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.
Office Term: 12/12/2008 - Present
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) is the senior enlisted person in the Navy. The MCPON serves as the senior enlisted leader of the Navy, and as an advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations and to the Chief of Naval Personnel in matters dealing with enlisted personnel and their families.
The MCPON is also an advisor to the many boards dealing with enlisted personnel issues; is the enlisted representative of the Department of the Navy at special events; may be called upon to testify on enlisted personnel issues before Congress; and, maintains a liaison with enlisted spouse organizations.
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- One week after his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/mcpon, surpassed ten thousand "fans", Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW) Rick D. West used the Web site to announce his intent to further leverage social media as a significant communications device.
West, in a note he posted to Facebook Dec. 7, said he anticipates another thousand fans by Christmas, and that the response he's received from Sailors and Navy families has been surprising and encouraging. He also said that the real value of social media is the opportunity to share ideas. "We started out tentatively and that's fine. But, now that we have momentum, I believe we should push it even further. I want to start putting your best ideas on our page," West wrote. "Is your command doing something like that? If so, let us know. We want to introduce that idea to the fleet and leverage it for the good of all Sailors."
West unveiled his public Facebook page June 25 and has been aggressive in tackling subjects Sailors around the Navy tell him they are most concerned with. "We've discussed the wear policy for the NWU and your feedback made its way to our CNO. We've discussed women aboard submarines and the debates on that subject have been enlightening and well-spoken. Almost every decision or new policy released or considered in the last half-year has been brought up here and discussed. I find that is immensely gratifying, and I hope it continues."
MCPON wrote that he hopes for even more interaction in the coming months, but pointed that it has never been his intent to use Facebook, or any form of social media, to subvert a Sailor's standard chain of command. West said that many times the responses he provides to Sailors' questions are short and to the point. "Many times the answer I give you will boil down to, 'Ask your CMC' because we have to ensure your command is aware and engaged at their level for the issue. Other times, we'll do the research and provide a response because we know your question is something that falls outside the normal lane of your local leadership." In the six months since the MCPON Facebook page was created, the site has averaged approximately two thousand page views per day with an average of 500 new "fans" per week. Since then, West has branched out to other areas of social media, as well. Accounts with Twitter (http://twitter.com/MCPONPAO), Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/43070230@N03/) and Slideshare (http://www.slideshare.net/mcponpao) all host archives of various communications products West has pushed to the Navy's Chief Petty Officer's Mess. "I believe we are on the cutting edge of military communication," said West. "We are all breaking new ground, and I appreciate your role in that." For more news from Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, visit www.navy.mil/local/mcpon/.
