MCPON Rick D. West Biography

    MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West

Mater Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

 

12/12/2008 - Present
MCPON (SS/SW) Rick D. West

 

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West was born in Rising Fawn, Ga. 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 on board 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 Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) Staff (TRE Team).

West was then assigned as chief of the boat on board the San Diego-based fast attack submarine, USS Portsmouth (SSN 707), completing 2 Western Pacific deployments. The crew earned two Battle Efficiency “E” awards.

Upon completion of a command master chief (CMC) tour at COMSUBRON 11, he was selected as force master chief, COMSUBPAC from January 2001 to 2004. West was then assigned to USS Preble (DDG-88) homeported in San Diego, where he deployed to the Persian Gulf and qualified as an enlisted surface warfare specialist.

West was selected during his tour on the Preble to serve as Pacific Fleet (PACFLT), fleet master chief from February 2005 to June 2007. Following PACFLT, he served as the 14th fleet master chief for the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

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.

 

 

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (Dec. 2, 2009) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West looks over Utilitiesman Michael McTaggart, attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion FIVE, during a training evolution at Naval Base Ventura County. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jennifer A. Villalovos/Released)

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