In response to the pro-Soviet takeover of the Syrian Army in August 1957, she steamed in the Mediterranean while the 6th Fleet deployed to protect independent nations in the Middle East, including the pro-Western government of King Hussein in Jordan.

Between 1959 and 1965 Geiger continued operations out of New York, steaming to Bremerhaven, Germany and Southampton, England; Mediterranean ports in North Africa, Italy, Greece, and Turkey; and American bases in the Caribbean.

Following the Cuban Missile Crisis, she made three runs between New York and Cuba to return military dependents to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base during December 1962 and January 1963.

She supported the movement of combat-ready troops from the United States to the southwest coast of Spain and took part in the largest American military landing operation since the Korean War.

Steaming via Pearl Harbor, she arrived Qui Nhon, South Vietnam, 19 September to bolster the Navy's transportation capabilities during the struggle to halt Communist aggression in Southeast Asia.