U.S. Navy photo and information byMCSA Wesley Buckett
Photo and information provided by MC2 Brian Morales
Know Your Shipmate
CSSN Levi Kealm
Supply Department/ S-7 Division
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board USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), crew members come into contact with shipmates everyday that provide stellar customer service and perform simple tasks that make life more enjoyable on the ship. Culinary Specialist Seaman Levi Kealm, a Santa Maria, Calif. native who enlisted in the Navy in January 2009, currently makes coffee at Jittery Abe’s, Lincoln’s Starbucks coffee stand. Prior to supporting Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s (MWR) mission, Kealm cooked in the crew’s galley, feeding thousands of Sailors on a daily basis after coming to Lincoln in June 2009. “I get the same satisfaction making good coffee as I do making good food for people,” said Kealm. “It’s an easy transition for me. My favorite drink to make is the peppermint mocha because it’s like Christmas in a cup.” While on deployment, Kealm works to keep his morale high by reading, working out and enjoying the ongoing series of conversations he has with the crew while making coffee. “Working for the ship’s MWR is the most rewarding thing I’ve done thus far,” he said. Kealm also looks forward to completing NCPACE English courses before the end of deployment and attending the Johnson and Wales Culinary Institute in Colorado when his Navy days are over.
Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society:
Assisting Sailors, Marines
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By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Karolina Martinez
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Times
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ess than one percent of the U.S. population volunteers to serve in the military, which is comprised of roughly 1.7 million total service members. Well, my friends, we represent and embody that less than one percent. We are that small percentage who offers our service for the security of our family, our friends and our loved ones at home. So who will help us when we find ourselves in need? There are many resources and programs that offer assistance to service members, one of which is the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCS). “This is a great program because it is Sailors taking care of their fellow Sailors through donations and
of the NMCS when he was stationed in Hawaii and his mother-in-law was ill. “NMCS helped pay to get me, my wife and all four of our children back to the states in time to see her,” he said. Although the NMCS is a non-profit charitable organization sponsored by the Department of the Navy, the society and its programs are solely funded by charitable contributions like the annual fund drive conducted by the Navy and Marine Corps. Contributions are returned to clients in the form of emergency relief or other services. Most expenses are covered by proceeds from the Reserve Fund, which was established during World War II. “The services aren’t that limited,” said Warley. “Whatever
charitable drives,” said Chief Religious Program Specialist Elliot Warley, the command NMCS coordinator. “It’s a program that helps Sailors out when they encounter a family emergency or crisis,” said Warley. “For example, if someone’s family member dies and they don’t have the money to get home, NMCS will give them money to get home.” NMCS will also assist you if you are having car problems. If your car breaks down, you can go to NMCS to get a loan to get your car fixed. They can also provide you loans--no questions asked--with zero interest, and you can arrange a payment schedule up to 24 months. “I have also seen incidents where they help pay for funeral arrangements,” said Warley, who took advantage
problem you might be going through right now-NMCS can probably help you with whatever you’re dealing with.” NMCS also provides services like money management, parental budgeting workshops, education loans and grants, among other benefits. “It is important for Sailors to be familiar with this program because they never know when they will face an emergency. Emergencies happen to everyone at some point. When they do, the NMCS is here to help,” said Warley. For more information on the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, visit nmcrs.org or www.facebook.com/ nmcrs.
Lincoln Sailors Receive Mail for the Holidays Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jon Idle
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ailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) received more than 77,000 pounds of holiday mail during a vertical replenishment at sea, Dec. 20. Logistics specialists assigned to the Lincoln Postal Office and volunteers from around the ship sorted the 35 pallets of packages and letters into proper departments to ensure all the Sailors received their mail. Chief Logistics Specialist Brent Lewis, Lincoln’s postal officer, emphasized the importance of getting holiday mail to Sailors as efficiently as possible. “For some Sailors, it’s their first time being away from home and missing the holidays,” Lewis said. “So to make it up to them, we bring Christmas to them ahead of schedule. And we won’t tell their loved ones if they open their gifts
early.” Lewis has been deployed before, and he knows firsthand the morale boost a holiday package or letter can give a Sailor. “Just the feel of opening a box is joyful, and the excitement of finding out what’s inside is even more of a thrill,” he said. Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Jennifer Brenke, assigned to Lincoln’s Admin department, said the efforts of the postal team will ensure the holidays are happier for Sailors like her. “Being away from home, one simple package can mean the whole world to someone,” Brenke said. “It just means that your family is looking out for you. Even though we’re millions of miles away, we can still be connected by one little box.”
“Even though we’re millions of miles away, we can still be connected by one little box.” -PS3 Jennifer Brenke
Air Boss Experiences Some Hair Loss Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Godbee
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very Sailor has had the thought of one day humiliating his or her boss with no repercussions. Dec. 18, Sailors assigned to USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) Air department saw that fantasy become a reality. The Air Boss, Cmdr. Hunter Ware, and the Leading Chief Petty Officer of Air department’s V-1 division, Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Darren Hardman, agreed that if the department went 96 consecutive days without an alcohol related incident (ARI), the two would shave their heads. Air department Sailors accepted the challenge and on Dec. 6, they surpassed it. When the Sailors passed the 96-day mark, the idea was pitched to raffle off who would get to shave Hardman and Ware’s heads to raise money for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. The tickets were sold on the aft mess decks for $1 each during the week leading up to the head shaving. “People are excited,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Adam Goetz, assigned to V-1. “A master chief came over and bought $40 worth of raffle tickets. An officer also bought 25 raffle tickets. It’s a new way of doing something instead of the typical rewards system. It got
everyone’s attention, and for something as serious as ARIs, you have to do something that stands out. “ Ware said the goal was important to all the Sailors in the department. “They started taking care of each other,” he said. “I can’t stop Sailors from drinking and driving or getting into bar fights, but their peers can.” Sailors in Air department are doing the right thing for the right reasons, Ware added. He said he knew the department would complete the challenge. “The fact that a department of nearly 600 people can complete a challenge like this during the months leading up to a deployment, one of the most stressful times in a Sailor’s career, is even more impressive,” said Ware. Goetz said the challenge made people think twice before possibly making bad decisions and raised awareness about ARIs around the ship. “I’m fully expecting this to be a humiliating, but very enjoyable, process,” said Ware, before the shaving. “I’ve shaved my head before as a young pilot and trust me, it’s not a good look. But I’m happy to do it. It’s been the highest honor and privilege of my career to serve as the Air Boss for the men and women of the Lincoln Air department team. It doesn’t get any better than this.”
Medical Vaccinates Sailors for Deployment Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeremiah Mills
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s USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) enters the 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), the ship’s Medical department readies Lincoln crewmembers by providing them with required smallpox and anthrax vaccinations. While a necessary measure of precaution against biological terrorism, both smallpox and anthrax shots have to be properly recorded and screened for the safety of the crew. In order to largely reduce further infection and unwanted side effects from the vaccinations, Sailors filled out screening forms that Medical personnel used to determine Sailors’ medical histories and shot requirements. “From Sailors with skin disorders to those with heart conditions, the screening process is our first line of defense against harmful side effects from vaccinations,” said Lt. Adriana-Nicole Rosales, a Lincoln medical officer. “It’s our job to safeguard our crew with a thorough system and proper information.” Once the screening process is complete and the vaccines have been given, Sailors receive self-care recommendations for resisting infection and further discomfort. Lincoln’s Senior Medical Officer Cmdr. Mike Jacobs
said Sailors can easily minimize side effects during their 20- to 30-day periods of recovery. “Sailors can stay healthy by keeping the site of injection covered with appropriate bandages and clothing as well as avoiding contact with the affected area and properly disposing of used bandages. These measures will help minimize side effects.” Jacobs also said that small precautions can help maintain mission readiness. “The immunization process is simply a force health protection contingence against a clear and present danger as we proceed into the 5th and 7th Fleet AORS,” said Jacobs. “By maintaining ourselves through immunizations and other health measures, we’re maintaining mission success.” Lt. j.g. Jonathan Halbach, another Lincoln medical officer, said that while vaccinating roughly 5,500 Sailors is a daunting task, the Lincoln Medical staff were up to the challenge. “Sailors see an independent duty corpsman, a physician and then a corpsman to get their vaccinations in what is a quick, easy process,” said Halbach. “After the records of thousands of Sailors have been updated and tracked into our system, the job is done. It’s to the credit of all Medical personnel on board for their precision and dedication.”
U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Jeremiah Mills
U.S. Navy Photo by MCSN Zachary Welch U.S. Navy Photo by MC3 Jeremiah Mills
U.S. Navy Photo by MCSN Sean Hillier
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U.S. Navy Photo by MCSN Zachary Welch U.S. Navy Photo by MCSN Zachary Welch
72 CVN
Images of the Week
CS2Nisse Fonseca BEST GIFT: My wife bought me a PS2 back in 2002, and it was a good surprise. WORST GIFT: When I was seven years old, I received underwear instead of toys!
ABHAN Roslyn Dumalsen
BEST GIFT: That would definitely be my first iMac WORST GIFT: Spending Christmas at boot camp!
Brent Williamson MMFN
BEST GIFT: A professional DJ turntable for audio mixing WORST GIFT: School supplies--What am I going to do with those on Christmas?
ADANZhen Gao
BEST GIFT: I would have to say it’s between a watch or my Nikon camera. WORST GIFT: By far, I would say a box of chocolates.
Ryder Shane-Robert Hill
Born: Dec. 6, 2011 Time: 11:33 p.m. Weight: 7 lbs., 14.9 oz. Length: 20 in. Father: FC2 Christopher Hill
Logan Danka Mina
Born: Dec. 11, 2011 Time: 7:30 a.m. Weight: 7 lbs. Length: 21 in. Father: AD2 Philipmark Mina
Gunner Reed Vollmar
Zane Lee Miller
Bentley Garrett Smith
Jadyn Leigh Tompkins
Born: Dec. 12, 2011 Time: 6:52 a.m. Weight: 6.5 lbs Length: 19 in. Father: OS2 Tyler Vollmar
Born: Dec. 14, 2011 Time: 6:56 p.m. Weight: 6 lbs., 15 oz. Length: 19 in. Father: ABE3 Joshua Smith
Born: Dec. 14, 2011 Time: 2:15 a.m. Weight: 7 lbs., 14 oz. Length: 20 in. Father: AEAN Chase Miller
Born: Dec. 14, 2011 Time: 10:17 p.m. Weight: 10 lbs., 3 oz. Length: 20.5 in. Father: MM2 Duane Tompkins
Ganele Sage Madrigal Born: Dec. 15, 2011 Time: 10:15 p.m. Weight: 7 lbs., 2 oz. Length: 11 in. Father: ABHAN Roberto Madrigal
USS Pinckney Disrupts Piracy South of Yemen By Ensign Elizabeth Kandt, USS Pinckney Public Affairs
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uided-missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91), assigned to Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, disrupted a group of suspected pirates close to the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), south of Yemen, Dec. 19. The Merchant Shipping Industry Best Management Practices, Version 4 (BMPv4) encourages merchant vessels to register with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) while transiting areas known to be high risk for piracy. At approximately 8:40 a.m., the Motor Vessel (M/V) Nordic Apollo reported to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO) they were under attack and been fired upon by pirates from a skiff. Having registered their route with UKMTO in accordance with BMPv4, Nordic Apollo’s position was relayed to counter-piracy forces operating in the region. At approximately 11:00 a.m., the M/V Heather, operating 30 nautical miles from Nordic Apollo, reported suspicious activity by a skiff. Pakistan Navy Rear Adm. Kaleem Shaukat, CTF 151’s commander, authorized Pinckney to investigate. Nordic Apollo confirmed the pirate attack, but stated they no longer had sight of the skiff. In response to the distress call, Pinckney made best speed to the area, issued a radio warning to other vessels in the vicinity, and launched its MH-60R helicopter. The helicopter crew successfully tracked and located the skiff, observing nine suspected pirates and pirate paraphernalia on board, including several ladders, weapons and fuel containers. The suspected pirates were seen attempting to cover their weapons with blankets and throwing the ladders overboard as Pinckney closed their position.
Intercepted by the helicopter and Pinckney, the skiff stopped and the suspected pirates threw their weapons, identified as five AK-47 rifles, one rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher and three RPG rounds, overboard. Pinckney was given authorization to conduct a boarding using their visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team and once aboard, the VBSS team confirmed there were nine suspected pirates, one grappling hook, 36 barrels of fuel, and 75 and 45 horsepower outboard engines. The VBSS team scuttled one outboard motor and left the skiff with enough fuel and water to return back to shore. Cmdr. Matthew M. McGonigle, Pinckney’s commanding officer, praised the crew for their efforts. “My crew responded in an exceptional reaction time and with complete professionalism. With the helicopter in the air, acting in conjunction with the ship, we were able to have full coverage of the situation and stop them carrying out any further illegal activities. “The operation was carried out in accordance with our pre-rehearsed responses to such an event, and I am very proud of the Pinckney’s crew and all those involved.” Piracy is a threat to the security of all nations and requires an international solution. The presence of coalition navy vessels in the region demonstrates a commitment to regional security and stability. To continue to counter and deter piracy successfully, coalition efforts must be complimented by proactive measures by commercial shippers, regional governments, and the international community. Pinckney is assigned to Combined Task Force 151, a multi-national, mission-based task force working under Combined Maritime Forces, to conduct counter-piracy operations in the Southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean.
NPC Provides O-3 Fitness Rep Guidance By Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs
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U.S. Navy photo by MC3 Scott Pittman
avy Personnel Command officials remind the fleet of interim changes to the Navy Performance Evaluation and Counseling System instruction as commands prepare annual fitness reports (FITREPs) for more than 18,000 lieutenants due next month. According to NAVADMIN 219/11, released earlier this year, Navy changed summary group totals permitted in O-3 periodic FITREPs beginning with FITREPs due Jan. 31, 2012. Commands must manually calculate summary group distribution totals following guidance in the NAVADMIN. Using the outdated figures listed in the Navy Performance Evaluation and Counseling System instruction will result in invalid FITREPs that will be returned for corrections. “NPC uses both electronic checks and block-by-block checks by a person to validate FITREPS and evaluations before entering them to the official record,” said Jim Price, director, Performance Evaluation Division, Navy Personnel Command. An invalid report can result in a missing report in the officer’s official military personnel file if the report is not corrected. According to the NAVADMIN, early promote (EP) recommendations are limited to 20 percent of the reporting
senior’s summary group and the combined EP and must promote (MP) recommendations must not exceed 60 percent. The change does allow an increase in one MP recommendation for each EP quota not used. In order to calculate the maximum number of combined MPs and EPs a reporting senior can have in a summary group, simply multiply the total number of O-3s in the group by 0.6 and round up. According to Price, MP recommendations may be increased by one for each EP quota not used. All summary groups of two can receive one EP and one MP. According to Price, the change in policy provides a mechanism for controlling performance inflation and identifies top performers early for selective detailing and selection board purposes. The interim change will be followed by an official change in the next revision of BUPERSINST 1610.10C and in the next update to NAVFIT98A, the performance evaluation software used throughout the fleet. For more information, read NAVADMIN 219/11, call the NPC Customer Service Center at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC (1-866-827-5672) or email at cscmailbox@navy.mil.
Briefly Updated PQS Available for AD, AE and AS Ratings
The Center for Naval Air Technical Training (CNATT), on board Naval Air Station Pensacola, announced Dec. 22 the release of new Personnel Qualification Standards (PQS). The updated PQS are for Apprentice Support Equipment Technician (Afloat), Journeyman Support Equipment Technician (Afloat), Aviation Machinist’s Mate Journeyman T700-GE-401/401C Engine Technician, and Aviation Electrician’s Mate Journeyman Automatic Flight Control System Technician. The electronic-only versions of the PQS booklets are available on Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) via the Navy PQS link found on the Quick Links tab on the left side of the main NKO page. From the Navy PQS page, Sailors should follow the PQS 43400 Series link on the left side. The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training provides operational and maintenance training that supports shore and afloat operations. This includes specialized skills training for enlisted ratings and officer designators supporting all facets of aviation maintenance and support. Selected courses cover: maintenance and repair of avionics and electronics; rotary and fixed wing aircraft engines and structures; ordnance maintenance and support; flight deck operations and, fire fighting, crash and salvage training; shore and shipboard air traffic control; and radar operations and repair. Courses are taught through blended learning including standard classrooms, hands-on labs, simulations, as well as computer based and interactive courseware training.