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December 8, 2008

By Louis Hansen
The Virginian-Pilot
© December 7, 2008

NORFOLK

The Navy on Friday chose Norfolk-based Master Chief Petty Officer Rick West to become the next master chief petty officer of the Navy.

West, fleet master chief for Fleet Forces Command at Norfolk Naval Station, becomes the top enlisted sailor and the 12th in the post. He will relieve Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Joe R. Campa Jr. Campa, who is retiring, has held the position since July 2006.

West said Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead called him Friday morning with the news.

"I'm honored," West said.

He will relieve Campa on Friday. He called the outgoing chief a great leader and friend. "I couldn't ask for a better guy to relieve," he said.

West joined the Navy in 1981 from Northwest Georgia High School, joined the submarine force and served aboard the Ethan Allen, Thomas Edison, Sea Devil and fast-attack Portsmouth. He's been fleet master chief petty officer at Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk since June 2007.

The master chief petty officer advises the chief of naval operations and chief of naval personnel on issues concerning enlisted personnel and their families.

Louis Hansen, (757) 446-2322, louis.hansen@pilotonline.com