Master Chief Master Diver Steve Wiggins joined the U.S. Navy in November 1978 and retired from active duty in October 2005. He served in the fleet for five years as a Yeoman before he attended Navy 2nd Class Dive School in 1984 at Coronado, California. Steve attended 1st Class Dive School from 1987 over the holiday to 1988. In 1995, Steve earned his Navy Master Diver Qualification.
Master Diver Wiggins' most memorable dive commands were the USS Kittiwake (ASR-13), from 1988 to 1991, where he qualified submarine rescue chamber operator and operated SRC 8 to 850 feet of seawater for certification. He was stationed on the USS Frank Cable (AS-40) from 1985 to 1987. Steve did instructor duty at NAVSUBTRACENPAC aka NASTYPAC. Steve was a Master Diver on the USS Safeguard (ARS-50) from 1996 to 1999. Master Diver Wiggins was heavily involved in creating the Navy Diver rating when he served at the Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving in Panama City, Florida.
Steve says every Navy Master Diver influenced him toward a successful career. While telling his Deep-Sea Story, he mentions Master Chief Master Diver Jimmy John, Master Chief Master Diver Jim Carolyn, Master Chief Master Diver Jim Santo, Master Chief Master Diver Ron Ervin, Master Chief Master Diver Doug Heater, Master Chief Master Diver Frank LaQuay, Master Chief Master Diver Paul Schadow, Master Chief Master Diver Ryan Stewart, Master Chief Master Diver Davy Dryden, Captain Windhorst, Captain Wilkens, Diving Officer Doug Benett, Master Chief Master Diver Benke, Master Chief Master Diver Kyle Gaillard, Master Chief Master Diver Fred Orns, Master Diver Chris Lott, Hal Holey, Brent Bradley, Jeff Cumins.