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"A Way to Shine": How a military spouse and FFR employee advanced her career at no cost using CNIC University and LinkedIn Learning.
Freedom Circus toured four EURAFCENT installations, drawing big crowds with high-energy performances that boosted morale, strengthened community, and brought world-class entertainment to Sailors and families.
Navy FFR is now accepting applications for the 2026 Leadership In Training cohort, an immersive professional development program designed to grow the next generation of FFR leaders.
Laughter meets resilience as Phase 2 of the Navy’s “1 Degree of Separation” initiative continues breaking mental health stigma across the fleet.
Virtual Clinical Counseling services launched by Fleet and Family Support Program is advancing mental health support for Sailors and families.
The flight deck of the USS Nimitz was transformed into a rocking concert venue for 2,500 Sailors and crew. Country star Chase Rice and rock group Lovelytheband provided a much-needed taste of home, boosting morale with a night of live music under the stars.
The NAS Jacksonville flight line transformed into a concert stage as 30,000 people enjoyed Operation MWR, featuring unforgettable performances by Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, and Hueston.
The Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) offers free monthly webinars to help job seekers improve resumes, leverage AI tools, and gain interview skills with confidence.
What started as a creative MWR marketing challenge evolved into a base-wide morale booster at NSA Panama City. The initiative culminated in "Minion Day," a successful community event that brought Sailors and families together to celebrate and highlight MWR programs.
Music met mission at NS Norfolk as Operation MWR brought Jelly Roll, Gwen Stefani, and Hueston to the stage for a powerful night celebrating the Navy community.

CNIC University and LinkedIn Learning Prove Invaluable for FFR Employees' Continuing Education

CNIC University and LinkedIn Learning Prove Invaluable for FFR Employees' Continuing Education

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February 19, 2026 | Story by Naomi Wilkins | Commander, Navy Installations Command

WASHINGTON – The careers of Navy Fleet and Family Readiness (FFR) employees are typically fueled by a strong desire to serve the military community. For military spouses pursuing careers in this field, this dedication is often met with the distinct challenge of adapting to frequent relocations while striving to remain competitive in their professional lives. These services, including Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), are a vital part of the FFR program, which provides essential quality-of-life support to Sailors, their families and retirees.

Meet Bunny Allen, an accomplished military spouse and Management and Program Analyst for MWR in Navy Region Northwest. Allen holds a master’s degree in Recreation Administration and earned her Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation in 2022. This certification marked a significant step in her career, which had taken her from managing recreation programs both stateside and overseas, to a support role with Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) in California, and ultimately to her current position in Washington. 

However, she soon discovered that maintaining her new credential came with a hefty price tag. "To maintain my non-practicing designation, I'm required to complete 20 hours of continuing education units annually," Allen explained. "When I started looking at the costs through the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the sessions were around $200 to $300 per session.”

While necessary to maintain her credentials, the annual cost was daunting, as a Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) employee, Allen has access to CNIC University (CNIC U), Learning Management System (LMS), FFR’s centralized training platform. While exploring CNIC U, Allend discovered a vast library of LinkedIn Learning courses was available to her. "I thought, let me just check out some of these trainings and see if any of them have the CEUs attached,'" Allen recalled.

Luckily, Allen was able to find multiple courses that would satisfy her continuing education requirements, all at no cost to her. Over three years, Allen has saved more than $3,000, providing a significant financial relief. "The designation means that much to me, but it would be very challenging cost-wise without this," she admitted. 

Beyond the savings, access to free, credible training has eased the stress of meeting her annual requirements and helped her feel more secure in her career. "It takes the stress away," she said. 

"As a military spouse, you have to find a way to shine," Allen stated. Maintaining her designation through free professional development resources allows her to strengthen her resume and remain competitive, whether she is seeking a job "inside or outside the gate."

She encourages all FFR employees to explore the resources available to them. "The best investment that an employee can make is in themselves and in professional development," she said. "Whether you have a specific purpose like me or just want to grow, taking advantage of the free trainings we have is one of the best ways to do it."

The Fleet and Family Readiness (FFR) Employee Training Department’s vision is to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and development, fostering excellence, world-class customer service and adaptability to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape by empowering FFR employees with a comprehensive, adaptable and innovative training and development program. For more information and links to various training programs, please visit navymwr.org/careers/training.

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This is an Official U.S. Navy Website Commander, Navy Installations Command.

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