Penny Press - March 7, 2014

INSIDE

Self-Defense Training

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Harlem Globetrotter

Interview With LT Woody

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WHAT IS IT ?

If you think you know what this is, email whatisthisCVN72@ gmail.com with your answer and if you’re right, you’ll get a shout out in the next issue!

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Story By MC3 Wesley T. Buckett

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the course’s training, Sailors and ailors from the Nimitz-class their families can develop skills to aircraft carrier USS Abraham benefit themselves and give them Lincoln (CVN 72) joined the knowledge they need to stay Sailors from other area commands stable for the rest of their lives. for a “Million Dollar Sailor” “Sailors are encouraged to financial planning course at the bring their spouses to the classes,” Newport News Fleet and Family said Smith. “This is important Support Center (FFSC), Feb. 20. as well because while Sailors The course is designed are deployed, their spouses can for service members and their continue to properly manage the families who want to become finances.” more financially stable. The class Operations Specialist Seaman covered topics such as financial Edgar Barraza, a Lincoln Sailor, goal setting and implementation, explained why he signed up for the debt reduction, saving, investing program. and long-term wealth building.

“My department was where “The Million Dollar Sailor I first heard of the program and I program is used to educate Sailors was immediately interested,” said on properly managing their Barraza. “This will allow me to finances,” said Faye Smith, an manage my finances efficiently to Accredited Financial Counselor for stay out of debt. I learned a few the FFSC. things about money handling that I According to Smith, with didn’t know before.”

The two-day interactive program was developed by getting a wide range of ideas from several professionals from different areas.

“This program originated in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii from a financial counselor who wanted to give Sailors an overall picture about where their money is going and he helped develop it,” said Smith. “He coordinated with developers in other areas to get this program off the ground and it’s been great so far.”

The course is one of 16 Personal Financial Management Programs offered at FFSC. Any service member who is interested in learning how to take better care of their money can take the course.

“With tools learned from the program, a Sailor could potentially be a millionaire by the time they retire from the Navy,” said Smith.

M O W

A E S @ EN

T E S N E F

G N I N I A R

E D F L E S

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Story and Photos By MCSA Robert Ferrone

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ailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) prepared for March’s Women’s History Month with a self-defense class at Huntington Hall Feb. 26 organized by the ship’s Women@ Sea association.

Lt. Jessica N. Woody, who chairs Lincoln’s Women@Sea association, has been diligently putting together a schedule of training events to not only teach Sailors, but also to help female Sailors become the best they can be, both personally and professionally.

“We try to keep a wide variety of topics, and we pull them from crew suggestions,” Woody said. “Women@Sea gives female Sailors a forum to connect with others who may not have any other women in their department. It is open to everybody.”

Networking is a key component of Women@Sea. “We want everyone to have a mentor, a person they can talk to, and these meetings offer that,” Woody said. “The topics tend to be female-oriented, but the entire crew is welcome.

I’ve had guys participate in Zumba and they had a great time.”

The self-defense class, using special techniques used to ward off potential aggressors, was the first time many of the participants experienced hand-to-hand combat training.

“You have to have the basic understanding of ‘what will I do if this situation is presented to me’,” said Lt. Amber M. Holland, a participant in the class. “In the back of my mind I’m more comfortable with the fact that I know some ways I can protect myself.”

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Wade Kernan, a former Marine whose Military Occupation Specialties while in the U.S. Marine Corps included close combat instructor, and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Sean Bowman, instructed the course, which gave a basic understanding of self-defense and how to fend off an attacker.

“If you can get people out of the victim mindset, and help them realize that, no matter how big someone is, everyone has vulnerable areas that can be exploited to get out of the situation, it makes them more aware of their surroundings,” Kernan said.

Holland said that the positive feedback from the selfdefense participants has encouraged Women@Sea to expand its course schedule to include more training subjects.

“There’s a lot to look forward to in the next few months,” Holland said. “Once people go back to the ship and talk about how great it was and how much they learned, I feel like more people will be willing to come out.”

In the back of my mind I’m more comfortable with the fact that I know some ways I can protect myself.

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It’s our way of showing appreciation to those who have served.

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LINCOLN SAILORS LEND A HELPING HAND Story and Photos By MC3 Benjamin T. Liston

Sailors Volunteer at Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington D.C. 6

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etired Armed Forces veterans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home were treated to active duty escorts from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) at a special Black history Month event in Washington, Feb. 28.

Lincoln’s Diversity Council organized the community relations event (COMREL) to give its Sailors an opportunity to recognize their heritage.

“It’s our way of showing appreciation to those who have served,” said Senior Chief Fire Controlman Eric Paschal.

The facility houses veterans who have served throughout our nation’s recent history, including World War II. “Some of these veterans have stories that would amaze even the most worldly individual,” said Paschal.

The COMREL was part of a Black History Month celebration in the facility’s common area.

“Many of these veterans lived through the Civil Rights movement and experienced the progress we

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Helping these people in any way possible is what we are here to do.

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made as a nation,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Christina Heath.

The retired veterans were accompanied to the celebration by Lincoln Sailors.

“Many of these veterans need assisted care,” said Heath. “Helping these people in any way possible is what we are here to do.”

The celebration featured descendants of Solomon Northup, who was recently featured as the main character

in the Oscar-award winning motion picture “12 years a Slave.”

The guest speakers shared anecdotes, poetry and the historical significance of African American culture in the United States.

“This was an awesome COMREL,” said Heath. “I learned quite a few things, not only about these veterans, but about black history and how it still influences our country as a whole.”

After the celebration, the veterans were guided by Lincoln sailors to a luncheon in one of the facility’s dining areas.

Sailors helped serve veterans food and had the opportunity to sit down and speak with those who have served our country.

“The luncheon gave us an opportunity to sit down and share stories about our time in the service,” said Paschal.

“The stories some of these veterans have are amazing.”

The COMREL concluded with Sailors sitting down with the veterans and spending time talking about prior history in our armed forces and the Black History Month celebration.

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IMAGES

OF THE WEEK

Photo By MC3 Jonteil Johnson

Photo By MC3 Benjamin T. Liston

Photo By MC3 Jonteil Johnson

Photo By MC3 Brenton Poyser

HARLEM GLOBETROTTER Shoots Around With Lincoln Sailors Story and Photos By MCSA Robert Ferrrone

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nthony “Buckets” Blakes, a member of the world famous Harlem Globetrotters, judged a slam dunk competition and played a variation on the game of HORSE against Capt. Randall Peck, executive officer aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) at Huntington Hall, Feb. 20.

The event was sponsored by Morale, Welfare and Recreation, which also donated a laptop computer to the winner of the slam dunk contest. The dunk contest consisted of three elimination rounds. Participants had 30 seconds to complete a dunk. “Buckets” scored the dunks on a 10-point scale.

Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Mills flew above the rim and ran away with the contest.

Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Jameson advanced to the final round with a solid display of high-flying dunks, but Mills’ athleticism put him over the top, according to Blakes, who emphasized the importance of interacting with the naval community.

“We love putting them out on the basketball court to show them a little piece of home, take their minds off their duties for two hours and have some Globetrotters fun and magic with them,” Blakes said.

Chief Yeoman Ryan Bolton, who coordinated the event, was excited to welcome such a prominent force in the world of sports to the command.

“I think it means a lot,” Bolton said. “Building that alliance between the Navy and outside entities, building amongst each other and doing what we do to make this community a better place.”

After the dunk contest, Peck and Blakes faced off in a twist on the classic game of HORSE--NAVY. Peck and Blakes took turns attempting shots which the other would have to match.

Peck jumped out to an early three-letter lead, but Blakes stormed back and tied it. Eventually, Blakes hit a 12-foot bank shot to seal the win.

Blakes was “pleasantly surprised” by Peck’s talent and by the other Sailors in the dunk contest.

“You guys have some leapers out there,” Blakes said.

“There were some amazing dunks, some 360’s and some twohanded windmills, something that I didn’t expect to see. You guys have some talent here for sure.”

The Harlem Globetrotters are an organization known for their humanitarian efforts, and Blakes plans to continue to uphold that tradition.

“It’s very important to do things like this for the Sailors, not only for me but for our organization as well,” Blakes said. “You guys go out and protect our freedoms, and give us the freedom to have all these wonderful venues to make people laugh and smile. What better way to give back to you guys than coming in and having some fun?”

Penny Press Vol. 25, Issue 3

Interview Conducted By MC3 Wesley T. Buckett

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PP: What is the Woman at Sea program all about?

LT: Women@Sea was organized to help connect junior female Sailors with positive mentors who will encourage them to be their personal and professional best. The Women@Sea also sponsor training and physical fitness events to give people the opportunity to learn and discuss issues that matter to them in an open forum.

PP: What were your first thoughts about joining the Navy as a woman?

LT: Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. My uncle and grandfather were in the Navy, but they didn’t have much advice in regards to gender differences. I joined the Navy because it was the best career opportunity for me. I knew it would stretch me past my comfort zone and that was good.

What surprised me the most about joining the military is how diverse people are and how that variety of cultures, experiences, and viewpoints can be an incredibly rich resource.

PP: Are there any women, historically, that inspired you to join the military?

LT: I’m the first woman in my family to join the military.

The only reference I had about what life was like for women in the military was M*A*S*H, and that wasn’t very historically accurate. But they were noble, brave and compassionate. I’ve met a lot of women and men since I’ve joined the military who share those exact qualities. I have done a lot of research since I joined about the history of women in the military and I have been flabbergasted by their stories. Some of the greats were Mary Edwards Walker (first female surgeon in the Army and first and only woman to earn the medal of honor) , Cathay Williams (a female disguised to join the Buffalo Soldiers); there were many women who started enlisting in 1917 for WWIbefore Women had the right to vote, and, of course, I have a soft spot for those in the medical field.

PP: How far has the armed forces come when it comes to equal opportunity?

LT: I can only speak for myself in my job, not for everyone throughout the armed forces. Personally, I feel like I’m on a very even platform with my peers. We wear the same uniform, make the same amount of money based on rank and time in service. But I can only speak from my experience as an officer in a staff corps that has boasted strong diversity for decades.

PP: Has being a woman affected your career?

LT: It almost did and I had to overcome a lot of stereotypes to do the job. But, I kept my chin up, worked extremely hard and tried to ooze professionalism from my every pore. After a few weeks, no one doubted that I was the best fit for the job and the matter was never brought up again.

PP: What is your opinion on women serving in combat areas?

Women have been serving legally as military nurses, corpsman, and doctors for almost a century now. Many of those hospitals have been on the front lines and they have handled themselves as well as the men in their units.

Combat is horrible, physically and mentally. There is a lot of research going on now into the psychology of combat and how people respond and recover from it. The question of who is better suited to serve in dangerous situations is more complex than a question of gender.

PP: Do you think this country is ready for a female president?

LT: Yes. PP: Who are your female heroes?

LT: There are a lot of women I look up to. But, I have always had just one hero… and she’s not in the military.

Of all people, it’s Dolly Parton. She got herself out of abject poverty by using her musical talents and wit. She never stops working and, most importantly, never stops giving. She started her theme park to boost the economy of her home town and her Imagination Library gives books to millions of children in her home state every year. She may look ridiculous, but she never lost track of who she was, never caved to what people expected her to be, and she used her success to make the world around her a better place. What more could you want from a hero?

PP: Is there any advice that you would give to women who may be interested in joining the military?

LT: Find a good mentor as soon as you can. Then, go find two more. A good mentor will mold you into the best version of yourself and never let you forget who you are.

It’s important not to lose yourself in your uniform.

LINCOLN SAILORS

CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN WASHINGTON Story and Photo By MCSA Matthew Young

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ailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) traveled to the nation’s capital to celebrate diversity during Black History Month Feb. 27.

Taking a moment to appreciate American history, the Sailors visited the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and other attractions at the National Mall.

Lt. j.g. Eric Gonzalez, Lincoln’s command diversity officer, hopes trips like this will educate Sailors about American history with a first-person perspective.

“We had the pleasure of traveling to Washington D.C. to come and celebrate Black History month with a group of Sailors from the ship,” Gonzalez said. “To witness it, to view it, and to see how the nation’s capitol has honored those people.”

Gonzalez said that the memorials were his favorite part of the trip because all the different statues were unique.

Sailors visited “Changing America: the Emancipation Proclamation, 1863” and “March on Washington, 1963,” at the National Museum of American History which explores the history of the freeing of the slaves and the hardships they faced in the ensuing 100 years.

The monuments and historical sites that Lincoln Sailors visited contributed to their knowledge of Black history.

Secretary of the Navy Announces Career Sea Pay Increases Story By Chief of Naval Personnel, Public Affairs

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ecretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced an increase in Career Sea Pay (CSP) and Career Sea Pay Premium (CSP-P) for eligible Sailors and Marines serving aboard ships whose primary mission is conducted at sea Mar. 4.

"Those Sailors and Marines on sea duty, deployed away from home around the world, are the backbone of the Navy and Marine Corps, and enable us to provide and maintain our global presence," said Mabus. "This change to Career Sea Pay will both improve critical sea-duty manning and reward those who take these challenging sea-going assignments. This increase is long overdue and is meant to reward our Sailors and Marines for their continued sacrifices as part of 'America's Away Team'."

CSP and CSP-P are funds earned by Sailors and Marines on top of their base pay, to compensate them for time at sea. CSP rates are based upon a member's pay grade and cumulative years of sea duty. CSP-P is an additional incentive for members who exceed 36 consecutive months at sea. By law, CSP and CSP-P may not exceed $750 and

$350 respectively.

All pay grades with at least three years of cumulative sea duty will receive a 25 percent increase in regular CSP, while service members who exceed 36 months of consecutive sea duty will receive an increase in CSP-P from $100 to $200 per month.

Consistent with current policy, in lieu of receiving CSP-P, Sailors and Marines in grades E5-E9 with eight years of cumulative sea duty receive a higher CSP rate, equivalent to receiving CSP-P whenever assigned to a ship regardless of consecutive sea time.

This is the first increase of CSP and CSP-P since 2001. Approximately 100,000 Sailors receive CSP and approximately 13,000 receive CSP-P; this special pay increase is expected to cost $66 million/year.

Pending final coordination with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, it is expected that the new CSP and CSP-P rates will take effect early this summer. An announcement on the exact date is forthcoming.

Marines assigned to Company F, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) conduct launch and recovery operations with combat rubber raiding craft from the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9). Denver is assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Todd C. Behrman

Thousands of Navy and Marine Corps supporters attend the commissioning ceremony of the San Antonio class, amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) March 1. The Somerset’s namesake recognizes the heroic actions of the 40 passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001 who sacrificed their lives to thwart a terrorist attack bringing down their would be hijackers and plane in a field in Somerset County, Pa. saving countless innocent lives in the process. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Peter D. Lawlor