Background
West was born in 1963 in Rising Fawn, Georgia, and graduated from Northwest Georgia High School in Trenton, Georgia in 1981.
West was born in 1963 in Rising Fawn, Georgia, and graduated from Northwest Georgia High School in Trenton, Georgia in 1981.
His first duty assignment was on board United States Ship Ethan Allen where he completed Submarine Qualifications (Steamship).
After graduating from high school, West immediately enlisted in the United States. Navy. He received recruit training and Quartermaster (QM) training at Orlando, Florida, followed by Enlisted Submarine School at Naval Submarine Base New London (Groton, Connecticut). Other assignments include United States Ship Thomas A. Edison, United States Ship Sea Devil, Commander Naval Activities United Kingdom (COMNAVACTUK), United States Ship Tecumseh (Blue), and Tactical Readiness Evaluation (TRE) team on COMSUBPAC Staff.
Leadership assignments
West was then assigned as Chief of the Boat on board the San Diego-based Fast Attack Submarine United States Ship Portsmouth, completing two Western Pacific deployments.
The crew earned two Battle Efficiency "East" awards. He 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. West served as Force Master Chief, Submarine Force United States. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), from January 2001 to January 2004.
West was then assigned to United States Ship Preble homeported in San Diego, where he completed a deployment to the Persian Gulf and qualified as Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (Southwest).
He was selected during his tour on the United States Ship Preble to serve as United States Pacific Fleet, Fleet Master Chief, from February 2005 to June 2007. Since 2007, West had served as the 14th Fleet Master Chief for Commander, United States. Fleet Forces Command, prior to his selection as MCPON beginning December 12, 2008. On December 12, 2008, West accepted the passing of the ceremonial cutlass from outgoing MCPON Joe R. Campa.
On September 28, 2012, he stepped down as MCPON and retired from the Navy after a three-decade career.
Medals and ribbons.