Chief petty officers (CPO) and CPO selectees assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) joined hundreds of other CPOs and selectees during a CPO 365 Phase II training event at the USS Wisconsin (BB 64) and Nauticus museum in Norfolk, Va., Aug. 18.

The trip was part of the six-week season during which CPO selectees will learn about the Navy's history and heritage, leadership skills, and the power of being part of the chief's mess.

"These events show the strength of the chief's mess," said Lincoln Command Master Chief Lee Salas. "When you gather all the chiefs from the local area and you put them in one place, you see the power that they have."

Events like this heritage trip are not only meant to show the power of the chief's mess, but to also teach the selectees about the unity of the mess.

"When I was selected I was stationed in Japan. I did not have the opportunity to go through as many heritage trips and be as involved with other messes throughout the area because I was in a small town and there were only three of us who made it," said Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Tracy Moore. "Having each mess come together on the Wisconsin is an awesome idea. It shows unity and what the chiefs stand for."

The chief selectees heard words of wisdom from current and retired chiefs, such as the seventh Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Duane R. Bushey and U.S. Fleet Forces Command's Fleet Master Chief Charles Clarke.

"To have the fleet master chief and MCPON Bushey come here to address the selectees was great," said Chief (select) Electronics Technician Brian Achilles, assigned to Lincoln. "For them to take the time to be here shows the value of joining the chief's mess. We have been learning this Navy heritage since day one in boot camp and I look forward to being here next year; but next year as a chief to pass on what I was able to gain here today."

At the end of the event, Salas spoke with the selectees about how their hard work got them to the point they are at now.

"It's a great time when we advance any of our Sailors; especially our chief selectees," Salas said. "It's a great feeling when you see that list come out and you see that they got it right."

Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz-class to undergo a refueling complex overhaul (RCOH), a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn72/