Forging the Future: LIT Alumni Reflect on Their Leadership Growth
The Navy Fleet and Family Readiness' (FFR) Leadership in Training (LIT) program is designed to prepare and empower the next generation of FFR leaders with the skills, confidence, and perspective needed to grow their careers. Each year, the program brings together FFR employees from across the enterprise to strengthen their leadership skills through hands-on training, discussion, and collaboration.
But what impact does participating in the program have on those who go through it? The FFR Training team recently spoke with a few LIT alumni who reflected on their experiences and how the program shaped their approach to leadership.
From initial doubts to growing confidence as leaders, their experiences highlight the lasting impact of the LIT program.
Before LIT: Initial Hesitation
Reflecting on their experiences, four FFR employees — Christian Cedeno, Justin Vautrin, Jenissa De Leon, and Sonia Blyther — recalled having questions about their leadership abilities and what the training might offer before participating in the LIT program.
Christian, a non-appropriated funds (NAF) HR Security Assistant, said that while he felt confident in his work, he still doubted his leadership skills.
Jenissa, now an Assistant Bowling Manager, remembered wondering whether she would be able to "influence and guide others effectively."
Justin, a Transition Coordinator from Navy Region Northwest, questioned whether "personnel around me would accept me for who I was." He noted that previous leadership courses had not fully prepared him for the challenges of leading others.
Sonia, an Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Regional Case Liaison, shared a similar hesitation. She wondered whether the program would provide "meaningful growth or simply be another training course."
Although they came from different roles across FFR, the four alumni shared a similar starting point: uncertainty about their leadership abilities and what they might gain from the LIT experience.
During LIT: Challenge, Growth, and Connection
The LIT program quickly proved to be more than a traditional leadership course. Alumni described the experience as hands-on and immersive, designed to place participants in situations that mirror real leadership challenges.
Justin summarized his experience in three words: “engaged, challenged, and celebrated.” Sonia added that the program “immerses participants in scenarios that mirror the complexities and pressures of authentic leadership,” creating a learning environment that goes beyond theory.
For many participants, those experiences led to important “lightbulb” moments.
For Jenissa, the realization came through understanding how people approach situations differently. She reflected on “understanding that employees respond based on their perspective, experiences, and motivations,” which reshaped how she approaches conversations with her team, peers, and leadership and how she delegates tasks.
Christian experienced a similar shift in perspective. During the program, he realized that “you don’t need to be in a leadership position to be a leader.”
Beyond the curriculum, many alumni said one of the most meaningful parts of the experience was the camaraderie built among participants. Sonia shared that “the program broke down barriers between departments, connecting me with colleagues I might never have met.”
Those connections extended beyond the classroom. Members of Justin’s cohort spent time together outside the training environment, organizing workouts, attending basketball games and escape rooms, and even hosting an indoor cornhole potluck.
After LIT: Growing as Leaders
After completing the LIT program, alumni return to their roles with a new perspective on leadership and greater confidence in how they approach their work.
"I can confidently say that now that I have had the opportunity to attend the LIT program, I am better equipped to be a leader," Christian said, noting improvements in how he communicates with and trusts his team.
Justin said the program strengthened participants’ “confidence in (their) abilities to engage and challenge (their) teams, along with a newly inspired leadership mentality.”
Sonia said the experience encouraged her to take a more active role in conversations and collaboration, adding that she now feels more confident “joining new conversations, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing ideas.”
For Jenissa, the impact of the program was reflected in her career growth. She said LIT had a “direct impact on my growth and readiness for leadership,” helping prepare her for greater responsibilities that eventually led to her promotion to Assistant Bowling Manager a year after completing the LIT program.
Advice for Future LIT Participants
When asked what advice they would give to future LIT participants, Christian, Justin, Jenissa, and Sonia all shared a similar message: fully embrace the experience.
Justin encouraged participants to “be willing to be vulnerable to the new opportunities and training that will be provided.”
Jenissa offered similar advice, encouraging future participants to “invest in yourself and your future, be present in the training, and network with others.”
Sonia’s perspective captured the spirit of the program: "Dive in wholeheartedly. Do not settle for simply checking the boxes. Embrace the process, connect with those around you, and welcome every challenge... It is within those moments of stretch that true transformation happens."
Their experiences reflect the broader impact of the LIT program, showing how the training helps participants build confidence, strengthen leadership skills, and form lasting connections across FFR.
For more information and the complete employee guide, interested candidates can visit the official LIT page at https://www.navymwr.org/careers/training/employee-resources/n9-leadership-in-training
