4

Greetings Lincoln Nation! It’s been one heck of month getting the ship ready to move to yards, finally! This week we retired one of the most decorated American Veterans, an American flag. After years of faithful service it was given a traditional send off. God bless you Old Glory! Big Abe also got a special visit from our boss, Rear Adm. Ted ‘Twig’ Branch. He popped in to give a big Hooyah to the crew for our outstanding accomplishment obtaining a Battle “E”. COMRELS, COMRELS, COMRELS! Lincoln is keeping the good times running by supporting the community each and every week. Take a look at the hard work and charitable deeds Abe Warriors provided to the community. Outstanding effort shipmates! Now let the warm weather commence!

Rear Adm. Ted ‘Twig’ Branch, Commander, Na-val Air Force Atlantic, visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN

72) to congratulate the crew on receiving the Naval Air Force Pacific Battle Efficiency (Battle “E”) award.

“This is the result of all the Sailors’ hard work from last deployment; 30,000 flight hours, 881 arrested land-ings and a great performance during deployment,” said Branch.

The Battle “E” is an evaluation of a U.S. Navy ship’s abilities in logistics, material, engineering, dam-age control, navigation and command and control, as well as air, surface and subsurface warfare.

After deployment, Lincoln changed homeports from Everett, Wash., to Norfolk, Va., Aug. 7 to conduct a refueling complex overhaul (RCOH).

Branch explained to the crew that RCOH is a very difficult time and it’s not typical duty for Sailors.

“This is not what many people join the Navy for,”

Branch said. “It is essential to get everything done right and as safely as possible during RCOH so no Sailors get hurt.”

Branch reminded the crew not to mix drinking and driving. Also, Branch said that alcohol abuse and sexual assault go hand to hand.

“To be successful with sexual assault prevention and response, we need to rely on Sailors to recognize the situation, being ready and having shipmates taking care of shipmates,” said Branch.

Branch concluded his comments by commending the Sailors on their hard work during last deployment and preparing to go into the ship yards.

“Congratulations on getting the Battle ‘E’, getting ready for a ship yard environment and the start to bring-ing this ship back into the fleet,” said Branch. “Keep your head up and take of each other.”

Lincoln is scheduled to move to Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipyard.

AIRLANT PReseNTs BATTLe ‘e’ To LINcoLN sAILoRsStory by MC3 Joshua WaltersPhoto by MC3 Benjamin Liston

From the Editor

8

6 10 12

Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) are currently raising funds for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief

Society (NMCRS). Lincoln’s NMCRS goal is $65,000.Lincoln conducted a NMCRS fundraiser last year

during its 2011-20012 deployment and raised $197,000, making it the top contributor for an aircraft carrier for the NMCRS for Fiscal Year 2012.

Lincoln’s NMCRS committee has been raising money through fundraisers and asking for donations at a kiosk located near the FAF quarterdeck

Sailors can donate a flat cash amount or sign up through a monthly a payroll deduction. Donations will go to help fellow Sailors and Marines around the world.

Interior Communications Specialist 1st class Henry Hernandez, an NMCRS volunteer, said he’s excited to be helping out his fellow Sailors and Marines.

“It’s really great to see the crew come together to support a good cause,” Hernandez said. “It’s also

a great feeling to help out our shipmates all over the world.”

NMCRS, a non-profit charitable organization within the Department of the Navy, depends on the contributions from its annual fund drive. Contributions are returned to service members in the form of emergency relief, no-interest loans, grants and other services. NMCRS has helped active duty and retired Sailors and Marines and their families for more than 100 years.

“NMCRS is a great program because it is Sailors taking care of their fellow Sailors through donations and charitable drives,” said Chief Religious Programs Specialist Elliot Warley, Lincoln’s NMCRS emergency relief coordinator. “It’s a program that helps Sailors out when they encounter a family emergency or crisis.”

The NMCRS fundraiser continues throughout the end of April.

Lincoln Raises Funds for NMCRSShipwide Goal of $65,000

Story and photo by MC3 Benjamin Liston

8

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) hosted a class to inform Sailors about the Seaman to Admiral (STA-21)

program, March 20. Lincoln Sailors were invited to share in the training.

STA-21 is designed to provide an opportunity for enlisted personnel who possess the qualifications to earn a commission to become naval officers. Historically the Integration Program was the predecessor of the now STA-21 initiative that was later re-established in 1994. STA-21 presently is a commissioning program in which participants maintain the benefits of an active duty Sailor while they attend the necessary schooling to potentially become naval officers.

“Sailors ought to have a goal as well as a plan to reach that goal in their pursuit of a college degree,” said retired LT David Boisselle, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Development Representative. “An academic road map devised with their mentors and or their career counselors accordingly.”

The following are the commissioning programs were combined to create the STA-21 Program, Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP), Aviation Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP), Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP), Civil Engineer Corps Enlisted Commissioning Program (CECECP) and Fleet Accession to Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) which includes Nurse Option.

“STA-21 is an excellent program for Sailors that seek a wider variety of career opportunities during and after the Navy,” said Boisselle. “It’s challenging but worth the reward.”

The STA-21 program requires a minimum score of 500 critical reading and 500 math, or an ACT score of 20 english and 21 math. The exception to this is the nuclear option, where the minimums are a composite Scholastic Aptitude Test score of 1,140 or a composite ACT score of 30. The scores for any test that was taken within three years of application are accepted as well.

“For the sake of delay between testing and score release,” said Boisselle. “It is recommended Sailors

take the tests as early as possible.”According to Boisselle by May 1 Sailors should

have their special request chit to their respective commanding officer so that by May 15 they can submit their application package to administration. Applicants must then go through an interviewer’s appraisal board and a nomination review board.

By June 13 the CO’s endorsement should be prepared for those that meet requisite standards, recommendation, and physical assessment and so forth, can submit their respective packages and await the selection boards results which will tentatively be announced October 2013.

STA-21 Offers Chance to Accelerate CareerTruman Hosts Training for Interested Sailors

Story and photos by MC3 Jeremiah Mills

Sailors attached to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) at the ship’s Light Industrial Facility (LIFAC) retired

an American flag during a ceremony held on March 22.“The flag is a symbol of our freedom, of everything

our country has gone through, all the hardships we have endured,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Michael Plocar. “We do this honorably with all the pride and integrity we can, because it’s what the flag deserves.”

The Sailors were brought to attention to begin the ceremony. Following tradition of retiring a flag, protocol was followed to honor the flag and the history behind it.

“When a flag becomes tattered, torn, faded or weathered, it is no longer considered appropriate to fly. It is no longer considered a flag,” said Plocar. “This ceremony gives the flag the dignity it deserves and shows the strength and pride our nation takes in her national symbol.”

The ceremony continued with a traditional flag retirement reading from Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Nathanael Goodwin.

“Our flag is the symbol of our country,” said Goodwin. “The blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice with which our ancestors fought in the many battles for our country. The white stands for the purity in all our hearts. It also represents the honor that each of us should show in our everyday lives. The red stands for all the men and women who have died in their service to our country, both as members of the armed forces and everyday citizens.”

As the color guard folded up the flag for the last time, Sailors were brought back to attention as the flag was retired.

Faded GlorySailors Retire Flag

Story and photos by SN Phylicia Danson

6 7

Photo by MC3 Jeremiah MillsPhoto by MC3 Joshua Walters

Photo by MC3 Joshua Walters

Photo by MC3 Joshua Walters

Photo by SN Phylicia Hanson

Chief Petty Officers and First Class Petty Officers from Nimitz-class aircraft carrier

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) cleaned up underbrush and tree limbs in a Newport News, Va., park March 15 in a community relations project.

Sailors in the ship’s CPO 365 program, 57 in all, met at Deer Park, a 50-acre park in the geographic center of the city for the cleanup project.

Deer Park has areas for picnicking and hiking as well as the only Boundless Playground in Virginia – a playground designed so children with and without disabilities can play together. In addition, the park has azaleas near the center of the park that were once considered a must-see in the spring, according to a city park ranger.

“This park used to be a haven for white-tailed deer, hence the name,” said Chief Park Ranger Rob Farrell, who helped organize the event for Lincoln CPO 365. “The azaleas used to be a reason to come to this park when they were in bloom.”

So, the patch in the middle of the park with the choked-out azaleas was earmarked to be cleared out. Lincoln Sailors ripped out vines, thorns and tree limbs surrounding the azaleas. Many low-hanging tree limbs were sawed down and carried out of the woods. At the end of the day, two parking lots were filled with

brush waiting to be trucked away. The morning’s work was meant to be both team-building and an opportunity to help out the community.

“I want to help out any way I can with events like this,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (equipment) 1st Class Jamie McLean. “I have family in Newport News, and it’s just a good idea to help keep it neat and clean.”

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (equipment) Brannon Dirkson said that he too lives in the area and is happy that he can help make the park a nicer place to visit. It didn’t hurt that Chiefs and First Class Petty Officers were working together toward that goal.

“We’re building a bond with the Firsts and Chief,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (equipment) Brannon Dirkson. “I’m glad that we can make it a little better.”

Having a day set aside for community service was a motivation for another volunteer.

“We serve the country and I think it’s our duty to serve the community, too,” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Xavier Garcia said. “It sets a good example for the civilians around us.”

“It’s nice to have them here, helping out,” Farrell said. “I think it’s just great that people who serve our country every day are taking time out to serve us here today.”

CPO 365 SailOrS Clean Park

Story and photos by MCC Aaron Strickland

10 11

Lincoln Sailors from IM-4 Division apart of AIMD Department spent their afternoon on March 15th, volunteering at Habitat for

Humanity General Store in downtown Norfolk. “With our work schedule we have every other

Friday ‘off’ so we spend these Fridays doing in rate training then we come here to volunteer after lunch for a few hours,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 1st Class Vincent Mendoza. “I am happy that we are able to come and spend our time

helping the community we both work and live in.” Habitat for Humanity is an organization whose

mission is to eliminate substandard housing in the South Hampton Roads community. The Habitat General Store will provide a steady flow of funds to help do so, offer home maintenance materials to low-income homeowners, and help preserve our environment. They also accept donations of anything that is usable, non-hazardous and not broken. ALL proceeds go towards Habitat’s mission.

“We are so excited to have a steady flow of Lincoln Sailors coming to volunteer here; this is the second time that this particular group has come to help out. They are such a great group of people we are so grateful to have them here,” said Cori Reed, Volunteer Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads. “I have been working with Habitat for Humanity since I was in college and it still warms my heart to see service members volunteering. They work ridiculous hours and still can find it in their hearts to come and serve.”

“After coming here to volunteer, I find myself wanting to do more. It is a lot of fun as well as very satisfying,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman Charmecia Mcgee.

The Habitat for Humanity General Store is beginning the process of rebuilding the store, a long process of organizing, tearing down walls and rebuilding them as groups of volunteers come through. Throughout the summer Habitat for Humanity is hoping to finish the rebuilding project while also building homes in the local community.

LincoLn SaiLorS VoLunteer for Habitiat for Humanity

Story and photos by SN Phyicia Hanson

12 13

Information provided by navy.mil

Steps To Excel On Your Next PRT

1.Wear good running shoes Basketball shoes, VANS, or the old set of New Balances’ you got eight years ago at boot camp are a poor choice. Not ony are they going to add time to your run, but prolonged use will also cause damage to your knees and back.

10.

9.

8.

7.

4.

3.

get a good night sleep.....Just as good night sleep will help your performance before an academic test, it will help your performance while taking the physical PT test.

2.

take responsibility for your Warm up

The pre-test warm up routine for your command does is probably not enough. Do a light run, stretch and knock out 20-25 sit-ups and push ups before the test

bring a toWel or pad Doing sit-ups on the concrete or wet grass is miserable. Bringing a towel or pad will keep you dry comfortable and ready to excel.

bring Water......While your command SHOULD be bringing water for everyone, they may run out or forget. Bring your own, as you’ll need it after the run.

5.

hit the head before the test.......There is no need to explain this in detail, running or doing sit ups when you need to go is miserable.6.

Work With a buddy Having a buddy to encourage you will help push out more sit-ups, push-ups and have a faster run time.

knoW the standards Knowing the minimum requirements may prevent you from failing by missing one or two sit-ups. It will also keep you from over exerting yourself right before the run.

take a pre-prt A few weeks prior to the real test take a pre-PRT with your buddy. It will let you know if there are any areas to work on and increase your confidence for the real test.

stay off supplementsand energy drinks

If Red Bull or energy drinks are not part of your normal routine, don’t start on the day of your test. Your body is not accustomed to the sugar/caffeine shock, it will probably make you sick and reduce performance.

10

Photo Illustration by Benjamin T. Liston

Story and photo by MC3 Christina Naranjo

12 THE PENNY PRESS