Major West joined the Army in 1992 as an Electronic Technician in RASIGS and later attended RMC graduating in 1998 and corps transferring to RAEME. He completed a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and Bachelor of Computer Science at ADFA in 2005. His postings include 1st Signal Regiment, South Queensland Logistic Group, Maintenance Advisor Service and 7th Signal regiment. He's had operational service in East Timor and Afghanistan. He left full time service in 2013 to start a real estate office in Brisbane and to study Artificial Intelligence at Queensland University of Technology. He still serves in the Reserves as a staff officer for special projects.