The Penny Press - Year in Review

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Penny Press

Welcome Aboard!

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Welcome back and happy New Year, Lincoln!

Can you believe it’s already the 2015? Now it’s time to gear up for another jam-packed year of our refueling complex and overhaul.

While we prepare for the events that will soon unfold, lets take this time to look back on 2014.

Within 52 weeks, we, the Lincoln/Newport News Shipbuilding team, accomplished some major milestones including the installation of the anchor chains and getting one-third of our communications system back to operating condition. The team also pulled together through a particularly visible milestone undocking the ship.

Here in Media Department, we strive to give you the best content possible, whether it be our monthly multimedia show “Anchored,” our Facebook photos of the week, or the Penny Press. The sky is the limit as far as what we can create and welcome your comments on any of these products.

So to our readers both old and new, welcome aboard. We’ve worked very hard on this issue, and certainly hope you enjoy how we have wrapped up 2014 in this edition of The Penny Press.

MC3 Christopher Huot, MCSA Derry Todd, Managing Editors

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CMC CORNER

Words from Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Lee Salas

Happy New Year!

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s this year begins, it seems that we always think of renewing our resolve to be better. A good place to start is by setting a few short, easily attainable goals.

Examples of this goal would include starting a new workout regime, eating healthier, adding a few dollars to the nest egg/investment/TSP allotment or beginning a new advancement strategy. Easily attainable goals give you the opportunity to succeed and breed an attitude of fulfillment.

That new advancement strategy might be as simple as finding a new way to study for exams. Find out what works best. Perhaps filling out 3x5 cards helps you learn better than reading a publication word-for-word. Or, maybe you will learn better with a highlighter in your hand while you read. For some people, writing notes while reading is effective, too. Another strategy could be to get with the shop technical expert who promoted to E4, E5 and E6 on the first try to find out what worked for that Sailor.

Adding a few more dollars towards saving for your future is a short-term strategy that literally pays long-term rewards. Five more dollars a payday in your TSP yields hundreds of extra dollars in further down the road. The good folks in personnel can walk you through changing your allotment if you would like help. Your department

financial specialist is a good source, too, along with Lincoln’s Command Financial Specialist.

After you’ve rewarded yourself for achieving a short term goal, set your sights high. Many civilian employers ask prospective interviewees about where he or she wants to be in five years, so why not ask yourself right now: What do you want to accomplish?

If it’s to promote as far as you can in five years, start charting out what it will take to produce results: advanced training, college, taking a challenging assignment or volunteering for that tough collateral duty. How does your family factor into this decision? What changes do you need to make to achieve your goal?

Is your goal to get a commission?

The Navy offers many avenues to a commission. Charge hard, talk to a career counselor, and see what works best for your situation. Have you planned all along to serve with the Navy and leave after one enlistment or one term of service? Then what are you doing today to plan for a successful move to life after the Navy?

But the best possible advice I can give you as you plan for a successful 2015 is in two parts. 1) Do right and do it from the heart. People respect, trust and follow the lead of someone who always

does what’s right; 2) Support each other as you work. You’ll rise to the top if you support those around you.

Meeting your goals at someone else’s expense only tears the organization apart and only leaves destruction behind.

You don’t have to solve it all today after putting down this column, but you DO want to start the machinery in motion to attain what you want, even if it’s only one or two steps each day toward a journey of a hundred miles.

Good luck setting new, attainable goals for this new year!

Stay safe, stay strong, and make good decisions Lincoln Warriors!

-CMC This week’s uniform notes: Blousing straps. Made of elasticize material with either a hook or Velcro fastener... Place blousing strap three eyelets down from top of the boot and fasten to boot. Tuck pant leg up under the strap to present a neat tucked in appearance. (Navy Uniform Regulations 3603.10) Also, the watch cap is NOT authorized in uniform outside the shipyard gate.

The Focus Challenge

By Chaplain Maurice A. Buford

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brand new year is upon us and typically people begin to make lofty resolutions immediately afterwards. Sometime we convince ourselves to lose weight, save money, go to the next level in the workplace or to be a better family person. Though such goals are established with pure intent and commendable, they usually come to naught.

In fact, some researchers suggest that some 60 percent of all New Year’s resolutions fail within the first few months! If this is true, the fundamental question becomes why and how can we make our dreams become a reality in 2015? The answer to this inquiry revolves around one word – focus. This ability to not allow distractions to hypnotize us, past success to intoxicate us and not allow unhealthy self-talk to sabotage us is the key. Daniel Goleman, the author of the book “Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence,” further suggests that for leaders to get results they will need three kinds of focus – Inner, Other and Outer.

“Inner focus attunes us to our intuitions, guiding values, and better decisions. Other focus smooths our connection to the people in our lives. Outer focus lets us navigate in the larger world. A leader tuned out of his internal world will be rudderless; one blind to the world of others will be clueless; those indifferent to the larger systems within which they operate will be blindsided.”

In light of this, consider incorporating the following principles in order to help sharpen our inner, other and outer FOCUS in this year.

Forget yesterday’s failures and grow forward. There is nothing we can do today to fix yesterday’s failures. Because many people refuse to accept this memo, they get comfortable feeling sorry for themselves or allow fear to forever hold them hostage.

My friend, did you not know that the mark of person is not measured by how they handle success but how they respond to adversity? Anybody can act like a winner

when everything is going their way but the real key is how we respond when our back is against the wall. Make a decision today to forget yesterday and grow better!

Outline SMART Goals. The literature suggests that those who literally write out their goals have a higher chance of reaching them than others that don’t. It’s not enough to say, “I am going to save more money this year.” Our goals need to be SMART (specific, measureable, attainable and timely.) For example, a possible SMART money goal might be to save 3000 by 31 DEC 2015. This goal has a specific amount.

It can be measured by responding to the question, “Did I save $250 this month?”

It can be attainable if a realistic budget is established and timely if it is accomplished before 2016. So if you have not already done so, take a few moments now to literally write down your SMART goals for this year. Once you finish, post them in a location where you will see them daily. This simple but powerful practice could very well be the difference maker.

Create a dream team. I am absolutely convinced that there are three types of people in our lives. First, there are the takers. These people leave you depleted, empty and will bring you down by any means necessary. Second, there are those that bring value added to your life. These people bring hope to your world, they know how to cheer you when you are down and they know how to keep your head in the game particularly in the midst of tough times. Third, there are the multipliers. These people have a gift of propelling us into our destiny. They will not allow us to settle and they know how to gently push us to the next level. As the saying goes, if you see a turtle sitting on a fence, be assured he didn’t put himself there. In like manner, if we are to come up a little higher, we must build a dream team that will bring out the best!

Understand the law of the axe. This law

suggests that if a person chops a large tree with a sharp axe only five times a day for a period of time – that tree will eventually fall regardless of the size. In other words, if we employ persistence pressure in a methodical manner for a period of time then that mountain will move! This ability to “get at it” when you feel like it and when you don’t is the discipline that will either make or break us.

Strive for significance NOT just success.

Finally, please understand that there is a difference between success and significance.

Success suggests that we achieve a desired goal and such an accomplishment will enhance only you. In contrast, significance aims at not just fulfilling a personal goal but it also helps us to elevate the team. Success is short lived. Significance echoes long after us. Success points to “me.” Significance highlights “we.” Success says look at what I did. Significance says look at what we did. Success always competes. Significance makes it a point to complete. Success is sweet but significance is sweeter!

I am told that a laser is simply light fully focused. This intense light literally has the power to cut through steel and any other object in the way. In like manner, when we make a quality decision to focus in 2015, nothing will be impossible! So my friend, allow me to encourage you today to take the focus challenge. Do so by forgetting yesterday’s failures and growing forward.

Outline some SMART goals, create a dream team, understand and employ the law of the axe. Finally, strive for significance not just success. I must warn you, however, if you take this challenge be advised that you just might change the world along the way! So dream big, don’t shrink and know that you have a date with destiny in 2015!

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January Beginning thefirstYearofRCOH

In January 2014, we welcomed USS Abraham Lincoln’s (CVN 72) first official year in RCOH. Over the course of the year, USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors and Newport News Ship-building personnel have accomplished numerous milestones to include completing 100 percent tile removal throughout the ship, to installing the anchor chain, to successfully undocking from Newport News as well as many other milestones.

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February Giving backtotheCommunity

Nearly 1,500 Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) gave their own Valentine's Day gift to the Hampton Roads region by volunteering in an all-day community relations event, Feb. 14. Lincoln Sailors volunteered at more than 40 different COMREL projects ranging from visiting local elementary and middle schools to cleaning parks to planting perennials. The all-day volunteer effort in eight different cities in the region marked the second allday COMREL initiated by USS Abraham Lincoln Sailors since the ship arrived in the area in August 2012. Since 2012, Lincoln Sailors, command wide, have volunteered more than 30,000 hours of community service in the Hampton Roads area positively impacting more than two million people.

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March

Competing forexcellence

On March 28, 2014 USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) marked the end of the first year in RCOH since the aircraft carrier arrived into Newport News Shipyard in March 2013. Just like their counterparts across the fleet, Lincoln Sailors participated in the petty officer exams, and members of the Lincoln soccer team competed in a soccer tournament at Gosnold’s Hope Park.

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April

Chief’s Birthday

On April 2, members of the Chief Petty Officer Association on board USS Abraham Lincoln celebrated the 121st anniversary of the birthday of the chief petty officer with residents and patients of the Hampton Roads VA medical center. Boatswain’s mates and quartermasters went to Fort Eustis for some hands-on in-rate training, and Sailors attended a hockey game for Lincoln Night at the Admirals.

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May

Honoring our Veterens

In May, we held our command-wide picnic, conducted COMRELs and participated in a command safety stand-down. In honor of Memorial Day USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailors participated in a wreathlaying ceremony with veterans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home. The Sailors also visited the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and Lincoln's Cottage, which sits on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement home.

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Senior Sailor of the Year:

Ship’s Serviceman 1st Class Marquita Canada Story by MC3 Ryan Wampler

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) announced its 2014 Senior Sailor of the Year at the ship’s annual holiday party, Dec 11.

Capt. Ronald Ravelo, Lincoln’s commanding officer, gave the announcement congratulating Ship’s Serviceman 1st Class (SW/AW) Marquita Canada, leading petty officer for Supply Department’s S-3 division, as the winner chosen for this year’s award.

“These four Sailors are a wonderful example of the excellent crew we have serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln,” said Ravelo of Canada, as well as the other Lincoln recipients of this year’s Bluejacket of the Year, Junior Sailor of the Year and Sailor of the Year awards.

“They embody our enduring commitment of redelivering a warship with trained warriors in October 2016.”

Although Canada was honored to receive the individual award, she credits her selection in part to the support received from her chain of command and the Sailors she leads.

“My chain of command has always been so supportive of me throughout my Navy career, not just on board Abraham Lincoln,” Canada said. “I’ve had leaders that have taught and steered me in a direction of success and I’m just so thankful for them.”

Canada hopes to use this award as a stepping stone to achieve a career goal of making chief petty officer, which will allow her even more opportunities to mentor her junior Sailors’ careers.

As advice to her fellow Sailors, Canada said, “There will be times where things are not going your way or you are struggling, but just remember not to give up. If you do the right thing all the time and do what is expected of you, it will work out in your favor.”

This integrity and persistence positioned Canada as a stand out Sailor and in 2014 she went up in front of the ship’s Senior Sailor of the Year board for further evaluation of her educational accomplishments, physical fitness standards, participation in civic and community activities along with a variety of rigorous tests of professional military knowledge, leadership, military bearing, Navy values, and current events.

Canada, with over 13 years of naval service, will now advance to the next round of competition and represent Lincoln against the best of the best in the Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic Senior Sailor of the Year selection board.

Bluejacket of the Year:

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Lucero English

Story by MC3 Brenton Poyser

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Lucero English, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), was awarded the Bluejacket of the Year for her hard work and perseverance while serving aboard.

English, who joined the Navy in May of 2013, grew up in Ruskin, Florida, and currently is serving as Air Department’s V-1 division Yeoman.

“I am very grateful and extremely honored to be named Bluejacket of the Year,” English said. “I am very blessed and hope I can continue to help Lincoln get back to the fleet.”

English joined the Navy to serve her country as well as further her career and give herself the best chance she could to be successful.

“I knew there was something else out there for me other than growing old in my hometown and doing the same old things,” English said. “The Navy has taught me to become a better leader and given me other skills such as time-management and the ability to multitask which will help me become successful in my future in the Navy and as a civilian.”

English, who is one board away from becoming dual-qualified (AW/SW), hopes to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism before her contract is up in 2018.

“Joining the Navy, I knew I would have a chance to further my education,” English said. “Now I am going to school and earning a paycheck doing the things I enjoy.”

English also serves as the Public Affairs Officer for the Junior Enlisted Association (JEA), and routinely volunteers at Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation and Preserve.

“I really want to get more people aboard Lincoln involved in the community,” English said. “Being the PAO of the JEA allows me to promote community relation (COMREL) projects and ultimately set a good example for other junior-enlisted Sailors.”

“The advice I would give any Sailor that wants to be successful is stay positive, and don’t let anyone or anything get in the way of what you want to accomplish in the Navy and in life.”

Sailor of the Year:

Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Helen Streeter Story by MCSN Patrick Maher

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) announced its 2014 Sailors of the Year at the ship’s annual holiday party, Dec. 11.

Capt. Ronald Ravelo, Lincoln’s commanding officer, congratulated Personnel Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Hellen Streeter for her selection as the Lincoln’s Sailor of the Year.

“These four Sailors are a wonderful example of the excellent crew we have serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln,” said Ravelo of Streeter, as well as the other Lincoln recipients of this year’s Sailor of the Year awards.

Streeter was excited to receive the award but wanted to make sure that her department and chain of command received the credit that they deserved for helping her.

“The Sailors that I work with and my chain of command helped me a lot,” Streeter said. “I couldn’t have done it by myself, it’s not all about me; it’s all about them.”

One of the things that played a part in Streeter being nominated for Sailor of the Year was her passion for taking on tasks outside her primary duties.

“Apart from being separation supervisor, I’m also the departmental career counselor and sponsor coordinator,” Streeter said. “Helping these Sailors come in and feel welcome in the department and in the command is a big deal because if they succeed then I succeed.”

Streeter offered advice to Sailors who are striving to one day be selected as the Sailor of the Year just as she was.

“My philosophy is to get the job done regardless of who gets the credit,” Streeter said. “A lot of people are more worried about being competitive. As long as you have the mindset that ‘I’m doing this because I enjoy doing it and it’s not all about me,’ this mentality can take you far.”

Personnel Specialist 1st Class Mishell Browlee, leading petty officer of personnel department, had nothing but good things to say about Streeter.

“Streeter comes ready to work every day and her commitment shows through her work and love of helping others around her,” Brownlee said.

“She always has a smile on her face and is willing to help whoever comes into the office with any problems that they have.”

Junior Sailor of the Year:

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Andres Jimenez Story by MCSA Derry Todd

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) announced its 2014 Junior Sailor of the Year at the ship’s annual holiday party, Dec. 11.

Capt. Ronald Ravelo, Lincoln’s commanding officer, announced Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Andres Jimenez, a New York native, as this year’s winner.

“These four Sailors are a wonderful example of excellent crew who are serving aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln,” said Ravelo referring to Jimenez as well as the other Lincoln recipients of this year’s Sailor of the Year awards.

Jimenez had previously been nominated for Sailor of the Quarter six times.

“It feels good. It has been a long time coming,” Jimenez said. “But I knew that if I kept trying, eventually I would get there. The board portion was very challenging.”

In the most recent board Jimenez added that he was up against a good friend of his, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Carlouie Claro, who is the current Junior Sailor of the Quarter.

“He made runner up but I would’ve been happy with either one of us making it,” said Jimenez.

According to Jimenez he owes a lot of his success to the support from his leadership “Out of all the third classes I’ve met throughout my years in service, he has been the most forward-thinking and has been an asset to the ship,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Shawn Wingle, Jimenez’s leading petty officer. “He is truly a model Sailor.”

Offering advice to his fellow Sailors, Jimenez said, “It’s all about coming to work with a positive attitude. If you show up and try your best everything else will fall into place.”

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June

Accomplishing Milestones In June, more than 150 Sailors were frocked to Petty Officer 3rd Class, Petty Officer 2nd Class, Petty Officer 1st Class and Senior Chief Petty Officer during a frocking ceremony at Huntington Hall, June 16. Also in June, 13 divisions of Newport News Shipbuilding successfully re-installed the port and starboard rudder aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The overhaul and installation of the rudders is considered a huge success for Lincoln’s RCOH.

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July CelebratingBravery

Two USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailors received national awareness for their heroic deeds performed July 1. Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Devon Bishop and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Jessica Jusino stormed into a a burning Newport News house saving an elderly woman’s life.

Both Sailors were definitely at the right place at the right time. Bravo Zulu! While we celebrated our nation’s independence this month, we recognized other successful milestones to include the reinstallation of the ship’s arresting gear engines three and four and the reinstallation of our anchors. The arresting gear engines underwent a year-long overhaul in Lakehurst, N.J. before being returned to Lincoln. More than 1,400 Lincoln Sailors also enjoyed Lincoln Tides Day at Harbor Park July 24.

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August BigChanges

In August, we said farewell to Capt. Karl Thomas and welcomed our new commanding officer, Capt. Ron Ravelo.

Lincoln Sailors working in the PM13 deck removal team shaved nearly $6 million off the cost of the ship’s RCOH. To honor that accomplishment, a cake-cutting ceremony was held in August to celebrate 100 percent completion of tile removal on board. Also in August, 1,700 Lincoln Sailors volunteered their time during a command-wide COMREL event at over 25 locations in the Hampton Roads Region.

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September DeckplateLeadership

In September, 23 Chief Petty Officers were honored and welcomed into the Chief's Mess. "This is one of the biggest milestones in an enlisted Sailor's career," Capt. Ron Ravelo, commanding officer, USS Abraham Lincoln said.

"Every Sailor is expected to be a leader on the deckplates, but when a Sailor becomes a chief, that is when we truly rely on them to be deckplate leaders."

"Ask the chief," is a phrase that Sailors throughout the Navy hear almost daily, but what does it mean? When someone tells a Sailor to "ask the chief" they are saying to go ask the subject matter expert, to ask someone who has been there before, to ask someone who cares about a Sailor's success.

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October FunintheFall

In October, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailors celebrated the Navy's 239th birthday, Oct. 13 by participating in a COMREL project at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C. The 4th annual CVN invitation Capt.

Tushar Tembe Golf Tournament was held and provided an opportunity for Lincoln Sailors to unwind on the golf course, and the Abraham Lincoln Family Assocation held a Harvest Festival for families at Wood’s Orchard Farm Market.

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November ReturningtotheSea

In November, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) experienced many milestones from the undocking to the Commanding Officer’s first call on board to Thanksgiving on the Floating Accommodation Facility. On Nov. 3, 2014, USS Abraham Lincoln completed a major milestone in RCOH and was returned to the water after completing a successful undocking evolution. The undocking of the ship is a significant milestone in the RCOH process. Sailors on board the Lincoln will now focus on the next phase of RCOH — the rebuilding phase.

On Nov. 19, more than 50 Sailors stationed aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln visited the Gettysburg National Cemetery to remember and celebrate the 151st anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address on this day in 1863. Lincoln Sailors participated in the annual ceremony to remember his 272-word address. On Nov. 20, Capt. Ron Ravelo, commanding officer, USS Abraham Lincoln, received the first call using the Integrated Voice Network in a telephone exchange with RCOH’s Program Manager Bruce Easterson. Lastly, on Nov. 27, Sailors standing duty on Thanksgiving enjoyed food and fellowship with their families and friends on board the FAF. This month, we welcomed our new CMC, CMDCM Lee Salas.

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December SayingGoodbyeto2014

In December, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Sailors celebrated the season at the annual holiday party at the Hampton Roads Convention Center where the 2014 Sailors of the Year were announced, which including the following: The Blue Jacket of the Year Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman (AW) Lucero English of Air Department; Junior Sailor of the Year Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class (AW/SW) Andres Jimenez of Weapons Department; Sailor of the Year Personnel Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Hellen Streeter of Admin Department and Senior Sailor of the Year Ship’s Serviceman 1st Class (SW/AW) Marquita Canada of Supply Department. We also promoted 213 of our Sailors at a frocking ceremony Dec. 5 at Huntington Hall Athletic Field and said farewell and following seas to CMDCM Gregg Weber for during his retirement ceremony at Fort Eustis.

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