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From the Editor Greetings Lincoln Nation! Two more weeks of boldly exploring the world of RCOH has passed and Big Abe is still working hard. Many Abe Warriors took a stand against poor choices for a Keep What You Earned Rally. With overwhelming support they highlighted problems from drinking and driving to sexual assault. Transportation has been working hard to keep running on time and keep aiding Lincoln Sailors in getting around. And they’re saving Big Abe money while doing it! Once again Abe Warriors are swinging for the fences with another inning of Captain’s Cup Softball! The tournament will be running all July, so be sure to go out and support your team! All this and more in this issue of the Penny Press, remember: Stay smart. Stay Safe. Stay Navy.
Lincoln Leads Way
Takes Part In Hearing Conservation Research
Photo By MC2 Kyle Henley
Photo By MC3 Jeremiah Mills
Story by MC3 Zachary Anderson
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he Office of Naval Research together with the Uniformed Services University’s department of preventive medicine and biometrics began using the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as a test platform to study the effects of 24 hour noise exposure on Sailors. The study will span two years and will measure the noise exposure of Sailors attached to aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships while on deployment and in the shipyards. According to Cmdr. Michael Stevens, Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University, the goal of the study is to accurately identify the amount of harmful noise Sailors are exposed to in different environments. “We are trying to get better data to help fight hearing loss,” said Cmdr. Jennifer Rous, assistant professor at the Uniformed Services University. “Hearing loss costs the Department of Defense billions each year.” Lincoln will be able to use the information gathered to improve working conditions, according to the ships assistant safety officer Lt. John Engel
“The Safety Department is going to be able to use this information to raise the level of safety on the ship,” said Engel, “We will be able to better tailor the level of personal protection equipment worn to individual tasks and environments to better protect our Sailors, along with increasing the effectiveness of our training program.” The research team aboard Lincoln is using a new device to measure noise in decibels and record it for analysis. “The device has three microphones,” said Stevens. “One microphone records the ambient noise in the area of the Sailor; the other two microphones are inside foam earplugs and measure the noise that makes it past the hearing protection used by the Sailor.” Measuring the amount of ambient noise on the ship and the amount of noise in the Sailor’s ears not only lets the researchers know how noisy an area is, but how effective the protection being worn is. “The ultimate goal of our research is to identify specific tasks that are always loud so we can work with ship designers to build quieter ships,” said Rous.
Keep What You Earn Lincoln Rallies Against Poor Choices Story By MC3 Jonteil Johnson Photos by MC3 B. Thomas Liston
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ailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) met at pier 1 on Naval Station Norfolk (NSN) with hundreds of Sailors from other commands for the 2013 Keep What You’ve Earned (KWYE) Rally. “It means a lot to see so many Sailors here,” said Electrician’s Mate Third Class Margaret Tate, Lincoln’s Coalition for Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) advocate. Sailors brought signs and posters supporting KWYE and other messages against common problems within the military. “KWYE’s main focus is responsibility with alcohol use,” said Tate. “However, this method of critical thinking can be applied to everyday decisions.” After a safety brief, Sailors began to walk along the pier while holding their signs high and cheering loudly. Passing cars returned the excited cheers with waves and honks. “I think this is a great way to promote KWYE because you have hundreds of Sailors marching down the street for a single cause,” said Electrician’s Mate Third Class Ronald Roark, CSADD member. “It’s more effective to have a large visual display such as this.” Members from Lincoln’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) team were also present at the rally. “Sailors who represent many of these programs also have a chance to be heard,” said Roark. “We’re all in this together to build a better Navy.” After marching for about a mile, Sailors walked a victory lap around the NSN parade field. Once finished, they had the opportunity to engage in fun activities such as a bouncy house and rock climbing, provided by NSN’s Morale and Welfare Recreation program. Water was also provided for everyone. Chief Electrician’s Mate Jason Buonomo, command
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CSADD mentor for Lincoln, said he compares KWYE’s mission statement with that of CSADD’s. “This rally is right in line with what CSADD does for the ship,” said Buonomo. “Their overall objective to keep Lincoln Sailors out of trouble is the same as CSADD’s mission.” KWYE is a Navy-wide program aimed at reminding Sailors how hard they have worked to be awarded and promoted in the Navy. It highlights how easily these achievements can be taken away if Sailors make poor decisions, such as drinking and driving or sexual assault. It also promotes constructive alternatives to drinking and ways to boost camaraderie between shipmates. Electrician’s Mate First Class Justin Waugh, a Lincoln CSAAD member, said he appreciates how KWYE can encompass so many key issues in the Navy. “It’s a great mentoring program,” said Waugh. “You get this many people together to promote good decisions and you’re bound to be heard.”
Photos of Photo by MC3 B. Thomas Liston
Photo by MC3 B. Thomas Liston
Photo by MC3 B. Thomas Liston
Photo by MCSN Jonathon Lockwood
Photo by MC3 Jeremiah Mills
the week Photo by MCSN Jonathon Lockwood
Photo by MC3 Jonteil Johnson
Photo by MC3 B. Thomas Liston
Story and Photos by MC3 Jeremiah Mills
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he Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) transportation program is successfully transporting sailors to and from work and command events, according to Lt.Cmdr. Jerome Morris, Lincoln’s weapons officer Transportation has been actively listening to command feedback and will soon be changing pick-up and drop off times at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNS) Portsmouth, Va. and the NNS Scott Annex Center. According to Morris, there are nearly 350 sailors who live in Portsmouth Va. are provided safe transportation to and from the ship as well as Sailors that live at the Huntington Hall barracks who also utilize Lincoln’s transportation system. “Punctuality is important to the success of the program,” Said Morris. “That is due to the diligence of our Lincoln Sailors who are being trained as licensed bus and van drivers.” “As long as we are given ample notification we can assist Sailors who find themselves without means to get to work or functions ranging from community relations events to command physical training sessions and even MWR sponsored activities,” said Morris. According to Aviation Ordinanceman 1st Class Petty Officer Donnie Dowell, transportation division’s leading petty officer, the division as a whole has only utilized half of their budget saving the Navy $7,000 a month in fuel expenses. That doesn’t even include the minor maintenances that are performed by Lincoln Sailors, which have ultimately saved the Navy nearly $100,000 in estimated costs. “We have to perform smartly in order to reap the benefits of proper planning and remain vigilant in and out of the workplace to keep the positive momentum that we have earned,” said Dowell. Senior Chief Aviation Ordinanceman Charlie Odom, leading chief petty officer of Lincoln’s Transportation Division, added that Lincoln Sailors in transportation are especially visible to the public and must conduct themselves accordingly. “Our Sailors are constantly in public view so they have to be aware of themselves and others at all times,” said Odom. “Transportation division Sailors perform to the best of their abilities at all times and set an optimal professional standard both on and off the road. I am proud of my crew of Sailors.”
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Play Ball! Lincoln Starts Another Inning of Softball Story and Photos By MC3 B. Thomas Liston
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he Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) began a Captain’s Cup Softball tournament with two games at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Scott Annex Center in Portsmouth, Va. July 10. Capt. Karl Thomas, Lincoln’s commanding officer, threw the first pitch to Ensign Bryan Gill, Lincoln’s ship’s secretary. The event pitted Lincoln’s Training Department against Deck Department, and Lincoln’s Engineering Department against Air Department. Deck Department played a hard fought battle against Training, winning 9-4 “We came out here hoping to win but came up a little short,” said Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brent Poyser, Training Department’s head coach. “Deck played a great game and really made us dig deep for our runs.” Engineering demolished Air Department, 22-2.The game was ended after 4 innings by a “mercy” rule. “We were firing on all cylinders this game,” said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Mark Vukovich. “Hopefully, we can play like this in our next game.” “Everyone was out here to enjoy some time away from the shipyard, boost the crew morale and see if one of these teams can dethrone Weapons Department ,” said Thomas. Engineering and Deck will advance to the next round and play against teams that have yet to be determined. “I had a lot of fun today. These events let me come out and have a good time with my department,” said Seaman Andrea Aguilar, Deck Department’s catcher. The Captain’s Cup softball tournament will continue through the month of July.
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Surface Warfare Officer
Qualifying to lead
Story by MC2 Rusty Pang
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very Sailor understands the phrase “Sailor First.”This phrase means that every Navy Sailor may have a specific trade to do, but must be ready and trained at a moment’s notice to respond to a fire, flood or disaster with basic seamanship skills. Many Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) know of these responsibilities as a result of qualifying as an Enlisted Surface Warfare or Enlisted Air Warfare specialist. However, less known to the average Sailor are the responsibilities needed to obtain the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) qualification. “The SWO program is important to the command’s mission because it ensures the ship’s safe operation underway,” said Lt. Cmdr. Javier Medina, the SWO program coordinator. “A surface warfare qualified officer, among other things, can be responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and they are the Captain’s direct representative in that capacity.” During Lincoln’s Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH), completing the SWO qualification requires that an officer spend time aboard a similar platform
or a ship with an air capability such as an amphibious assault ship. “Lincoln’s program is targeting chief warrant officers (CWO) and limited duty officers (LDO) with this program during RCOH, since many SWOs come here with their qualifications already,” Medina said. “Our focus is to ensure that an officer’s training and qualifications are in compliance with their career milestones and progression.” “This program, although not required, is essential to helping me become a well-rounded officer,” said Ensign John Davis, combat systems divisional officer. “It’s a large operational responsibility. It is more performance than knowledge based.” The task of training officers for this important qualification is not lost on Medina. “My job is to help shepherd those individuals into the program to learn the skills they need to drive the ship safely,” he said. “Those people interested in the program must plan their professional development and training. I am here to enable them through mentorship and guidance.”
Mission Possible Lincoln’s New Security Manager Story and Photo By MC3 Jonteil Johnson
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he Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) received Lt. James Yach in May and assumed his new role as command security manager. A native of Stevens Point, Wis., Yach wanted a better way of getting through college than working odd jobs, so he enlisted in the Navy 1993. “I was looking for educational opportunities and a good way to get out and see different parts of the world,” said Yach. “The Navy was my ticket to all of that.” Yach enlisted as a Fire Controlman. After eight years, his commanding officer noticed his hard work and dedication to his job and recommended him for the Seaman to Admiral Program (STA-21). “I was very surprised when I got selected for STA-21,” said Yach. “It made me feel as though all
of my hard work was worth it.” After Yach’s commissioning in 2000, he attended pilot training in Jacksonville, Fla. After completing his training Yach transferred to Lincoln May 17. Yach then assumed the role of command security manager. His duties entail obtaining shipyard access for the crew, security clearances, security investigations and the oversight of classified material stowage and management. “It’s challenging to do my job in the shipyard, because it wasn’t what I was expecting,” said Yach. Yach said he wants to bring new ideas to make life for the crew easier in terms of security. “Hopefully I can do the job effectively and help promote some changes to streamline the process of ship-wide security,” said Yach. “That should make the job easier for my successor.”