MCPON West Takes Over As Campa Leaves Office

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MCPON West Takes Over As Campa Leaves Office

By Andrew Tilghman - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Dec 12, 2008 17:17:10 EST

Fleet Master Chief (SS/SW) Rick West on Friday became the 12th sailor to in Navy history hold the title of master chief petty officer of the Navy.

In a ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard, MCPON (SW/FMF) Joe Campa officially stepped aside, passing the ceremonial cutlass to West.

“MCPON Campa, you have poured the foundation; now it is time to build the structure,” West, a career submariner and 27-year Navy veteran, told a room full of khaki-clad chiefs. “To our sailors, I am both humbled and honored to represent you all as the MCPON. All ahead full, shipmates. Hooyah to you.”

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead tapped West for the Navy’s top enlisted job on Dec. 5. West and the CNO have worked together for years. Roughead was West’s former boss at Fleet Forces Command and Pacific Fleet before the admiral became CNO.

West served for 11 years as a command master chief and has seen duty onboard five submarines and one destroyer.

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http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/12/navy_mcpon_121208w/%2e