Electronics Technician 3rd Class Tyler Parent verifies his identification number prior to taking the Navywide advancement examination for petty officer second class, on the mess decks of future amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America is currently on her maiden transit, "America Visits the Americas," en route to her homeport of San Diego. America is the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa-class of amphibious assault ships. As the next generation "big-deck" amphibious assault ship, America is optimized for aviation, capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey and F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. The ship is scheduled to be ceremoniously commissioned Oct. 11 in San Francisco. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason M. Graham/Released)