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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Yeoman 3rd Class Paul Allen, a Sailor assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), dared to hold his reenlistment from the top of a 310-ton crane overlooking the carrier and Newport News Shipbuilding, April 24.
A reenlistment is not an unusual thing to witness while one is serving in the United States Navy. They are a special occasion for everyone involved and often they are in a unique place of meaning to the person who is reenlisting.
"I chose to reenlist above the Abraham Lincoln because I'm the type of person to set my own footsteps and not follow in someone else's," said Allen. "I wanted to do something new and exciting, something that to my knowledge has never been done before."
The idea to reenlist on top of the crane wasn't his idea alone. When two people who are excited to work together decide to put their heads together amazing things can happen.
"I was honored to have been asked to reenlist YN3 Allen," said Lt. Cmdr. John Leitner, administrative officer assigned to Abraham Lincoln. "He's one of my go-to Sailors and an absolute superstar."
We actually came up with the idea to reenlist on top of the 310-ton crane together. We were brain-storming on good places to do his reenlistment, and that monster of a crane came to mind."
Allen approached Leitner to reenlist him because not only did he know how excited Leitner would be to do it but because he has been a great mentor.
"I came to him to be my reenlisting officer because he had been a great teacher as far as the rate goes and just overall a phenomenal department head," Allen said. "He jumped at the opportunity to reenlist me and asked if I had a location in mind, before I knew it we were 19 stories above the dry dock and it was amazing. He was the reason and inspiration for the choice of the crane."
This wasn't Leitner's first time being the reenlisting officer and it will probably not be his last. He takes great pride in reenlisting Sailors no matter the location.
"I have conducted over 50 reenlistments since being commissioned in 2000," Leitner said. "Every Sailor's reenlistment has meant the world to me, no matter the venue. From ceremonies as simple as just me and a Sailor in my office to reenlisting a Sailor on the winner's circle platform at a stock race, they've all been special. It's truly an honor that I take seriously."
Leitner added that whether you are the Sailor being reenlisted or the officer conducting the ceremony, it holds special meaning to all involved in the occasion.
Lincoln is currently undergoing a refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News.
Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz-class to undergo an RCOH, a major life-cycle milestone. Once ROCH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2015 12:15 |
| Story ID: | 167506 |
| Location: | NEWPORT NEWS, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 17 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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