Albert L. Downing is a native of Plymouth, North Carolina. He graduated from Plymouth High School in 1972 and received Bachelor of Science degree (Bible Christian Education) from Roanoke Bible College in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (becoming the first African- American to graduate from the college). He received the Master of Divinity degree from the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Logos Graduate School, Jacksonville, Florida, in 1996. He is presently working on another Doctorate from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
A.L. Downing received his commission to the rank of Lieutenant in the Navy in 1986. He entered active service in the Navy after completing the Basic Course at Newport, Rhode Island in October 1986. He received the State of Rhode Island Pluralism Award upon graduation. His assignments include: 1st Landing Service Support Battalion, Camp Pendleton California; Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California; First Dental and Support Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California; Chaplain Downing deployments includes, Guam, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Hawaii. He left the Navy Chaplaincy in June 1989.
He entered the Army Chaplaincy as a captain in 1998 and attended the Chaplain Officer Basic Course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Chaplain Downing’s assignments with the Army Chaplaincy include: 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation at Fort Drum, New York, the 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea where he serves as the 1st Battalion 2nd Aviation Regiment Chaplain and Installation Chaplain for Camp Page, Brigade Chaplain, Division Artillery (DIVARTY), Fort Drum, NY., Unites States Military Academy at West Point, NY as the 3rd Regimental Chaplain.
His military schools include: Navy Chaplain Course, Army Chaplain Officer Basic Course, Chaplain Career Course, Combine Arms and Services Staff School and Command and General Staff College.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (OLC), Army Commendation Medal (OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), National Defense Service Medal (with bronze star), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, and the Sea Service Ribbon.
He is married to the former Inza Jones of Winston-Salem, NC.
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