PennyPress -- Nov. 9, 2012

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FROM THE EDITOR

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Hurricane Sandy

SCOOP Week

MM2 Gladden

This RCOH period may be less than four months old, but it is starting to sink in that we are going to be on land for awhile. So we might as well make the most of our time in the commonwealth, right?

What better way to focus on the job at hand than to take a “hurrication!” Big Abe enjoyed a short tug ride down to Portsmouth to avoid some nasty weather, and our Sailors spent the time at home ensuring their families’ safety. Fortunately, all we experienced were stiff winds and heavy rains.

After the storm passed, Sailors headed back to work to pick up where they left off preparing to SCOOP all the good stuff out of the ship’s frame. In other words, as Lincoln gets ready for her major renovation, all of the reusable parts and supplies must be removed before the contractors begin the Newport News phase of the big makeover in February.

Back in Norfolk, we’re dried off and still going strong, Lincoln Nation! Hurricane shmurricane, we say!

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CFCLincoln Sailors kicked off the current Command

Federal Campaign (CFC) cycle with a cake cutting fundraiser on the ship’s floating accommodation

facility (FAF) aboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 15.CFC gives service members and federal civilians

the opportunity to donate to any of more than 4,000 pre-screened charities.

Capt. Karl O. Thomas, Lincoln’s commanding officer, said the CFC is an important program because it is employee-focused, cost-efficient and effective in the community.

Lt. j.g. Heather Bliss, one of Lincoln’s CFC coordinators, agreed that it is important for Sailors to give back to their communities.

“The Navy highly encourages good stewardship, and annual CFC drives are another way the Navy supports Sailors’ involvement in being part of the greater good,” Bliss said.

Chief Cryptologic Technician (Collection) Jeremy T. Crandall, another of Lincoln’s CFC coordinators, said Lincoln Sailors are an important part of ensuring that worthy causes receive the continued funding they need.

“The importance of this campaign goes back to each service member and civilian who donates,” Crandall said. “The money donated to these charities is an integral part of their operations.”

Habitat for Humanity International, Safe Kid Worldwide and the World Wildlife Federation are a few of the many charities to which crew members can choose to donate.

Sailors who prefer to donate online may do so by visting https://www.cfcnexus.org/_cfcshr/.

Contributors who find it difficult to select a charity can leave the charity designation box blank. Their contributions will then be distributed evenly to all the various organizations supported by the campaign.

The CFC has been the uniform fundraising method for the federal service since 1971.

Lincoln Sailors Give Back

Story and photos by MC3 Zachary S.Welch

THE PENNY PRESS

Photo by MCSN Joshua Walters

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Tuggin’ OuTLincoln Sorties Out of Harm’s WayStory by MCSN Jonteil Johnson

Lincoln performed an emergency evacuation from Naval Station Norfolk to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth as a precautionary

measure, Oct 26, in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

Additionally, the ship’s floating accomodation facility (FAF) was moved to Newport News Shipyard.

Before moving the ship, Lincoln leadership implemented safety precautions to ensure the well-being of the ship and her crew.

“We did some time-critical [operational risk management] to identify the most high-risk processes to prevent injury and damage to equipment,” said Cmdr. Daniel Jurta, Lincoln’s safety officer. “On the move back up, we were able to do a more deliberate ORM analysis and provide that with the normal navigation brief.”

Harbor pilots, highly trained mariners who specialize in the local currents, came aboard to help the Lincoln crew transport the ship. They manned the tug boats and assisted the ship with speed and direction. Any time the ship is in a restricted water moving

situation, harbor pilots must be present.Cmdr. Mark Day, the ship’s navigation officer, said

the ship’s Navigation department worked closely with the harbor pilots to ensure the ship was transported safely.

“We did what we always do to prepare,” Day said. “We ran the checklist and got things ready to go on the bridge to safely navigate the channel.”

Sailors also took precautions away from the ship to prepare for the storm.

“I moved my car from a spot that I knew would flood,” said Operations Specialist Seaman Kathryn Teague. “I also bought some flashlights and batteries, and I got a case of water.”

Day said it will always be of critical importance to remain prepared for hurricanes and other natural disasters.

“Make sure you have a charged battery in your cell phone; make sure you have a full tank of gas, blankets, a flashlight with batteries and fresh water,” Day said. “These are the basics, but they can be the things that can save your life.”

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Photo by MC2 Kirk Putnam

Photo by MC2 Kirk Putnam

If ever you have to place a trouble call for a television, there’s a good chance you’ll speak to

Interior Communications Electrician Fireman Elzie Byrd.

Byrd arrived at boot camp in April 2011 and graduated IC “A” school in February 2012 at the top of his class.

“Graduating school was a really rewarding moment in my career,” he said. “I’ve never been a good student before. I’ve always been smart, just never a good student, so doing well in school really boosted my confidence and got me excited to start going to college.”

A family man, Byrd’s need to take care of his wife and children sparked his decision to join the Navy.

“My life as a civilian was fast and crazy,” he said. “I was working two jobs to try to make enough money for my family. I needed and wanted a change for me and my family.”

Byrd said he keeps a very positive attitude about his job and takes great pride in his work.

“I really enjoy my job. I get to work on the ship’s TVs, especially on deployment. That really helps morale, and I like to get to have that kind of positive effect on the ship.”

Byrd hopes to become a 3rd class petty officer soon, to take control of his work center and to continue to increase his value to his division and the Navy. Story and photos by

Story and photosby MCSN Zachary Anderson

ICFN Elzie Byrdwhat’s

storyYOUR?

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Lung cancer is the second-most common cancer in the United States. According to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, most lung cancer cases are diagnosed

after tumor growth has spread beyond the lungs, making the disease that much more difficult to treat. However, the survival rates are increasing as researchers improve diagnostic techniques and treatment options.

Throughout November--Lung Cancer Awareness Month--Lincoln’s Medical department is working to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of this disease. Medical also offers individual consultations and smoking cessation assistance year round.

“In the fight against lung cancer, we heavily promote the importance of quitting smoking,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Arthur Thomas. “We hit on several key points, such as the health and finance issues, that normally hit home with most people. The number of people diagnosed with lung cancer per year is frightening. We already risk our lives serving our country-- no need to die over a smoke.”

Lung cancer is thought of as the “smoker’s disease,” the result of smoking for several years. However, this is not always the case. Many people have been diagnosed with lung cancer following exposure to asbestos, a mineral used by the U.S. military for years as an isolator and chosen for its resistance to heat and flame. Since 1980, the Navy has banned asbestos, using less hazardous materials and making ships safer for Sailors throughout the fleet.

“We’re taught to cover all our bases when dealing with any type of cancer, especially lung cancer,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Blaine Grandfield. “We’re constantly around potentially hazardous materials, so if we begin to see the signs, we take no chances of missing anything.”

Lincoln’s Medical department team highly encourages the use of the START program to quit smoking:

S = Set a quit date. T = Tell family, friends and co-workers that you plan to quit. A = Anticipate and plan for the challenges you’ll face while quitting. R = Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and work. T = Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit.

Though taking the first step to quitting smoking is never easy, the end result (a long and healthy life) is well worth the effort.

Lung Cancer AwarenessStory by SN Phylicia Sorenson

U.S. Navy photo by MCSA Karolina Martinez

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Lincoln, as you probably know, is preparing for an upcoming refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) in the Newport News Shipyard. Her first step toward the shipyard refurbishing process is the Shipboard Coordinated

Onload and Outfitting Plan (SCOOP). And everyone assigned to the ship is participating in the SCOOP process.

Abe Sailors are SCOOPing to prepare the ship for the contracted shipyard workers to be able to properly refit the ship and to protect equipment from damage during RCOH.

SCOOP has two parts: pre-RCOH and post–RCOH. During the pre-RCOH period, the goal is to remove as much as possible from the ship. The post-RCOH period puts everything back onto the ship.

The two categories of items pulled off the ship are storeroom items and operational space items. Storeroom items include anything that is kept on the ship in storage, and the operational space items are the chairs, desks and other equipment kept in the day-to-day working areas. Contractors are taking the offloaded materials to various warehouses in the area to be stored until RCOH is completed.

SCOOP is a complex project with a tight schedule. So far, the ship is running ahead of schedule and plans to remain ahead by clearing out 53 spaces per day.

Lincoln’s goal is to complete SCOOP by Dec. 11. Once SCOOP is complete, the ship will continue preparing for RCOH throughout the holidays. And then in February, the ship will move to the shipyard, and RCOH will begin.

What is SCOOP?Story by MCSN Zachary Anderson

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Photo by MC3 Zachary Welch

Photo by MCSA Kayla King

Photo by MCSA Kayla King

U.S. Navy photo by MCSA Karolina Martinez U.S. Navy photo by MCSA Josh Walters

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Photo by MCSA Kayla King

Photo by MCSN Joshua Walters

Photo by MCSA Kayla King

Even though deployment is over, the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) program is still alive and well. It will continue

throughout Lincoln’s refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) period.

Sailors receive ESWS certifications when they demonstrate a well-rounded, working understanding of the departments and systems critical to Lincoln’s operation. Before anyone is able receive the pin, they must spend hours and hours studying and under instruction to ready themselves to pass a multiple-choice exam and two oral boards conducted by ESWS-qualified Sailors.

To get started, you first have to complete all the prerequisite qualifications for Sailors at your pay grade. Once those quals are complete, prospective surface warriors receive their ESWS booklets, beginning an adventure in signature gathering and space walkthroughs. Qualified Sailors provide instruction in several discipline areas and sign off

once the Sailors have demonstrated a minimum of understanding relative to the topics.

When the books are completely signed off, Sailors are eligible to take the test. When the test is passed, walkthrough cards are issued and taken to individual departments for another round of knowlege demonstration.

Then the fun part begins: hours of studying are put in to preparing for the “murder” board, which your departmental ESWS coordinator will sign you up for when you are ready. After passing the murder board, you’ll need to study even more to prepare for the final board, the last step before you can route your paperwork and ask your favorite surface warrior to pin you in front of your entire department.

“Don’t get discouraged while you’re getting your pin,” said Machinist’s Mate 1st Class AnthonyVega, one of the program’s coordinators. “The process is meant to challenge you, and if you fail the test or the boards, keep pushing.”

Story by MCSN Joshua Walters

Abe’s ESWS Program

The ESWS exam sign-up sheet is located on the FAF oustide the training classroom

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Tests are administered Mondays at 0900

Photo by MC3 Kathleen L. Church

up and runningis

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up and runningSailors and family members

remembered Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Alonzo Gladden Jr.,

Nov. 8, during a memorial service on the ship’s forecastle.

Gladden was shot and killed, Oct. 24, while on leave in Baltimore.

Alonzo Gladden was born to Alonzo Gladden Sr. and Donna Matthews-Scott, August 23, 1988, in Baltimore.

In 1996, Gladden and his family moved to Greensboro, N.C., where they lived for five and a half years. There, he continued his education and became a member of the Boy Scouts of America. In 2001, Gladden and his family moved to Baltimore. While in middle school, he consistently made the honor roll and achieved great academic success, including induction to the National Honor Society. Gladden’s academic achievements led to his acceptance to Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, where he graduated with honors in 2006.

Gladden joined the U.S. Navy in November 2007. He entered Recruit Training Command and started his path toward becoming a nuclear-trained machinist’s mate. He reported to Charleston, S.C. in January 2008 for

his nuclear training at the machinist’s mate ‘A’ school at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command and the Nuclear Power Training Unit. He successfully completed all three rigorous courses of study, was promoted to third class petty officer, and graduated in January 2009.

“The Navy quickly noticed the natural leadership abilities of Petty Officer Gladden, and he was constantly put into leadership positions,” said Capt. Karl O. Thomas, Lincoln’s commanding officer.

Gladden reported to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in July 2009. He quickly qualified on his first watch station and became an immediate front runner in Reactor Mechanical Division. His outstanding work ethic and personality made him a natural leader. He made his first of two deployments to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility and completed his watchstanding qualifications. Gladden’s drive for success, reliability, unsurpassed intelligence and utmost integrity made him a great mentor and role model for Reactor department Sailors. As a result, he was hand-selected to be Reactor Mechanical division’s representative for Reactor Training division.

Gladden earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualifications, clearly demonstrating his broad depth of knowledge. Additionally, he was one of only three second class petty officers on the ship to qualify as propulsion plant watch supervisor.

Gladden’s sense of humor, intellect and willingness to debate everything enabled him to touch the lives of everyone in the department and many more throughout the command. He was a mentor, a shipmate, a friend, a beloved son and a Sailor we were all privileged to know and serve beside. He will be missed, and he and his family will always be in our thoughts.

“He had the ability to always bring a smile to your face,” said Electronics Technician 2nd Class Brian Spurlock. “He was always pushing his fellow shipmates to be better.”

Alonzo Gladden Jr.1988 - 2012

How to preventCREDIT CARD FRAUDStory and photo by MC3 Christina Naranjo

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