Lieutenant Colonel Riggs graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 1996 where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and his commission as a Second Lieutenant. Upon completion of The Basic School, Second Lieutenant Riggs completed initial aviation training at NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, and NAS Kingsville, TX. First Lieutenant Riggs was designated a Naval Aviator on 26 March 1999 and reported to VMFAT-101 at MCAS Miramar, CA for follow-on training in the F/A-18 Hornet.
In July 2000, Captain Riggs reported to VMFA-314, MAG-11, 3d MAW at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, CA. During his four year tour with the Black Knights, Captain Riggs served as the Embarkation Officer, NATOPS Officer, Airframes Officer, Assistant Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and Pilot Training Officer. During this tour, Captain Riggs deployed with Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard the USS John C. Stennis in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and aboard the USS Carl Vinson to the Pacific Fleet area of operations. Between deployments, Captain Riggs graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN).
From July 2004 to June 2005, Captain Riggs served as the Regimental Air Officer 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force at MCB Camp Pendleton.
Captain Riggs reported to the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center, Fallon, NV in June of 2005 for duty as a TOPGUN Instructor. While at TOPGUN, he was the Navy and Marine Corps Subject Matter Expert for ATTP and also served as the Special Projects Officer, Training Officer, and Readiness Department Head.
In July of 2008 Major Riggs returned to MCAS Miramar, CA for duty with VMFA-323, MAG-11, 3d MAW. While assigned to the Death Rattlers, he served as the Operations Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and Executive Officer. During this tour, Major Riggs completed two carrier-based deployments; one with Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard the USS John C. Stennis and one with Carrier Air Wing Fourteen aboard the USS Ronald Reagan in support of Operations TOMODACHI, NEW DAWN, and ENDURING FREEDOM.
In July 2012, Major Riggs reported to MAG-31 at MCAS Beaufort, SC and was assigned as the Officer In Charge, Marine Aviation Training System Site (MATSS) Beaufort. In May 2013, Lieutenant Colonel Riggs assumed his present duties as Commanding Officer of the VMFA-251 Thunderbolts.
Lieutenant Colonel Riggs’ personal decorations include the Air Medal with Strike/Flight Numeral One, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.