A native of Brownstown recently was appointed to the rank of captain with the Indiana National Guard during a ceremony at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.

Capt. Eric J. Riggs, who now lives in Lawrence, is a 38th Infantry Division signal officer who serves in the personnel section.

Riggs has served in the Indiana National Guard for 16 years and joined the military for the experience and college support.

"The military has given me the opportunity to grow in ways I never thought possible when I was younger," Riggs said in a news release. "It has pushed me physically and mentally to become a better person while providing a support network for my family and me."

Riggs thought of his spouse during his promotion ceremony.

"I wish my wife would have been there to pin me. She was instrumental in me becoming an officer," he said.

The division’s headquarters battalion commander, Lt. Col. Gary A. Blagburn of Fishers, promoted Riggs from first lieutenant to captain.

The two Indiana Cyclone Division soldiers left the Hoosier State in May and now serve in support of Task Force Spartan in the Middle East to provide leadership, command, control and in-depth staff analysis for Operation Spartan Shield.