#30 - Mike Riggs

Great interview with Command Master Chief Petty Officer Mike Riggs. He's an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert who's done it all in a 30 year Navy career, from deploying to Afghanistan with Seal Team TWO to serving as a Defense Legislative Fellow on the personal staff of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio.

In this episode he talks about leading men when the stakes are literally life and death which includes how you lead when you're not in charge.

Check out Mike's resume. It sounds like a movie character.

MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER MICHAEL N. RIGGS 

UNITED STATES NAVY  

COMMAND MASTER CHIEF 

Master Chief Petty Officer Michael N. Riggs was born and raised in West Virginia. He graduated from Parkersburg High School in May 1990 and entered the U.S. Navy attending basic training in Orlando, FL in September 1991.   

Riggs attended Electronics Technician Apprentice School in Orlando, FL and Great Lakes, IL.  His first duty assignment was with Naval Computer and Telecommunication Station in Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T.  Following his tour at NCTS Diego Garcia, he served as a SATCOM ET at NCTS Sigonella, Sicily and the Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill AFB, FL.  Riggs attended Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center and Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal graduating in 2002.  Upon completion, he reported to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit EIGHT. During this tour, he conducted two deployments to Beirut, Lebanon and one to CJTF-HOA.  Riggs reported to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit TWO in March 2006 and deployed as EOD LCPO on SEAL Team TWO to Iraq supporting SOTF-W.  As plank owner of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit TWELVE, Riggs deployed as company LCPO to Iraq supporting Task Force Troy-North.  In 2010, Riggs reported to Commander Naval Special Warfare Group TWO Training Detachment deploying to Afghanistan and conducting C-IED training to deploying NSW units.  In 2011, Riggs reported to Commander Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group TWO and deployed again to Afghanistan supporting CJTF Paladin, CJSOTF, and SOJTF-Afghanistan.  Riggs was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer in May 2012. He reported to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit SIX as Command Master Chief in July 2013.  In 2015, he deployed to Honduras and Guatemala as Command Master Chief, SOUTHERN PARTNERSHIP STATION-ashore.  In 2016, he reported as Command Master Chief, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Eglin AFB, FL.  In 2019, Master Chief Riggs served as a Defense Legislative Fellow on the personal staff in Washington, D.C. of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, R-FL, for the 1stSession of the 116th United States Congress. 

Riggs’ academic achievements include a Master of Strategic Leadership from University of Charleston, Bachelor of Science from Excelsior College; Senior Enlisted Academy Class 174-Blue; Command Leadership School.   

Riggs’ personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (three awards), Navy Achievement Medal (three awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, and Naval Parachutist.