Sergeant Major Michael S. Riggs is the sergeant major of Tobyhanna Army Depot, the Defense Department’s largest facility for the repair, overhaul and integration of Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems. The depot, located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, employs more than 3,200 personnel.
As sergeant major, his responsibilities include overseeing mission requirements, and quality of life issues on the depot and in the local community. He advises the commander on all matters relating to Soldiers, the civilian workforce and their family members. In addition, he serves as the voice of the warfighters who use depot-repaired equipment once it arrives on the battlefield.
Sergeant Major Riggs enlisted in the United States Army in May 2001 as a Unit Supply Specialist. He completed Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia. In 2007, Riggs re-classed to Small Arms Repairman and attended Advanced Individual Training at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Riggs has a Bachelor of Science degree in Leadership in the Public Sector from North Carolina State University.
He has served in staff and leadership positions at stateside and overseas military installations and has deployed to Southwest Asia seven times in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve. In his most recent assignment, Riggs served as Support Squadron Command Sergeant Major of the 3rd Operational Support Group, Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
The sergeant major’s military education includes all levels of the Non-Commissioned Officer’s Education System, How the Army Runs Course, Demonstrated Master Logistics, Battalion Pre-Command Course, Special Operations Planners Course, Supervisor Development Course, Joint Military Free Fall Course, Logistic Support to Sensitive Activities Course, Enterprise Management Course, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Support Coordinator Course, Combatives Level II, Static Line Jump Master Course, Basic Airborne Course, and various Industry certifications.
Sergeant Major Riggs’ awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (with four Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (with “C” device, and one Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with two Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal (with one Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with one Oak Leaf Cluster), Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal 6th Award, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal-Campaign Star (2nd award), Iraqi Campaign Medal-Campaign Star (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Over Seas Ribbon (Numeral 2), NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and the Driver Badge.