Rick D. West
| Rick D. West | |
|---|---|
 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy |
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| Born | Rising Fawn, Georgia |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1981–present |
| Rank |  Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) |
| Unit | Chief of Naval Operations |
| Commands held |
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy USS Portsmouth (SSN-707) (COB) |
| Battles/wars | Global War on Terrorism |
| Awards | Legion of Merit (2) Meritorious Service Medal (3) |
Rick D. West (born 1963, Rising Fawn, Georgia) is the 12th and current Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON). On December 12, 2008, West accepted the passing of the ceremonial cutlass from outgoing MCPON Joe R. Campa[1]
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Master Chief West graduated from Northwest Georgia High School (Trenton, Georgia) in 1981 and immediately entered the U.S. Navy. Master Chief West received recruit training and Quartermaster (QM) training at Orlando, Florida followed by Enlisted Submarine School at Naval Submarine Base New London (Groton, Connecticut). His first duty assignment was on board USS Ethan Allen (SSBN-608) where he completed Submarine Qualifications (SS). Other assignments include USS Thomas A. Edison (SSBN-610), USS Sea Devil (SSN-664), Commander Naval Activities United Kingdom (COMNAVACTUK), USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628) (Blue), and Tactical Readiness Evaluation (TRE) team on COMSUBPAC Staff.
[edit] Leadership assignments
Master Chief West was then assigned as Chief of the Boat on board the San Diego-based Fast Attack Submarine, USS Portsmouth (SSN-707), completing two Western Pacific deployments. The crew earned two Battle Efficiency "E" awards.
Master Chief West then served as Command Master Chief at Commander, Submarine Squadron Eleven. Upon completion of his tour at COMSUBRON ELEVEN, he was selected as Force Master Chief (FORCM) and attended the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island.
FORCM (SS) West served as Force Master Chief, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC) from January 2001 to January 2004.
Command Master Chief West was then assigned to USS Preble (DDG-88) homeported in San Diego, where he completed a deployment to the Persian Gulf and qualified as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (SW).
Command Master Chief West was selected during his tour on the USS Preble to serve as United States Pacific Fleet, Fleet Master Chief from February 2005 to June 2007. Since 2007, FLTCM (SS/SW) West had served as the 14th Fleet Master Chief for Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command prior to his selection as MCPON beginning December 12, 2008.
[edit] Military awards and decorations
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Legion of Merit (with gold award star) |
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Meritorious Service Medal (with two award stars) |
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Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with three award stars) |
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Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with award star) |
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Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (with bronze service star) |
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Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device |
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Navy Good Conduct Medal (with one silver and three bronze service stars) |
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Navy Expeditionary Medal |
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National Defense Service Medal (with service star) |
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
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Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
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Humanitarian Service Medal |
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Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with one silver and two bronze service stars) |
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Navy Arctic Service Ribbon |
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Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (with service star) |
Enlisted Submarine Warfare Insignia
Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Insignia
Silver SSBN Deterrent Patrol Insignia- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Identification Badge
- Service Stripes (7 awards)
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Rick D. West |
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Joe R. Campa |
12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy December 12, 2008 – present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
