on a boomer and his parents had decided to travel Europe. So Horacio left for Star Fleet Basic Training.

Horacio rose through the ranks on Meridian and eventually reached Chief Petty Officer and appointed Meridian's Chief of the Boat. As Meridian's COB Horacio kept morale up among the enlisted folks and also took care of the armory in the absence of the armory officer. Little did he know that one day he would be the armory officer. After the former chief armory officer, Lt. Hawkes left, Horacio was given a field promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade and appointed the chief armory officer for Meridian.

Horacio is still adjusting to life as an officer. Also, since the attack on Earth, Horacio has been deeply hurt by the death of his best friend Elizabeth. She was sailing south of Cuba with her shipmates on a short vacation when they where caught in the blast of the alien probe. While no bodies where ever found, its obvious she was lost at sea.

All in all Horacio believes deeply in loyalty and he considers it an Honor to serve aboard the Meridian.