Is a native of Asheville, North Carolina, LCDR Ridley enlisted in the Navy as a CTM in January 1990 and graduated from Chapman University in January 1995 via the Enlisted Education Advancement Program (EEAP). After receiving an endorsement by Converge Worldwide (formerly Baptist General Conference) he was commissioned as an Ensign in February 2002 and designated as a Chaplain Candidate Program Officer in the Navy Reserves.
Ensign Ridley enrolled full-time at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (MABTS) located in Memphis, TN. He completed his studies in 2005 and earned a Master's of Christian Education degree, leading to his ordination and Chaplain's endorsement. After graduation, he superseded to active duty as a Navy Chaplain. His initial chaplain assignment was to First Battalion, First Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA. He deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, and was dually assigned to the First Marine Regiment and 10th Mountain Army Brigade at Abu Ghraib Prison. Completion of the Battalion's post-deployment period, led to a new assignment at Headquarters Battalion First Marine Division.
In October 2007, Lieutenant Ridley transferred to the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD where he provided ministry to combat wounded veterans, their families, and the hospital staff. During that time, he completed a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. In 2010, Lieutenant Ridley received new orders to the USS San Diego LPD 22 pre-commissioning unit. He deployed with DESRON 23 on a Theater Security Cooperative (TSC) mission in the South Pacific. Additionally, he assumed the duties of Command Chaplain onboard USS Cleveland LPD 7. Additionally, he started a doctoral program at Bethel Seminary. In February 2013, he assumed his new duties as Command Chaplain Navy Information Operations Command Fort Meade, Maryland. Where he promoted to Lieutenant Commander and provided pastoral care to over 2,000 servicemembers serving on two continents.
His final tour of duty was as Command Chaplain - Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Apr 2016 – Apr 2019) In a senior supervisory chaplain position. He supervised a team of 16 active duty, civilian religious ministry professionals, and 40 volunteers who facilitated the religious accommodation of 18,000 Marines, Sailors, their dependent family members, and civilian government employees assigned to the base. He administered a $300,000 budget consisting of appropriated and non-appropriated funds, which comprise the Command Religious Program (CRP). The CRP funds all programs which support the religious accommodation of all personnel assigned to the base. Additionally, he managed a 12-million-dollar Chapel / training conference center.
In June 2020 after completing his Doctor of Ministry, with a concentration in, congregational and pastoral care. He began a new career as the Director of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy at Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine. He supervises the spiritual care team, consisting of five staff chaplains and ten volunteers who provide religious accommodation, pastoral care and support to patients, their families and 1,800 hospital staff. In this role he provides ethical and moral support to the palliative care, ethics, and the Internal Review Board teams. Advise Suburban’s diversity health equity and inclusion (DHEI), and Resiliency in Stressful Events (RISE), Veterans Employee Resource Group committees.
LCDR Ridley's military decorations and awards include Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), Good Conduct Medal (3 awards), National Defense Medal with bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Service medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Eagle, Globe and Anchor Meritorious Unit Citation, and Battle "E" Ribbon. He is a Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer and Enlisted Surface Warfare Qualified. Chaplain Ridley and his wife Ginger have been married for 41 years. They have two adult daughters: Candace and Jocelyn (husband Devin Patton). Three grandsons: Caleb, Joshua, and Darien and one granddaughter Jaelyn.
