(SEPT 28) Kaliesha West---not only one of the
top female boxers in the sport who is now retired as a professional boxer, and
retired multi-world boxing champion--- but she was also one of the elite
inducted into the 2023 International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.
WBAN received a great bit of news when we found out
that Kaliesha was sworn in as a Navy Nurse Officer who will commit to four years
of active duty, and will be stationed on one of the ships in San Diego,
California. WBAN caught up with Kaliesha and got the story firsthand about
this amazing achievement! Kaliesha said the following:
After retiring from boxing in 2019, I
knew I wanted to dedicate myself to something I loved—something that could also
provide financial stability and give my children the platform to pursue anything
they dreamed of. I’ve always been drawn to science and human anatomy, and at
first, I wanted to become a plastic surgeon because I loved the idea of fixing
things. But I realized the demands of medical school and residency would take me
away from my family for too long. A physician friend pointed out that nurse
practitioners carry a high level of autonomy and responsibility with far less
financial and time commitment, which made sense for me as a mother seeking
balance. Nursing became the clear path forward.
I started with my prerequisites while working full time and raising my family,
often only able to take two classes at a time. It took nearly three years to
finish everything I needed before I could enter nursing school. When the time
came, my husband supported me in pursuing school full time, and I was accepted
into East Texas A&M University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Moving
from the fast pace of California to the slower pace of Texas gave me the
financial stability and quiet I needed to focus, and it ended up working
beautifully.
While in nursing school, I knew I wanted to serve in the military and originally
set my sights on the Air Force. After making a few calls, I quickly realized
they didn’t offer much support or opportunity for nurses. The Navy, however, had
a strong reputation for its nurse program. As fate would have it, I ran into a
Navy recruiter one afternoon on campus during lunch. He told me about the Nurse
Candidate Program (NCP), which was exactly what I was searching for.
The application process was intense—essays, interviews with officers, months of
waiting—but when I was selected, it was life-changing. The Navy paid for my
nursing school, and in return I committed to serve four years of active duty as
a Navy Nurse Officer at one of their hospitals. It felt like destiny, following
the tradition of my father, a Navy veteran, and my husband, who also served. I’m
a planner at heart, and I loved knowing the Navy had a structured path to guide
me as a new graduate nurse—teaching me, strengthening me, and helping me become
the best version of myself in this profession.
If you asked me why I joined, I’d say the Navy gives me opportunities and growth
that aren’t easily available to new graduate nurses in the civilian world. But
if you asked me on a deeper level?
I believe every capable American should answer the call to serve — whether
through active duty, reserve, a lifetime career, or even a single contract.
Nations with mandatory service often show stronger unity and civic pride, and
while we proudly call ourselves the land of the free, too many lose sight of
that freedom’s worth, distracted by the noise instead of remembering the
greatness of our country. Today, only about 1% of the U.S. population serves in
the military — a sobering reminder of both the burden carried by the few and the
responsibility shared by us all.
When I swore in, it was one of the proudest moments of my life. A fellow officer
and friend — Ensign Verena Noelia Gonzalez, spoke powerful words about my
journey, and I immediately felt the unmatched bond of Navy brotherhood and
sisterhood. My husband placed my cover, my mother pinned my nurse pendant, and
my father had the honor of pinning my new rank as a United States Navy Ensign
(O-1). It was the moment that tied together my family, my calling, and my
commitment to serve.
Photos from photographer: Ximena Isabel Gonzalez
Speech prior to my oath swearing:
“Good afternoon everyone,
It is an incredible honor to stand here today as we welcome Kaliesha “Wild Wild”
West into the United States Navy Nurse Corps and the Wardroom. From this moment
forward, she will not only be my friend, but also my sister.
This moment holds special meaning because Kaliesha chose me to swear her in.
That is a privilege I don’t take lightly. In fact, she is the very first officer
I have ever had the honor of swearing into the Navy, and I can’t think of anyone
more deserving of that place in my story than her.
Kaliesha has been a champion her whole life. A former Women’s Bantamweight
Champion and an International Women’s Boxing Association Super-Bantamweight
Champion, she’s proven she can take a punch, throw a punch, and keep moving
forward. Which, come to think of it, sounds a lot like Navy life already.
She trained under her father Juan, who proudly served in the Navy. And with her
husband Hunter also a Navy veteran, it’s clear she didn’t exactly stumble into
this moment, it’s practically destiny. Some families pass down secret recipes,
but in her family they just pass down sea stories and a love for uniforms.
Her journey to this day is nothing short of inspiring. She once worked 15- to
16-hour days, trained after work, and then, at 35, went back to school while
raising her youngest child. Most people would call that impossible. Kaliesha
calls it Tuesday. She doesn’t just meet challenges, she stares them down and
says, “Is that all you’ve got?”
To her Juan: Sir, thank you for raising such a remarkable woman who is strong,
wise, and grounded in what is right. You did a wonderful job.
To her husband Hunter and their three children: Hayes, Kam and Isla, thank you
for supporting her and sharing her with the Navy family. We promise to take good
care of her and if she ever gets too tough on us, well, let’s just say I really
hope I never make her mad. Instead, I’ll be the first to volunteer if she wants
to teach me a few moves. Having a world champion in the Wardroom might just be
the best self-defense program the Navy has ever had.
Kaliesha, you are a natural leader. You tell it like it is, you bring out the
best in others, and you never shy away from doing what’s right. You are
instinctive, loyal, and the ultimate “ride or die” to your loved one.s. Those
qualities will make you not just a great Navy Nurse, but someone Sailors and
Marines will trust with their lives.
So today, as you raise your right hand and become Ensign Hoke, you’re joining a
proud tradition. Let’s be honest, although you can’t prescribe medications yet;
your treatment plan is already locked and loaded: Motrin, water, and change your
socks. The difference is, with your champion’s grit and nurse’s heart, we will
actually want to listen to you.
Congrats sis and welcome aboard!
Ensign Verena Noelia Gonzalez, “Xena”, USNR
Aviation Maintenance Limited Duty Officer and Navy Mustang
WBAN / IWBHF
WBAN Instagram
WBAN Facebook
WBAN / IWBHF
WEBSITES
www.womensboxing.org
www.wbanmember.com
www.floridaboxing.com
www.iwbhf.com
WBAN's
Group Facebook
