MCPON Rick D. West
Twelfth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Dec. 12, 2008 to Sept. 28, 2012
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West.
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Master Chief Rick West became the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy on Dec. 12, 2008.
West was born in Georgia. He graduated from Northwest Georgia High School in 1981 and immediately entered the U.S. Navy.
West received recruit training and Quartermaster training at Orlando, Fla., followed by Enlisted Submarine School at Groton, Conn. His first duty assignment was aboard USS Ethan Allen (SSN-608) where he completed Submarine Qualifications. Other assignments include USS Thomas Edison (SSN-610), USS Sea Devil (SSN-664), Commander Naval Activities United Kingdom (COMNAVACTUK), USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628)(Blue), and COMSUBPAC Staff (TRE Team).
West was assigned as Chief of the Boat aboard the San Diego based Fast Attack Submarine, USS Portsmouth (SSN-707), completing two Western Pacific deployments and earning two Battle Efficiency “E” awards.
West served as Command Master Chief in Submarine Squadron ELEVEN. Upon completion of his tour at COMSUBRON ELEVEN, he was selected as Force Master Chief (FORCM), attended the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, R.I., and served as Force Master Chief, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) from Jan. 2001 to Jan. 2004.
West then reported to USS Preble (DDG-88) in San Diego, Calif., where he completed a deployment to the Arabian Gulf and qualified as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist.
West was then selected to serve as Pacific Fleet, Fleet Master Chief from Feb. 2005 to June 2007.
Prior to being selected to be MCPON, he served as the 14th Fleet Master Chief for Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command from June 2007 to Dec. 2008.
West's personal awards include the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), Enlisted Surface Warfare Insignia, Enlisted Submarine Insignia, and SSBN Deterrent Patrol Pin.
Biography from the Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
