INSIDE
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Frocking Ceremony
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Habitat For Humanity
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Women At Sea
Saving Navy Money
Sailor Makes First Class in Four Years By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonteil Johnson
Tucson, Arizona, native Lehi Juarez-Medina moved through life with an unwavering sense of humility and a fierce dedication for helping others, but he felt as though something was missing, so Juarez-Medina decided to take the life-changing step of enlisting in the U.S. Navy. An aviation boatswain’s mate second class, Juarez-Medina came to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) with the goal of helping others. “One of the Navy’s logos is ‘A Global Force For Good,’” said Juarez-Medina. “I know it’s an old logo, but it meant a lot to me. It basically meant I could help people on a global scale.” Before reporting aboard Lincoln, Juarez-Medina, graduated boot camp as an airman (E-3), and graduated at the top of his class in “A” school, a technical school geared at refining skills of Sailors before they join their first command. His superior performance earned JuarezMedina an early promotion to E-4 soon after he arrived aboard Lincoln. “I attribute most of my success to the people around me,” said Juarez-Medina. “With great mentors and leaders looking out for me, I’ve come a long way.” Juarez-Medina worked tirelessly to help those around him, whether they were above or below him in the chain of command. He studied constantly and advanced to E-5 on his first try. “I went into the test with (an average annual evaluation),” said Juarez-Medina. “I just studied every chance I got and surprisingly I made it. My shipmates also helped me with studying so I’m grateful.”
Once Juarez-Medina made second class, he continued his dedication to his subordinates and to the command. This led to him receiving an early promotion score on his annual evaluation, allowing him to test for E-6 a year early. After more studying, Juarez-Medina promoted to E-6 on his first try, an exceptional feat in the Navy by any measure. “Rank doesn’t mean much if you refuse to accept the responsibility of leadership,” said Juarez-Medina. “As a leader, I look out for my subordinates whenever possible and will take responsibility for their mistakes. I think it’s what makes a good leader.” Juarez-Medina’s mentor, Chief Warrant Officer Greg Collins, tasked him to write a book. He says it’s about leadership in the Navy and the need for it, but has yet to come up with a title. “It started as just an exercise from my mentor, but I quickly began to enjoy it,” said JuarezMedina. “Writing a book is hard and takes dedication, but if just one person reads this and becomes a better person for it, then I’m happy.” In his off time, Juarez-Medina spends time at the gym and is also pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Juarez-Medina said he believes humility got him very far in life. “Besides working hard and being grateful for everything, being humble is my greatest strength,” said Juarez-Medina. “It allowed me to see we all have the same opportunities in life, we just have to be willing to work hard and ask for help when we need it.”
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The Next Generation Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonteil Johnson Photos by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Young
newly advanced Sailors to wear the rank and assume the responsibilities of the pay grade for which they have been selected. More than 150 Sailors assigned to Nimitz“If I were to ask myself how I accomplished class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln so much, I’d say it was because of the people (CVN 72) were frocked to Petty Officer 3rd around me,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Class, Petty Officer 2nd Class, and Petty (Equipment) 1st Class Lehi Juarez-Medina. “I Officer 1st Class during a frocking ceremony at believe the people make you who you are.” Huntington Hall, June 16. Sailors have the opportunity to take the “It really pays off to study hard,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Kathryn Teague. in-rate advancement exam every six months; provided they receive a “promotable” evaluation “I wasn’t sure I was going to make it.” Frocking is a Navy tradition that dates back to or better. Along with evaluations, Sailors have access to in-rate study material called the early 1800s. It’s a ceremony that authorizes
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P e tt y O f f i c e r s
bibliographies. This material has everything Sailors need to know to do well on the exams, including general military knowledge. “While we are in the yards, we aren’t as operational. We lack the equipment we need to learn our jobs effectively,” Teague said. “The bibliographies give many Sailors a better chance of doing well on the test.” “Making E-6 puts me in a better position to help others,” Juarez-Medina said. “I not only gained the responsibility of a leader, but the opportunity to do a lot more for the benefit of my shipmates.”
While in a frocked status, Sailors will assume the responsibility of the rank they were promoted to but will have to wait until a later date to receive their new pay and benefits. To download the bibliographies for an upcoming exam, go to the Navy Advancement Center’s web portal on NKO at: www.nko.navy. mil/group/navy-advancement-center/exambibliographies.
Lincoln Sailors Lay Ground Work For Families In Need
Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonteil Johnson
Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Williamsburg, Va. June 18. Religious Programs Specialist 1st Class Christopher Johnson, community relations (COMREL) coordinator for Lincoln’s command religious ministries department, gathered Sailors to help Habitat for Humanity build a home. “We come out here to represent the command in a positive way, but more importantly we have a chance to help the community,” Johnson said. “It feels great to be out helping others who don’t have as much as we do.” Johnson was pleased with the turnout he received. He said he appreciated how eager Lincoln Sailors were to help the community. “In about one and a half days I had more than enough help for the COMREL,” Johnson said. “The response we got was awesome.” While in Williamsburg, Lincoln Sailors broke down cement, shoveled gravel and picked up debris, all in preparation for the foundation of a home for a family in need. “I appreciate the hard work we do,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Stephen Weyant. “It can be hard to do your job while in the
yards. This gives us an opportunity to do a little hard work and help someone in need in the process.” Johnson said the team has plans to continue the project until construction on the house is complete. “We love coming out and we plan to see this through,” he said. The Habitat for Humanity volunteer site supervisor, Paul Williams, said he loves the volunteer force Lincoln provides on a regular basis. “These guys are doing a great job and it’s a wonderful feeling to have them,” Williams said. “They’re hard workers. With their help, we’ll be able to finish this house in about three months, maybe less.” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Glenn Dower has volunteered many times with Habitat for Humanity because he loves the work they do for families less fortunate. “Habitat for Humanity has a soft spot in my heart,” Dower said. “I’ve participated multiple times and I have every intention of coming back to finish this home.” Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. According to their website, their belief is that every person should have a decent, safe and affordable home.
A Week With Lincoln
Lincoln Sailors Attend Women at Sea Symposium Story and Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Rob Ferrone
Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) attended a Women at Sea symposium June 12 in Norfolk, Va. The event covered training on everything from uniform regulations and financial advice to signs of an unhealthy relationship. Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Lisa Crocker, a native of New Haven, Connecticut, plays a big role in the Lincoln’s Women at Sea chapter. “These events are important because they give our female Sailors a forum to connect with others who may not have any other women in their department,” Crocker said. “We want everyone to have a mentor, a person they can talk to. And these meetings will offer that.” Although the audience was comprised of primarily female Sailors, males are welcome to all Women at Sea events. Lincoln’s Command Master Chief Gregg Weber encouraged more male Sailors to attend in the future. “I think what the males could learn from this is we’re all human beings and if we treat each other with respect and dignity, we’ll be a more effective force getting Lincoln out of the yards on time,” Weber said. “Male Sailors need to be better educated on the grooming standards, not only for themselves but also for females,” Weber said. “We all have the same issues whether you’re male or female. For the last 230 years the male Sailors have been able to
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get together and talk about male Sailor issues. This gives women the opportunity to discuss female issues.” Weber emphasized the importance of the training to all attendees. “Today is about giving our female Sailors, from O-5 down to E-1, a forum to discuss issues they may face in the workplace,” said Weber. “We want to better prepare Abraham Lincoln to stay in the fight and to ensure that our Sailors are able to contribute to the mission on a daily basis.” Yeoman Seaman Victoria Brausch felt like she left knowing more than she did when she got there, she said. “I feel like women get pushed under the rug a lot when it comes to our jobs,” Brausch said. “Things like this give us an opportunity to feel like we’re doing more for the command. It gives us the confidence and helps us know where we stand, and where we want to be.” The Women at Sea program aboard Lincoln has taken big strides since last year, and they hope to continue growing, Crocker said. “This symposium is dealing with the young female leaders of tomorrow’s Navy,” Crocker said. “We all need to stand strong and help each other out. If one link is weak we all break, and that can’t happen. We want everyone to know the programs available to them.”
Lincoln Sailor Saves Navy
$136,000
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Wesley T. Buckett
S ome say that luck is simply a once in
a lifetime chance. Others believe it is a combination of preparation and opportunity. When a Sailor works hard at their job, the results can yield significant personal benefits and have tremendous impact on the Navy at large. Electronics Technician 2nd Class Kyle Rushing, assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), hails from Bothell, Washington. He graduated from Inglemoor High in 2009 and began his naval career July 21, 2009. “I originally joined the Navy because I wanted money for school,” Rushing said. “I ended up making rank pretty fast, and that combined with the fact that I love my job and I’m pretty good at it is why I’m going to stay in the Navy for life.” He reported to Lincoln March 24, 2011. His role on the ship since then has been to repair circuit cards. “When circuits break on the ship they troubleshoot the repairs, bring us the card and we’ll determine if it’s fixable,” Rushing said. “If it is, we find out which part needs to be replaced. Replacing a single part can cost under a dollar, but an entire new card can cost over $100,000.” Rushing is an example of an ideal Sailor, possessing both knowledge of his rate and a hard work ethic. “Personally what makes me happy and keeps me going is hard work,” Rushing said. “I’ve never been a fan of sitting around and waiting for something to do. If the work is challenging it ends up being a lot more fun and also rewarding.
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That’s why I love my job so much.” Rushing recently received a Chief of Naval Operations Gold Disk Award from Lincoln’s commanding officer, Capt. Karl Thomas. “I got the award for creating a new test routine for a specific circuit card,” Rushing said. “It ended up saving the Navy $136,000. Now all the technicians in the Navy and Coast Guard follow my new instruction.” Along with his regular duties as a Sailor, Rushing is his department’s surface and air warfare device program assistant coordinator and the command’s surface warfare program tracker. Rushing also volunteers in the community, spreading the helpful image of the Navy around the Hampton Roads area. “I coach basketball for the kids at the YMCA between six and eight years old,” Rushing said. “I absolutely love it. It’s my favorite sport but when I was younger I never really stuck with it. It feels good passing on my love for the game.” Rushing is a dedicated Sailor who not only gains experience on the job and gives back to his community, but also takes his studies home with him in order to advance his career. “My short term goal is making first class,” Rushing said. “I’ve been reading electronic training books in order to get me closer. Studying also helps my hobby where I make my own electronic circuits and circuit cards. Reading and practicing is fun to me because it furthers my knowledge of my rate, as well as gets me closer to my degree in electrical engineering. Most of all it helps my long term goal, which is making chief.”
Happy Birthday Corpsmen!
Lincoln’s Command Master Chief Gregg Weber. Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft “Corpsmen are the most decorated rate in the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) celebrated Navy,” Boles said. “Our rate has earned 22 Medals the 116th birthday of the hospital corpsman in the of Honor, but that’s not without some of our galley of the floating accommodation facility, June brothers and sisters paying the ultimate price.” 17. The birthday continued with a ceremony The celebration included time-honored honoring fallen corpsmen since the start of OIF. traditions such as a recitation of the corpsman oath “The dog tags in the display are the tags of the and a remembrance of hospital corpsmen lost since last corpsman lost during OIF,” Boles said. “We the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). hope this is the last loss during the war.” “Corpsmen have been a cornerstone of not On June 17, 1898, Congress passed a bill only the Navy, but of all the armed forces,” said authorizing the establishment of the U.S. Navy Capt. Randall Peck, Lincoln’s executive officer. Hospital Corps. The bill was signed by President “Anytime a Marine goes downrange, there is a William McKinley. corpsman by his side ready, willing and dedicated “The legacy of the corpsman lives on to this to saving his life.” day because of our Sailors serving onboard ships The celebration started with speeches given by and downrange with Marines,” Peck said. “It’s Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Zachary Boles, Chief with great pride that we celebrate their history and Cryptologic Technician Kimberly Johnson and the history they have made throughout the years of
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin T. Liston
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Baltic Operations 2014: ‘The differences that make us great’ By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Adam C. Stapleton, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
USS MOUNT WHITNEY (NNS) -- Several U.S. Navy reservists are underway onboard 6th Fleet’s flagship, USS Mount Whitney (LCC20) to conduct Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2014, a multinational maritime exercise which takes place June 6 -21. For three reservists in particular, Cmdr. William “Russ” Lewis, Electronics Technician 1st Class Steven Lamont, and Lt. Don Collins, the experience of serving their Annual Training (AT) duty during BALTOPS proves a unique and rewarding experience. This is the second BALTOPS exercise that Lewis, an experienced submariner, has participated in. His first was in 2012, where he served in the Civil Military Affairs directorate for Strike Force NATO. “... every job is unique,” said Lewis, a Navy reservist from Chattanooga, Tennessee, who is the submarine syndicate lead for BALTOPS 2014. “You need to be flexible and figure out where you can be of the most benefit to that operation.” Lewis serves as the liaison to the german submarine operations authority to manage the undersea warfare aspect
of the exercise, ensuring 22 safe and effective training evolutions. “As a submarine syndicate lead I’m kind of in a planning role, it’s all about water space management,” said Lewis. Training events span across the full range of capabilities beginning with familiarization serials before graduating to more complex maneuvers that involve undersea, surface and air assets practicing location techniques, sonar buoy drops and acquiring targeting solutions. Behind the scenes, ensuring successful training evolutions are supported by steady communications is Electronics Technician 1st Class Steven Lamont, who serves as a high frequency (HF) transmitter expert for BALTOPS 2014. For Lamont, the exercise was a novel experience. “This is my first time serving aboard a ship,” said Lamont, a reservist from Greenville, South Carolina, whose Navy career spans 16 years. “Overall the experience of seeing other countries, seeing other ships, pulling up beside them has been great.” Lamont, like Lewis, achieved success by remaining
NORFOLK (June 20, 2014) Members of SEAL Team 18 perform a demonstration at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek for the 2014 Navy Employer Recognition Event. Selected employers were nominated by their Navy Reserve Sailor employees and invited to attend the one day event that included tours of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), a static display of aircraft and a demonstration by SEAL Team 18. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Theodore Quintana/Released)
VICTORIA HARBOR, Hong Kong (June 20, 2014) An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 is on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the ship departs Victoria Harbor after a fourday port visit. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Riggs/Released)
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flexible. “When I first arrived onboard, I wasn’t really sure where I would be working or what I would be doing... it wasn’t long before I learned exactly where I was needed and started putting my skills to good use,” said Lamont, who works to repair HF transmitters to aid in ship-to-ship communications with the 30 naval vessels participating in BALTOPS this year. “We’re working on the HF transmitters that are being used by the different countries involved to stay connected to each other... I’ve been having a good time jumping in and seeing what I can fix while we’re here,” he added. Lamont is not the only reservist who was exposed to shipboard life for the first time. “The biggest thing for me was the opportunity to get on a ship. In my entire naval career I have yet to be on a ship until now,” said Lt. Don Collins of Knoxville, Tennessee, who serves as assistant communications officer for the exercise. “I’ve wanted the chance to serve on Mount Whitney specifically, so I jumped at the opportunity to finally do that... now I collect information and update reports regarding communications between Mount Whitney and other elements involved with BALTOPS,” said Collins. Those communications span across the BALTOPS force which consists of surface, subsurface and aviation assets from 14 nations that are training together to enhance interoperability and collective capabilities to foster regional stability. Collins believes it is the differences among the force that make it great. “It is nice to be part of the differences,” said Collins. “Active and reserve; 14 different nations; different specialties - we all bring a unique element to the table. It is
DILI, Timor-Leste (June 21, 2014) Steelworker 3rd Class Lori Hill, from Houston, Texas, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, secures a fence during an engineering project at the Comoro Medical Center in support of Pacific Partnership 2014. Pacific Partnership is in its ninth iteration and is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the AsiaPacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Stephen Oleksiak/Released)
our differences that foster a new way of doing things; it’s the differences that make us great.” Upon completion of the exercise on June 21, Collins awaits another big difference to embrace - the birth of his second child. “As soon as I get back from BALTOPS, I’ve got about another two weeks until the baby comes.” Until the exercise concludes, Lewis, Lamont and Collins continue to focus on the mission. “When I go on an exercise, I’m all Navy -24 hours a day- whatever it takes,” said Lewis. The three also agree that part of every reservist’s duty while serving their AT is representing the reserves. “I think every time we go on orders, we’re a walking advertisement... I introduce myself as a reservist, I’m proud of that,” said Lewis. Not far from a whiteboard where Lamont drafted a to-do list and was leading the repair of several radios and parts, Lamont echoed Lewis’ sentiments and made it a point to showcase leadership and Navy values to junior enlisted active duty Sailors he serves with aboard Mount Whitney. “If you keep a positive attitude and do a good job it’ll be noticed,” said Lamont. The good jobs-the differences-do get noticed and are a welcome asset. “Reservists fill in gaps of expertise that are not organic to the staff,” said active duty Capt. Kirk Weatherly, BALTOPS 2014 joint operations center director. “We wouldn’t have wanted to execute BALTOPS without their assistance.” Now in its 42nd year, BALTOPS is an annual, multinational exercise with the goal of enhancing maritime capabilities across the full spectrum of military operations to support stability in the Baltic Sea.
CARIBBEAN SEA (June 13, 2014) U.S. Navy divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Company 2-1, conduct a Southern Partnership Station 2014 joint training dive with Belizean Coast Guard divers off the coast of Belize. Southern Partnership Station is a U.S. Navy deployment focused on subject matter expert exchanges with partner nation militaries and security forces in Central and South America and the Caribbean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brett Cote/Released)