Commander Downing is a native of Pensacola, Florida. He is a 2005 and 2012 graduate of Norwich University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master’s of Science in Organizational Leadership.

At sea, he served his first and second division officer tours as Auxiliaries Officer and Navigator aboard USS DECATUR (DDG 73). As a department head, he served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer aboard USS WAYNE E. MEYER (DDG 108), and served an additional department head tour at sea as the Navigator aboard USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8). Most recently, he served as Executive Officer and then Commanding Officer of USS MOMSEN (DDG 92).

Ashore, he served at the United States Naval Academy as the Assistant Honor Officer in the Commandant of Midshipmen staff. During his tour in MAKIN ISLAND, Commander Downing was selected for the Warfare Tactics Instructor program and is a 2018 graduate of the Anti-Submarine (ASW)/Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) Tactics Instructor course. Following graduation, he served as the ASW/SUW lead and Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) lead planner in the N3 and N7 staff at Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) Headquarters in San Diego, CA.

Commander Downing’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal, and various unit and campaign awards. Commander Downing is currently serving as the Surface Warfare Schools Command N79 Director for Damage Control and Firefighting located at SWSC Engineering Learning Site San Diego, CA.

Last Updated: 21 November 2025