John M. Riggs

John M. Riggs (born c. 1946) is a retired United States Army general. He was retired in 2005, apparently as a result of his contradiction of the United States government stance on troop strength needed to support the actions in Afghanistan and Iraq. He had attained the rank of lieutenant general, but was retired with the loss of one star, at the rank of major general. According to the army, this was because of misuse of contractors, though the infractions were deemed to be so minor that they were not put into his permanent record.

Education

Riggs earned Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Arts in personnel management and administration. In addition, Riggs completed a National Security Fellowship at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Military career

Riggs is a 1964 graduate of Caruthersville, Missouri High School. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1965. Commissioned a second lieutenant in 1969, he graduated from the Infantry Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served a combat tour in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Riggs commanded at company, battalion, brigade, division, and army levels, serving in Vietnam, Germany, Korea, Belgium and numerous assignments throughout the United States. Later assignments were as Assistant Division Commander for the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany; Deputy Commanding General United States Army Aviation School, Fort Rucker, Alabama; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff Operations and Plans, Washington, DC; and Commanding General 7th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Retirement

In 2006, Riggs, along with a number of other retired senior United States military officials—Lieutenant General Gregory S. Newbold (USMC), Major General Paul Eaton (Army), and General Anthony Zinni (USMC)—called for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld over his handling of the Iraq War. In an interview with NPR's Michele Norris, Riggs said, "I think he should step aside and let someone step in who can be more realistic."

Awards and decorations