Approximately 600 Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) gathered at the Hampton Roads Convention Center for the E-4 advancement exam, March 19.

Earlier this month Abraham Lincoln Sailors took the E-5 and E-6 exams at the Hampton Roads Convention Center. Sailors are provided with rate-specific study material referred to as bibliographies, and rely on senior leadership for hands-on training to better their chances of being successful on the exam.

"We train our Sailors based on the bibliography," said Operations Specialist 1st Class Brenda Smith. "[While in the shipyard,] we also try to get as many Sailors as we can to go temporary assigned duty (TAD) to other ships. The hands-on experience with their rate is really what makes a difference."

The exam season is important to all Sailors, but for some Sailors, advancement would be the next step to a successful career in the Navy.

"Since I just got married, I'm really hoping to advance this cycle," said Electrician's Mate Fireman Darius Henton. "I feel like this is the first step towards a career in the Navy."

Command Master Chief Lee Salas, Abraham Lincoln's CMC, made an appearance at the exam to reinforce to his Sailors the importance of the advancement exam.

"The most rewarding part of my job is when the advancement results come out," Salas said. "It's so rewarding to see the Sailors' hard work pay off, and watch them move up the ranks."

Lincoln is currently undergoing Refueling and 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. 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/.