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Ludacris and DJ Vito electrify Naval Air Station Patuxent River! Over 5,000 attendees enjoyed an unforgettable Operation MWR concert, highlighting Navy Entertainment's commitment to quality of life.
Everett MWR team united to support Operation MWR, featuring performances by Plain White T's and BRELAND, ensuring a successful and memorable event for the military community.
Join the 9th annual Great Navy Campout presented by T-Mobile! With 61 events worldwide from June to October 2024, connect with nature and win prizes through the Pledge to Camp initiative.
The Integrated Primary Prevention (IPP) Program at Naval Base San Diego stands out for its innovative approach to providing essential support services to Sailors.
Experience the Battle of the Branches at the 2nd Armed Forces Esports Championship, Jan 23-25, 2024! Top military gamers compete in Halo: Infinite.
Country star Russell Dickerson performed during Naval Base Ventura County's Operation MWR, entertaining 800 attendees with his chart-topping hits.
As part of Operation MWR, The All-American Rejects rocked NAS JRB New Orleans, NCBC Gulfport, and NAS Meridian, kicking off the summer with unforgettable performances.
RIMPAC Esports debuted at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, bringing together 128 competitors from the U.S., Germany, Korea, Italy, and Brunei for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.
Navy FFR MWR's inaugural Esports Fitness Challenge merges physical fitness with esports to enhance camaraderie and wellness. Compete, win prizes, and climb the leaderboard!
Naval Base San Diego’s Operation MWR transformed Admiral Prout Field into a major concert venue for 10,000 attendees. The event featured BRELAND's genre-blending set and Weezer's energetic performance, bringing joy to military families.
Despite the concert being canceled by weather, MWR made sure NAS Pensacola fans met Little Big Town at Operation MWR on May 18, making it a special event for military families.
Plain White T's rocked Bahrain on May 15 and 16 with Operation MWR concerts, bringing service members and families unforgettable performances and a sense of home.
Plain White T’s and BRELAND performed for nearly 4,000 at Operation MWR at Naval Station Everett and NAS Whidbey Island, boosting morale for military families with free concerts.
Virtual Clinical Counseling services launched by Fleet and Family Support Program is advancing mental health support for Sailors and families.
MA Bradford, a Texas native, tells his story of growth and learning. Relying on lessons from both mentors and loved ones, he also takes advantage the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Liberty program and all if has to offer.
The annual Customer Service Satisfaction Survey, launched by Navy MWR, aims to gather feedback on its programs and services for Sailors and families.
The Leadership in Training (LIT) Executive students participate in a specialized Child and Youth Programs training at Naval Base San Diego, aimed at providing hands-on learning during the six-week course.
The Leadership in Training program advances with the Professional Development In-Person course, empowering students with essential leadership skills.
Jim Gaffigan brought laughter to Naval Station Great Lakes on May 9, 2024, with his Operation MWR comedy tour. Opening with Ryan Hamilton, the night was a hit, connecting Sailors and families through humor.

Leadership in Training: Executive Students Gain Valuable Knowledge During San Diego's Child and Youth Training

June 17, 2024 | Story by Naomi Wilkins | Commander, Navy Installations Command

WASHINGTON – The Navy’s Child and Youth Programs (CYP) play an integral part in providing quality of life care to Navy children. The Leadership in Training (LIT) Executive students have been working hard to gain valuable knowledge of this vital program as part of their leadership journey from May 21 through June 27, 2024.

Brittany Samis, Southwest Region Program Analyst for Professional Development, and Melanie Hannibal, Southwest Region Training and Curriculum Specialist, usually oversee the development and implementation of training for CYP employees and trainers in the region. “Their job is to train the trainers, to keep them energized and up to date on the most modern techniques when teaching to adults. They’re the dynamic duo!” expressed Dr. Janet Hooten, Navy Region Southwest CYP Manager.

Although their usual responsibilities involve teaching CYP employees, designing and implementing a six-week training curriculum for emerging leaders was a significant task. “Brittany and Melanie worked non-stop to be able to have impactful and very purposeful training for the LIT students, and it’s very hands-on,’ says Dr. Hooten. Engaging adult learners was a priority for both Samis and Hannibal, who designed the training around a "cruise" theme. The room was decorated to resemble a cruise ship – with themed walls, decorations, CYP Training binders, and a "passport system" where students received stamps for each guest speaker and new location they visited during the training. “The reaction from the students on the first day seeing the room was something that made mine and Melanie’s hard work worth it,” said Samis.

Panel discussions with Fleet and Family Readiness (FFR) Directors and tours of CYP facilities were just a few of the hands-on learning activities the students participated in. While touring the facilities, they played a game of Bingo with a list of things to look for that an FFR leader would need to know, further instilling the importance of this functional training. “We talk about learning through play. That’s what we want the LIT students to also experience,” emphasized Hannibal.

Given the LIT Executive students' high level of competitiveness, each day was packed with activities, including team-building challenges that exposed the students to every avenue within CYP. One activity was the Paper Chain Challenge, where students paired up to compete for team points. With limited supplies – paper, one piece of tape, glue, and scissors – the students approached the challenge with determination. After fifteen minutes of intense focus and teamwork, along with some playful banter, the winning team produced a paper chain nearly twice as long as the others. This activity highlighted their ability to collaborate effectively with limited resources and maintain a light-hearted spirit even after the task was completed.

Channette Ingram, a LIT Executive student and former CYP employee, shared how much more she has learned during this functional training. “Since I’m coming from a CYP background, it gave me deeper knowledge on inspections, facilities, and different insights. It’s really cool to be able to share that with other CYP programs and also to see new things that are coming and the projects that are happening in this area. I’m still expanding my knowledge of CYP.”

When asked about standout moments during the training, Samis and Hannibal described witnessing the students' moments of sudden realization. “Everything they have been exposed to thus far is watching them have the ‘aha moment’. For example, when we took them through the components of what a child’s day looks like, they had that moment where they realized just how much is involved. For us, in hopes of helping build future N9 leaders, these are some of the components we really wanted them to understand.” Dr. Hooten emphasized the importance of making learning enjoyable for the students. "If you're having a good time, you remember more. That's the key."

For more information on the LIT program, visit navymwr.org/leadership-in-training-program

For more information on Navy Region Southwest’s MWR programs, visit https://www.navylifesw.com/

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