Career
West joined the RAN as a midshipman in 1952. He trained in Australia and the United Kingdom, then served in the Korean War and the Malaysian Confrontation. In 1968, he became an exchange officer with the United States Navy for three years.
On his return to Australia, West spent 12 years in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, at the Navy Headquarters, including postings as:
Secretary to the Chief of Naval Staff (as a Captain)
Deputy Chief of Naval Materiel (as commodore)
In 1984, West undertook studies at the Royal College of Defence Studies at Belgravia, London.
He was promoted to rear admiral on 10 May 1985 and appointed as Chief of Naval Materiel, on the retirement of Rear Admiral Bill Rourke. He retired from the Royal Australian Navy in 1989.