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Sailors and families aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford enjoyed an unforgettable evening as Old Dominion performed a special concert on the flight deck. The event, hosted by Navy MWR, also included the filming of the band's latest music video.
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Leadership in Training: Executive Students Gain Valuable Knowledge During San Diego's Child and Youth Training

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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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