 Upon the completion of the training, Riley was designated Naval aviator on September 3, 1930 and was attached to the Scouting Squadron Six (VS-6), Aircraft Squadrons, Scouting Fleet.While he was underwenting training, he was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) on June 2, 1930 and also completed correspondence course in optics at the Naval War College.Riley then served with the Scouting Squadron Five (VS-5) until June 1933, when he was transferred to the Patrol Squadron One (VP-1) stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.