Richard West graduated Eisenhower High School in Lawton, Oklahoma May 2002. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on 1 October 2001 and shipped to recruit training June 2002.
Recruit West attended recruit training with Platoon 3102, Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, and graduated September 2002 as a Private First Class meritoriously.
Upon completion, PFC West attended Marine Combat Training, at Camp Pendleton, California. PFC West attended the Field Artillery Fire Control Man School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, November 2002. Upon graduation, PFC West received the MOS 0811 Field Artilleryman.
In February 2003, PFC West reported to Fox Battery 2/14 and began on the job training for the experimental phase of the High Mobility Rocket System. PFC West was promoted to Lance Corporal in February 2003. In 2006, LCpl West was augmented to HQ 3/14 to deploy to Hit, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of a Police Transition Team. LCpl West was promoted to Corporal April 2007.
November 2007, Cpl West reported to Kilo Battery, 3/10 as a Field Artilleryman. In April 2008, Cpl West deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Regional Detention Facility prison guard. Cpl West returned October 2008. In 2009, Cpl West went to Fox Battery 2/12 as a Section Chief on the M777 Howitzer, in support of Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3/8. Cpl West was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Sergeant in April 2010. Sgt West graduated as honor grad from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Program in 2010. In August 2010, Sgt West deployed in support of BLT 3/8, on the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. From the MEU, Fox 2/12 was sent into Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a Section Chief on the M327 EFSS 120mm Mortars in the Sangin, Helmand Province.
Sgt West reported to Drill Instructor School, MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina July 2011. Sgt West was assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. From March through April 2014, Sgt West participated in the Eastern Division earning first leather for individual rifle and the Marine Corps Match Championships earning a bronze pistol badge. Sgt West completed his tour on MCRD Parris Island August 2014.
In November 2014, Sgt West joined Fox Battery 2/14 from the IRR. Sgt West served as the Platoon Sergeant for a Firing Platoon as well as Headquarters Platoon. Sgt West was promoted to Staff Sergeant April 2016.
SSgt West was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant March 2019. He was assigned to Kilo Battery, 2/14 as Headquarters Platoon Sergeant.
GySgt West was assigned to Headquarters Battery 2/14 in May 2022 as the Battery Gunnery Sergeant.
GySgt West was frocked August 13th, 2023 and assigned to Truck Co. 23rd, August 2023 as the Company First Sergeant.
1stSgt West has achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Psychology with a minor in English.
1stSgt West's personal award includes the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.