Advancement in the Navy can be a challenge, a challenge that some Sailors take on full force and tackle. For one Sailor assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) she did just that and went from an E-1 to an E-6 in just four years, an accomplishment that can take six to eight years.

Machinist's Mate 1st Class Nadia Morales, assigned to the Engineering Department aboard Abraham Lincoln, accomplished this amazing feat and attributed it to a lot of hard work and dedication.

"As an engineer, there is no time for rest especially during back-to-back deployments," said Morales. "There's PMS, corrective maintenance, back-to-back watches, qualifications - all of which was an opportunity to learn, grow as a Sailor, and advance."

Morales found her motivation to join the Navy from her father, a former Marine.

"My father was my inspiration," Morales said.

With this kind of motivation and advancement speed the sky is the limit for Morales. Making E-6 in four years opens up doors to put on chief petty officer sooner than some as well as possibly making the jump from an enlisted Sailor to a chief warrant officer later on down the road.

"My mind is definitely set on becoming chief within the next year and a half," said Morales.

Not only has Morales advanced in pay grades, she has also advanced her educational pursuits. With an associate degree in Exercise Science, a Bachelor's in Business Administration, she has set her sights on her MBA.

"I enjoy the Navy and its endeavors," said Morales.

Morales reflected on setting and accomplishing goals, which has guided her through her naval career and advises other Sailors to take on more responsibility.

"I would tell them to set goals and accomplish them one at a time. There are so many opportunities within their division, department, command, and Navy at its entirety," Morales said. "Sailors are tasked only a certain amount of responsibility, but it's up to them to take on more and prove themselves. They should all be working on a pay grade ahead. Knowledge is power."

Through all of her hard work and motivation Morales will soon transfer to Naval Station Great Lakes to become a recruit division commander. This gives her the opportunity to instill the same motivation and dedication into the newly enlisted Sailors going through the Navy's only boot camp.

Abraham Lincoln is currently undergoing refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz class to undergo an RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone.

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/.