Rick D. West

Master Chief Petty Officer Rick D. West is a veteran who served in the United States Navy for 32 years. He was appointed as the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy in 2008. Prior to that, he served as Fleet Master Chief for Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Pacific Fleet Master Chief. Master Chief West was the first senior enlisted leader to serve in this role for both operational fleets and be selected for Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.

Master Chief West served as the Command Master Chief onboard USS Preble, which was homeported in San Diego, where he deployed on the ship’s maiden voyage to the Persian Gulf and qualified as an enlisted surface warfare specialist. Prior to that, he held the position of Force Master Chief for Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Command Master Chief at Submarine Squadron ELEVEN.

Some of Master Chief West’s other assignments include Chief of the Boat aboard the San Diego-based fast-attack submarine USS Portsmouth; Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Staff, USS Tecumseh; Commander Naval Activities United Kingdom; USS Sea Devil; USS Thomas Edison and USS Ethan Allen.

His military honors include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, two Legion of Merit awards, three Meritorious Service Medals, four Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, the Enlisted Submarine Insignia, the Enlisted Surface Warfare Insignia and the SSBN Deterrent Patrol Pin.

Master Chief West currently works in business development and client engagement for Progeny Systems Corporation. He is also a co-owner of Summit Six LLC, an organization whose mission is to improve the leadership abilities of America’s workforce, and co-authored a book on leadership with the five senior enlisted leaders who share ownership with him.