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CPO Pride Day Jax
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Guest Speakers

MCPON (Ret) RICK WEST

Navy Retiree, Best-selling Author

  

MCPON (SS/SW) 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 aboard 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 (Training/Tactical Readiness Evaluation (TRE) Team).


Immediately after SUBPAC, West was assigned as the Chief of the Boat (COB) aboard the San Diego-based fast-attack submarine, USS Portsmouth (SSN 707), where he completed two Western Pacific deployments and the crew earned two, Battle Efficiency “E” awards.


Upon completion of a Command Master Chief (CMC) tour at Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) ELEVEN, West attended the Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, R.I. and then selected and served as the COMSUBPAC Force Master Chief from January 2001 to 2004. West then reported as the CMC to USS Preble (DDG 88) homeported in San Diego, where he deployed to the Persian Gulf and qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and the crew earned the Battle Efficiency “E” award.


West selected during his tour onboard the Preble to serve as the Pacific Fleet (PACFLT), Fleet Master Chief from February 2005 to June 2007. Following PACFLT, he served as the Fleet Master Chief for Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command from June 2007 to December 2008. The first Master Chief to hold Fleet Master Chief positions in both the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. 


West became the 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) on Dec. 12, 2008, to September 28, 2012. MCPON (SS/SW) Rick West retired from the Navy after over a thirty-two-year career.


West's personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), Enlisted Surface Warfare Insignia, Enlisted Submarine Insignia, and SSBN Deterrent Patrol Pin.


Rick currently works as the President of AHRN.com and works as a Consultant at General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) Progeny Systems LLC. 


Rick is a Military Advisor at Veterans United Home Loans and sits as a Military Advisor on the board with First Command Financial and Blue Cross Blue Shield Military Relations. Additionally, Rick is active as a previous board member for the Naval Submarine League (NSL), and the Navy League and routinely invited by Navy Leadership to speak on a variety of subjects across the Navy. Additionally, Rick alongside the five other Senior Enlisted Leaders of each service is co-owner of Summit Six LLC and published the leadership book “Breaching the Summit.” 


Rick and his wife Bobbi currently reside in Poulsbo, Washington. 

Breaching the Summit: Inspiring Leadership Lessons from Six

What is CPO Pride Day Jax Event?

In their collaborative work, Breaching the Summit, six former senior enlisted leaders—each of whom reached the highest levels of the Pentagon—share their personal stories, experiences, and lessons learned through a lifetime of service. Each of the six authors provides a personal account of his or her background and early career in the military, how mentors influenced and encouraged them throughout their personal journeys, and what it took to eventually become the highest enlisted member of their respective branch of service. Their stories illustrate lessons that are applicable to both existing and aspiring leaders, members of the military or civilians. The authors weave their hard-earned leadership philosophies into the book, painting a compelling portrait of the journey to becoming a trusted, authentic, and effective leader. The authors include Ken Preston, 13th Sergeant Major of the Army (retired); Mike Barrett, 17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (retired); Rick West, 12th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (retired); James Roy, 16th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (retired); Denise Jelinski-Hall, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the National Guard Bureau (retired); and Skip Bowen, 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (retired). With a foreword by Gen. Peter Pace, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and more than 50 endorsements from current and former military officers and enlisted leaders, Breaching the Summit provides meaningful insights and practical, clear, and proven guidance to every level of military leadership as well as leaders in government, in businesses and boardrooms, and in every leadership program designed to develop future leaders.

Order the paperback

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