OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Army National Guard celebrated the passing of the sword between top enlisted advisors during a Change of Responsibility ceremony Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Regional Training Institute.
State Command Sgt. Maj. Tony F. Riggs bid a fond farewell and relinquished the reigns as the top Army enlisted advisor for Oklahoma to Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Miller, who now holds the title as the 14th State Command Sergeant Major.
“This is a bittersweet day,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson, adjutant general for Oklahoma to Riggs. “You are one of the finest Soldiers to pass through our ranks. You’ve left an indelible mark on the way we manage our [noncommissioned officer] corps that we are going to evolve over the next decade.”
The State Command Sergeant Major is the senior enlisted advisor to The Adjutant General for Oklahoma on all enlisted Soldier issues. He works closely with the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s (OKARNG) senior non-commissioned officers to ensure that issues from the approximate 5,500 enlisted Soldiers in the OKARNG are addressed in a manner that is beneficial to the organization and its members.
Riggs, of Norman, Oklahoma, served as the 13th State Command Sergeant Major since February 7, 2015. During his tenure, Riggs oversaw numerous projects, to include a total change to the enlisted promotion system, selection of senior noncommissioned officers for retention and promotion and three iterations of the statewide Best Warrior competition.
Since joining the OKARNG in 1983, Riggs served in a variety of key positions throughout the state, ranging from chief of a firing battery to command sergeant major of the 45th Field Artillery Brigade. During his tenure as the Command Sergeant Major, Riggs deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Along with the multiple awards he has received over his prestigious career, Riggs has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters) and the Army Commendation Medal (with six oak leaf clusters). Riggs will have served more than 35 years upon his retirement this December.
Miller, of Skiatook, Oklahoma, joined the OKARNG in 1995 following four years on active-duty with the 82nd Airborne Division. Since joining the National Guard, he has served in multiple positions of authority from platoon sergeant to command sergeant major of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Miller deployed to Afghanistan from 2003-2004, and again in 2011, as well as Iraq in 2008.
“I’m excited and I’m honored to be selected for the position,” Miller said. “I didn’t expect to go this far in my career, but I’m glad for the achievement.”
Miller’s awards include the Meritorious Unit Citation (with one bronze oak leaf), Bronze Star Medal (with one bronze oak leaf), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with three bronze oak leaves), Humanitarian Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab and the Oklahoma Senior Enlisted Ribbon (with one Silver Diamond and one Bronze Star). He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Oklahoma State University.
The State Command Sergeant Major is selected through a board process with final approval from The Adjutant General. The position is full-time and located at the Oklahoma Military Department in Oklahoma City.