John M. Riggs
Encyclopedia
LtGen John M. Riggs, United States Army
retired, is an American
Army general who was retired, apparently as a result of his contradiction of the U.S. government stance on troop strength needed to support the actions in Afghanistan
and Iraq. He had attained the rank of Lieutenant General (three-star), but was retired with the loss of one star, at the rank of Major General (two-star) in 2005. 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.
In 2006, Riggs, along with a number of other retired senior U.S. military officials — LtGen. Gregory S. Newbold
(USMC), MajGen Paul Eaton
(U.S. Army), and Gen Anthony Zinni
(USMC) — has come out calling 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."
in political science
and a M.A.
in personnel management and administration. In addition, Riggs completed a National Security Fellowship at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
, Harvard University.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
retired, is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Army general who was retired, apparently as a result of his contradiction of the U.S. government stance on troop strength needed to support the actions in Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
and Iraq. He had attained the rank of Lieutenant General (three-star), but was retired with the loss of one star, at the rank of Major General (two-star) in 2005. 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.
In 2006, Riggs, along with a number of other retired senior U.S. military officials — LtGen. Gregory S. Newbold
Gregory S. Newbold
Lieutenant General Gregory S. Newbold is a retired United States Marine Corps 3-star general who served as Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 2000 until he retired in October 2002...
(USMC), MajGen Paul Eaton
Paul Eaton
Major General Paul D. Eaton is a retired United States Army General most known for his command of operations to train Iraqi troops in George W. Bush's invasion of that country...
(U.S. Army), and Gen Anthony Zinni
Anthony Zinni
Anthony Charles Zinni is a retired four-star General in the United States Marine Corps and a former Commander in Chief of U.S. Central Command...
(USMC) — has come out calling for the resignation of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Rumsfeld
Donald Henry Rumsfeld is an American politician and businessman. Rumsfeld served as the 13th Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford, and as the 21st Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush. He is both the youngest and the oldest person to...
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."
Decorations
Riggs was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions as a helicopter pilot during Vietnam.Education
Riggs earned B.ABachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
and a M.A.
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in personnel management and administration. In addition, Riggs completed a National Security Fellowship at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
, Harvard University.
Further reading
- Riggs, John M. (2003) " The Objective Force: A Holistic Approach to Army Transformation", Army AL&T Magazine, March - April 2003. (URL accessed April 13, 2006)
External links
- Bowman, Tom (2004)."Rumsfeld says more troops are unnecessary, costly", The Baltimore Sun, January 22, 2004. (URL accessed April 13, 2006)
- "Washington, D.C.: Army General Demoted For Criticizing War in Iraq", PEN USA, June 1, 2005.