General Wayne A. Downing Scholarship Program Information

The General Wayne A. Downing Scholarship program offers select Army Officers, from all commissioning sources in the Maneuver, Fires, and Effects branches, the opportunity to attend a fully funded graduate education program at top-tier universities around the globe. Given the complex and often ambiguous challenges facing our Nation today, it is imperative that the Army develop strategic leaders to address these challenges. The Downing Scholars program contributes to this end through the provision of horizon-broadening educational programs and immersion experiences centered on issues of terrorism, insurgency, and other threats to our nation’s security. Upon completion of the graduate program, officers return immediately to the operational force and do not serve a utilization tour. Named after General Wayne A. Downing, U.S. Army (Retired), this program seeks to extend General Downing’s legacy to a new generation of officers who will be front and center in the fight against violent extremism. This Downing Scholars program is a result of the vision, generosity, and commitment to the nation’s security of Mr. Vincent Viola, a West Point graduate and national business leader.