KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NM. -- For Staff Sgt. Robert Riggan III, service was a way of life woven into his earliest memories. Born at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Riggan grew up in a household defined by structure, discipline, and sacrifice. As one of seven children raised by an enlisted Marine father, he learned early what it meant to be part of something bigger than himself.
His father was the foundation of the family while deeply committed to providing for his children. The expectations were high, but so was the example. Long hours, strict routines, and an unwavering sense of responsibility shaped Riggan’s upbringing. That environment didn’t just prepare him for adulthood; it quietly set the conditions for a future in uniform.
After high school, Riggan stepped into the civilian workforce, joining a family HVAC and contracting business. For two years, he learned the value of skilled labor while he worked with his hands, solved problems, and learned the importance of pride in your work. He later transitioned to another maintenance company and continued honing his skills. At the time, he wasn't certain about the military yet as his maintenance career was going well.
That all changed at 25 when the loss of his father left a void that extended far beyond grief. It removed the central pillar of his family and forced Riggan to reassess his own direction. At that moment, service took on a new meaning. It wasn’t just about following in his father’s footsteps, but it became about building something stable and lasting for the people who depended on him.
“The military felt like the best option,” Riggan reflected. “Not just to continue that legacy, but to create a better future for myself and my family.”
Despite his father’s Marine Corps background, Riggan decided the Air Force fit his life and interests better so he started the path to becoming an Airman.
Around the same time, Riggan met the woman who would become his wife. At 26, their relationship added another dimension to his decision-making. He entered the Delayed Enlistment Program, taking time to align his personal and professional goals before beginning his new career. His wife was set to join the Air Force as well, beginning her journey before him and eventually heading to her first assignment at Whiteman Air Force Base and he was able to follow.
Riggan navigated multiple challenges before even beginning his military career—including switching recruiters due to relocation and continuing to work in civilian maintenance jobs in Missouri while awaiting his opportunity to serve. Meanwhile, his new brother-in-law was facing challenging circumstances in trying to make a better life.
Due to restrictions at the time, immigration from Kyrgyzstan had been limited. What followed was a two-year process filled with legal hurdles, uncertainty, and persistence. Riggan stepped in as a legal guardian, helping navigate a system that offered few easy answers. Their determination paid off. Today, that same brother-in-law is serving as an Airman himself, stationed overseas.
Riggan’s own Air Force career began in aircraft structural maintenance to be part of a field that aligned closely with his civilian experience. After completing basic training, he was able to begin his new path alongside his wife.
Riggan's next orders found him going to Lakenheath and his wife found the opportunity to cross-train into communications to be able to secure an assignment at Lakenheath, allowing them to serve together overseas.
For three years, Lakenheath became home. It was there that Riggan honed his skills in structural maintenance, but it was also where his understanding of service expanded beyond training environments.
Shortly after the onset of the conflict in Gaza, Riggan deployed to Jordan for seven and a half months.
The experience was unlike anything he had encountered before. Operating in a region with heightened threats, he witnessed firsthand the realities of modern conflict. The base endured frequent attacks, with waves of missiles and drones targeting the area. In the middle of it, Riggan played a role in sustaining operations and supporting area defense efforts.
“It was eye-opening,” he said. “You train for it, but seeing it up close and being part of it, that changes how you view everything.”
The deployment also provided opportunities to work alongside partner forces, including the Jordanian Air Force. These interactions reinforced the importance of coalition operations and the shared responsibility of maintaining regional stability.
When the deployment ended, Riggan returned not just with experience, but with perspective.
Soon after, his family’s journey brought them back to the United States. His wife was selected for a recruiting assignment in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Riggan accompanied her to Kirtland Air Force Base. There, he joined the 58th Maintenance Group, continuing his work in structural maintenance with a focus on corrosion control and sheet metal.
Today, he is preparing to take on a leadership role, overseeing the corrosion control shop.
It’s a position that reflects not just technical expertise, but the steady progression of a career built on discipline, adaptability, and purpose. From a structured childhood in a Marine household to the challenges of overseas deployments and supporting his family, each chapter of Riggan’s life has contributed to the Airman he is today.
His story isn’t defined by a single moment, but by a series of decisions each rooted in responsibility to others.
Whether supporting operations under threat, navigating international complexities to bring family together, or leading Airmen in maintenance operations, Riggan carries forward a legacy that began long before his own service.
Thank you, SSgt Riggan, for your dedication to the mission and setting the example!