Michael Linnington
Lieutenant General (retired) Michael S. Linnington is an American career Army officer and nonprofit executive serving as chief executive officer of the United Service Organizations (USO) since October 2025.[1] A 1980 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Linnington completed 35 years of active duty, advancing to command airborne and air assault-qualified units in combat during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, including as commander of the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.[2][3][4] In senior Pentagon roles, he acted as Military Deputy to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness from 2013 to 2015 and as Commanding General of the Military District of Washington, overseeing operations including presidential support and Arlington National Cemetery.[3][5] Following retirement, Linnington directed the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency from 2015 to 2016, leading efforts to locate and identify missing U.S. service members, before heading the Wounded Warrior Project as CEO for nearly eight years to support post-9/11 veterans' recovery and transition.[6][7]Early life and education
Formal education and commissioning
Michael S. Linnington graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1980, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and receiving a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army.[1][6] The academy's curriculum, which integrates engineering, sciences, humanities, and military training, instilled foundational leadership and analytical skills essential for officer roles. Following his commissioning, Linnington pursued advanced education, obtaining a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.[1][8] This degree equipped him with quantitative tools for problem-solving in complex operational environments. He further completed the Master of Science in National Security Strategy program at the National War College, enhancing his strategic perspective on defense policy and international relations.[1][6] These postgraduate studies complemented his West Point foundation, fostering expertise in systems analysis and high-level decision-making pertinent to Army leadership.