Welcome Aboard! USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) WELCOME BACK LINCOLN NATION! I too once thought the rank of petty officer sounded strange, It’s finally advancement season almost derogatory. That made and I’d like to say congratulations me curious, and I decided to do a to everyone who was promoted. little research into where the term A few nights ago, I was speaking “petty officer” came from. to my best friend on the phone. He’s never served and the According to history.navy.mil, the majority of his exposure to the word “petty” in petty officer can military comes from myself and be traced back to the French war movies. He asked me how word petit (pronounced similarly work was going, so I told him to its English counterpart) about my recent promotion to meaning small. Over the years petty officer 3rd class. the word came to mean minor, secondary or subordinate. In “Petty officer? I guess it’s harder medieval England and later nearly to make fun of than your previous village had several “petite”, “pety” rank, but it still sounds pretty or “petty” officials/officers who funny,” he laughed. “Makes were subordinate to major officials you seem like a sniveling, such as the steward or sheriff. fickle policeman or something. Congratulations on your petty During this time, British warship promotion, I guess.” officers also had assistants or “mates.” Since the early seaman He was just giving me a hard knew petty officers in their home time, but it did remind me that villages they used the term before I became indoctrinated to describe the minor officials and learned a plethora of other aboard their ships. Although there strange terms all of which were petty officers in the British made the word “petty” pale in navy in the Seventeenth century comparison with their weirdness, and perhaps earlier, the rank did
Petit Officer
not become official until 1808. Petty officers were a part of our navy since its conception though they did not adopt a uniform or rank insignia until 1841 when they began wearing a sleeve device showing an eagle perched on an anchor. In 1866 they began wearing the rating badges. In 1885 the Navy began recognizing 3 classes of petty officers—first, second and third, and soon adopted a similar rank insignia that we use now. The final petty officer insignia, the one we use still to this day, came about with the establishment of the chief petty officer rank in 1894. I think it’s kind of interesting that these titles go as far back as 500 years or more. Maybe petty officer doesn’t sound as traditionally cool as something like Maximum Laser Gun Officer 3rd class but at least we have history on our side.
Editor MC3 Derry Todd
IN THIS ISSUE
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Some of our favorite photos from around the command, including command PT, cleaning stations and more.
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Newport News leadership, Lincoln Sailors and veterans gather to pay homage to Veteran’s Day.
Lincoln frocks 216 Sailors and discusses safety issues during the command’s winter safety stand down.
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Seeking Nominees for Exceptional Leadership Awards From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Chief of Naval Personnel has announced Nov. 17 the Navy’s Office of Outreach and Engagement (OPNAV N134) is currently accepting nominations for the 2016 Captain Joy Bright Hancock and Master Chief Anna Der-Vartanian Leadership Awards. The Captain Joy Bright Hancock and Master Chief Anna Der-Vartanian Leadership Awards is presented annually to recognize and honor the inspirational and visionary leadership of Navy service members whose ideals and dedication foster a positive working environment, while reinforcing and furthering the integration of women into the Navy. Nominations are broken into five categories: senior officer (O4 and senior); junior officer (O1-O3); Limited Duty officers and Warrant Officers (W2-O3E); senior enlisted (E7-E9) and junior enlisted (E5-E6).
One award winner will be chosen for each category. Nominees should be mature leaders who have shown exceptional leadership over the span of their career and have overcome challenges while serving. Nominees should have demonstrated inspirational, innovative and imaginative leadership, both on and off-duty, as well as professional accomplishments and community involvement. Candidates shall be nominated by their commanding officer (CO) or Officer-inCharge (OIC). The nominating command’s immediate superior in command (ISIC) shall provide an endorsement prior to nomination submission. If an ISIC receives multiple nominations, the ISIC shall endorse and forward only one nomination for each category. Nomination packages shall include the following:
A. ISIC endorsement; B. CO or OIC endorsement; C. Nomination write-up (shall not exceed three pages in length); D. Nominee’s biography (shall not exceed one page in length); E. Most recent official military photo in uniform; and F. Command point of contact’s name, e-mail address and phone number. Nominations are open to both active and Reserve service members. Applications are due no later than Feb. 17. For more information about the Captain Joy Bright Hancock and Master Chief Anna Der-Vartanian Leadership awards contact LT Ingrid Radionoff at (703) 6045077 or via email at ingrid.radionoff@navy.mil.
USS Harry S. Truman Deploys By MCSN A.O. Tinubu, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) said their goodbyes to friends and family prior to getting underway on a normally scheduled deployment, Nov. 16. The current deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations in the U.S. 6th and 5th Fleet areas of operation. Truman, serving as the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), completed a composite training unit exercise in September prior to deployment. “The Strike Group has operated and trained extensively to excel in complex and challenging scenarios designed to ensure deployment readiness,” said Rear Adm. Bret Batchelder, commander
Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8. “We are ready. Our Sailors are dedicated, skilled and tremendously enthusiastic serving our nation.” Many Sailors aboard Truman are experiencing deployment for the very first time. “I’m so excited to finally be underway,” said Ship’s Serviceman Seaman J. A. Rodriguez. “I’ve never been outside of the country before, so I’m looking forward to seeing different countries and experiencing other cultures.” Maritime security operations set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. The operations also deny international terrorists use of the
maritime environment as a venue for attack or to illegally transport personnel, weapons or other material. “We’ve reached the point we have trained for - deployment,” said Captain Ryan Scholl, Truman’s commanding officer. “We are ready and you can trust we will do a spectacular job.” Truman can travel in excess of 30 knots, and has a crew of approximately 3,000. With the embarked air wing and staffs, the number rises to about 5,000. HSTCSG consists of Harry S. Truman, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, USS Anzio (CG 68), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Gravely (DDG 107).
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Lincoln Joins Newport News Leadership to Honor Veter ans Story and Photos by MC3 Ciarra C. Thibodeaux
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s the nation pauses to remember those who have served in the armed forces, Sailors from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) were part of a Veterans Day ceremony at Victory Arch in Newport News, Virginia, Nov. 11.
The ceremony, hosted by The American Legion Post #25, included keynote speaker Capt. Ron Ravelo, Lincoln’s commanding officer, who addressed the crowd of veterans
and members of the Newport News community. Among the distinguished attendees were State Senator John Miller, delegates and members of the Newport News City Council, Newport News Mayor McKinley Price and Police Chief Richard W. Meyers. Cadets from the Menchville High School USAF JROTC provided the color guard and laid wreaths during the ceremony, and the Braxton-Perkins Post 25 Brass Ensemble provided the musical accompaniment. “Today’s U.S. military is perhaps the most sophisticated and technologically advanced in our nation’s history. But we’re the best in the world because of strength and inspiration of those who’ve gone before us,” Ravelo said. In his remarks Ravelo noted the historical significance of Victory Arch, the location of this morning’s ceremony, a well-known monument
near City Hall in Newport News. The original arch was erected near the banks of the James River in 1919 to welcome troops returning from WWI, and the arch as it stands today was constructed to serve as a memorial to the men and women of the armed forces from the Virginia peninsula who served our country.
Ravelo went on to acknowledge the significance of Newport News Shipbuilding, a “crown jewel” of our nation.
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“The Sailors and shipbuilders you see in Newport News represent the enduring partnership between the U.S. Navy and this great community,” Ravelo said. “There is presently no other shipyard on this planet that can do what these folks do daily.” There are currently four aircraft carriers in the Newport News Shipyard going through very unique periods of their life cycle. The USS Enterprise (CVN 65), America’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is undergoing her inactivation after more than 50 years of service to this country. The Lincoln is more than halfway through her Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH), a midlife availability that will ready her for the next 25 years of service. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is in her final stages of construction and testing and construction is just beginning on the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79). In attendance was State Senator John Miller, delegates and members of the Newport News City Council, Newport News Mayor McKinley Price and Police Chief Richard W. Meyers. “Ceremonies like this are important because they allow us to reflect on those who have served our country at home and abroad sacrificing to preserve our way of life. As Thomas Jefferson said, ‘The price of freedom is eternal vigilance,’” Ravelo concluded. “Veterans, you represent this eternal vigilance. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.”
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ADM. JAMES CALDWELL VISITS NEWPORT NEWS SAILORS STO RY AN D P H OTOS BY M C3 AARO N KIS E R
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dm. James Caldwell, Jr., director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, visited the Newport News Shipyard (NNS), Nov. 16, to speak to Sailors assigned to ships and submarines in construction or maintenance periods at NNS. This was the first time Caldwell visited NNS since being appointed director of the program. As part of his visit, he addressed Sailors and shipbuilders in the Virginia Class Submarine Consolidated Facility. During his speech, Caldwell mentioned the importance of getting warships out into the fleet and the significant impact they have on international security. “Having an increased naval presence is important to the world,” Caldwell said. “We can help calm conflicting nations by having ships in areas they’re needed in.” Caldwell touched on the fact that, historically, having a strong Navy was crucial during the early year’s of our country, and highlighted that today’s modern fighting force comes from proud traditions of naval service. “Water served as protection for our budding nation,” Caldwell said. “It helped protect our trade and invested interest in commerce when our nation started.” While the admiral spoke, Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Krystal Clark, assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), listened along with many other Sailors, and shared the impression his words had on her. “I’ve always felt that the U.S. has had a long history of excellence, and hearing the admiral talk about it makes me proud to be a Sailor,” Clark said. “By talking to us about the importance of our jobs, it helps me realize the gravity of the position we’re all in. I keep in mind ship, shipmate, self.”
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LINCOLN HOSTS FALL BLOOD DRIVE S STO RY AN D P H OTOS BY M C3 AARO N KIS E R
ailors aboard the Nimitz class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) held a blood drive at Huntington Hall in Newport News, Va., Nov. 13, to support the Armed Forces Blood Program (ASBP). The ASBP offers a front-line supply of blood to service members in need. This is the third blood drive that Lincoln has participated in since entering its Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH). Ninety-seven Lincoln Sailors registered to donate blood and 72 were actually able to donate. These donations will have a positive impact in the lives of service members who may someday need this blood. The two previous drives held this year had 162 registrations and 123 donors.
LincolnSailors Attend Cableway Training Course
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ailors assigned to Nimitzclass aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) attended the cableway improvement class at the Virginia Advanced Shipbuilding Carrier Integration Center (VASCIC), in Newport News, Va., Nov. 2-6. “This class gives Sailors a chance to learn what Production Management 17 (PM17) is doing right now,” said Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Rodger Stokes, a course attendee. “With me being a part of the PM17 team, any help is better than no help. These Sailors have the chance to actually see what we do, what’s out there, and what they can do to make the ship better.”
STORY AND PHOTO BY MC3 CIARRA THIBODEAUX
Once a Sailor has attended the course and is certified, they are able to do cableway improvement work for a lifetime. This allows Sailors to do certain shipboard jobs that would normally be outsourced to contractors. “It costs about $2,000 for a civilian to go through this course, and these Sailors are able to attend it for free,” said Paul Estella, a senior consulting field engineer who teaches the class. “The knowledge that Sailors gain from the class helps keep the ship and shipyard safe.” The course is offered four times a year. Sailors of all rates and ranks are eligible to attend.
LINCOLN HOLDS 2015 WINTER SAFETY STAND DOWN Story by MC1 Leeanna Shipps Photos by MC3 Robert Ferrone and MC3 Ciarra Thibodeaux
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we are here to support them,” said Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Kevin Snow, a Victim Advocate on board Lincoln.
wo-hundred and sixteen USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailors were advanced to their next pay grades during the command’s safety stand down at the Hampton Convention Center, Dec. 3. “The
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Yeoman 2nd Class Robin Dean commented on what the safety stand down means to her.
an together,” Ravelo said. “The way we plan these safety stand downs is they are timed at points in the year, points in the ship’s life to put out some core information.
acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication that our Sailors have undertaken to advance, not only up in pay grade, but also in responsibility,” said Lincoln’s Command Master Chief Lee Salas. “Advancement is also more than just advancing a pay grade, but it is also the attainment of Sailors’ career goals.” Commanding Officer, Capt. Ron Ravelo, discussed the importance of gathering the entire command to reflect on command-level and safetyrelated issues. “The significance of the safety stand down is that it provides an opportunity to get the entire crew
He also stated that 2016 is going to be a busy year for Lincoln and her crew. He wants his Sailors to walk away confident in the crew move aboard process, intentional about their offduty decisions and committed to redelivering Lincoln to the fleet in the fall of 2016.
Guest speaker, Senior Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Sonya Best, Lincoln’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team lead, introduced Command Victim Advocates, and encouraged intervention through strong leadership and bystander intervention. “Everyone gets involves in their day to day jobs and may not know who to talk to report sexual assault. This is our opportunity to show the crew that we are out there, we do exist and
“We want to know what’s going on with crew move aboard, the results of the command climate survey, sexual assault prevention, and safety overall for the winter to make sure we are safe at home,” Dean said. On display during the event various command program coordinators had material for the Sailors to take with them as they depart. This included Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Motorcycle Safety, Crew Move Aboard, and Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor.
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Reflections from
The Gettysburg ByAddress Chaplain Moe Buford this is the interrelated structure of reality.”
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wonder if the namesake of this warfighting ship really understood the depth and breadth of those brief but brilliant two-hundred and seventy-two words that were written on the 19th day of November, 1863.
As I reflect upon that master piece called the Gettysburg Address, there seems to be three distinct historical themes that prophetically speaks to our now. Consider the first principle of the 16th President of these Untied States of America – the proposition that all men are created equal. This notion of equality is paramount to our Republic. Why? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. answers this question best when he said, “… all mankind is tied together; all life is interrelated, and we are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. For some strange reason I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. And you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be -
In other words, President Lincoln innately understood that America could not actualize her potential until all of her citizens fully experienced the cornerstone of our country – liberty. The second principle that can be abstracted from the Gettysburg Address is the fact that a portion of the battlefield was dedicated to those that gave their lives so that nation might live. I believe each generation has a responsibility to give honor to whom honor is due.
The final principle that can be lifted from the Gettysburg Address revolves around our slogan – “...and that government
of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” So the question before us now becomes how can the government of the people, by the people, for the people guarantee that we shall not perish from the earth? Lincoln provides an answer to this question when he said that, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedom, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” If this is true, then on the anniversary of the Gettysburg Address we should remind ourselves that true freedom is not free. On the contrary, it requires sacrifices. It requires a re-dedication to character development. It requires a re-commitment to family. It requires a renewal of spirituality. It requires a rekindling of excellence and yes it requires us to remember the American Spirit that moved our founders to write So at the end of the day Lincoln Nation, never forget that it is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought at Gettysburg have thus far so nobly advanced. The torch has been passed, and the mantle of leadership now rest upon us. What will we do with this moment?
The U.S. Armed Forces Blended Retirement System
At a Glance Saving with the New Blended Retirement System
Today’s Retirement System:
The FY16 National Defense Authorization Act provides our military force with a modernized retirement plan built for retirement savings. Beginning in 2018, our service members can gain
automatic and matching Thrift Savings Plan contributions as well as mid-career compensation incentives plus a monthly annuity for life. All service members under
Annuity 2.5% x Years Served x Retired Pay Base after completing 20 years of service
the current system are grandfathered into today’s retirement system.
2 Continuation Pay
1 Automatic and
Matching Contributions Seen immediately
You Contribute
0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5%
DoD Auto Contribution
1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%
3 Annuity
Received once you complete 12 years of service
DoD Matches
DoD Total
0% 1% 2% 3% 3.5% 4%
1% 3% 5% 7% 8.5% 10%
The DoD automatically adds 1% of your basic pay to your Thrift Savings Plan after 60 days of service. You’ll see matching contributions at the start of 3 through the completion 26 years of service, and...
You’re fully vested— it’s yours to keep—at the beginning 3 years of service and goes with you when you leave.
x 2%
You’ll receive a cash payment at the completion of 12 years of service if you’ve made the choice to stay in uniform for 4 more years. Active Component—2.5 months of basic pay Reserve Component —0.5 month of basic pay
Options for Collecting Your Retirement Pay Active Component
Reserve Component
Full retired pay
Full retired pay beginning at age 60*
or
Lump sum with reduced retired pay
x Years Served
Retired Pay Base
Calculate your retired pay base by averaging the basic pay of the highest rank you held for 36 months. You’ll gain this monthly annuity for life after completing 20 years of service.
Effective Date of the New System A fter January 1, 2018,
you’ll be automatically enrolled in the Blended Retirement System (BRS)
Your Retirement System If you joined the service...
on the date the service member begins receiving retired pay until reaching full retirement age.
Gained after completing 20 years of service
A fter January 1, 2006,
but before January 1, 2018 you’ll have the choice to enroll in the Blended Retirement System or remain in today’s current retirement system
B efore January 1, 2006,
you’ll be grandfathered and remain in today’s current retirement system
* Could be earlier based on credited active/inactive service
Additional information coming soon. Sources: Sections 631, 632, 633, 634, and 635 of the FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, passed in both chambers of Congress.