I realized that a life without you in it was meaningless. The adventure I was living seemed so dull and lackluster when compared to the way my heart fills with happiness when I see you. I could give it all up, and start a new adventure with you, as husband and wife. Let me protect you, let me take care of you. Let me love you.

She joined the Royal Navy as a warfare officer. She was trained on HMS Battleaxe and later commanded four small ships including the minesweeper HMS Shoreham. She has also worked on the co-ordination and logistics of the evacuation of UK citizens during the 2006 Lebanon War naval operations at the time of the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence and the British naval contribution to the Iraq War.

In May 2012 West assumed command of HMS Portland a Type 23 frigate. She has also worked on the co-ordination and logistics of the evacuation of UK citizens during the 2006 Lebanon War naval operations at the time of the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence and the British naval contribution to the Iraq War.