Change of Command

In a time-honored change-of-command ceremony, Captain David R. Kuehn assumed his duties as the 57th Superintendent of the United States Naval Observatory on October 25, relieving Captain Michael Riggins, formerly of Snyder, who has assumed new duties as Deputy Athletic Director at the United States Naval Academy.
Following the keynote speech by Rear Admiral John Okon the two officers read their orders, and Captain Kuehn officially relieved Captain Riggins.
Riggins graduated from Snyder High School in 1989. He lettered in football, basketball and track. He was named All-District in football his senior year. Riggins was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated with honors from Snyder High School.
He was the Senior Class favorite and a Mr. SHS nominee.
After graduation, Riggins attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in New Port, R.I.
He played right corner for the football team going 10-0 for the season.
In 1990, Riggins entered the United States Naval Academy. He was a walk-on and made the varsity team his freshman year.
He lettered four years and started at right corner his senior year.
His first assignment was as an assistant football coach and instructor at the Naval Academy Preparatory School, in Newport, R.I., and in the spring of 2005 he attended the Surface Warfare Officers School in Newport. As a surface warfare officer, he completed tours aboard USS Carr and USS Harry S. Truman.
He participated in two trans-Atlantic deployments and numerous exercises and operations, including Standing Naval Forces Mediterranean, Invitex 97, Linked Seas, and Med Shark 97.
He completed his tour onboard the Truman as a Plank Owner and then reported to the United States Naval Academy, serving as the Celestial Navigation Course Coordinator and Yard Patrol Officer in charge of midshipmen summer cruises.
Upon re-designation as a cryptologic officer in 2001, he attended the Naval Cryptologic Officer Basic Course in Pensacola, Fla. and following graduation was assigned to Naval Security Group Activity Fort Meade, Md., serving as a real-time military analysis center operations watch officer.
Later, he was appointed Targeting Action Officer in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing support to U.S. combatant commanders and allied military forces.
From August 2004 to June 2006, he served as the Staff Cryptologic Resource Coordinator for Commander, Amphibious Squadron Eight and the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group, leading information warfare operations for a Persian Gulf deployment and a post deployment Sixth Fleet surge in support of the multi-national exercise, Phoenix Express.
In July 2006, he transferred to the Naval War College earning a master of arts in national security and strategic studies, and in the summer of 2007 he reported to United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Fla., assigned to the Special Operations Research Development and Acquisitions Center as the Deputy Program Manager for the Joint Threat Warning System.
In August 2010, he served on the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations Staff as the Decision Superiority Division’s Chief of Staff, providing support for planning, resources, and sponsorship to the director, Decision Superiority.
From April 2012 to June 2014, he served as the Executive Officer for Navy Information Operations Command Texas, leading over 500 sailors and civilians in support of fleet and national interests.
In September 2014, he reported to Fleet Cyber Command/Commander 10th Fleet as the N5, ACoS for Plans and Policy and in July 2016 reported as the Deputy Superintendent, United States Naval Observatory.
Riggins is authorized to the wear the Information Warfare Officer and Surface Warfare Officer pins.
He has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various service medals and ribbons.
Riggins has served more than 26 years in the U.S. Navy.