Space Power: Space Force West Scholars Axed. What’s The Future for Senior Professional Military Education?

Space Power: Space Force West Scholars Axed. What’s The Future for Senior Professional Military Education?

From The DownLink Podcast by The DownLink

March 13, 2026 · 41 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the termination of the West Scholars program by the U.S. Space Force and its implications for military education.

Three years after the U.S. Space Force established the West Scholars program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), the Pentagon is killing this highly tailored and unique space-minded Senior Professional Military Education fellowship, along with other graduate-level opportunities at 21 other universities and think tanks. Laura Winter speaks with Joel Mozer, the first United States Space Force Director of Science, Technology and Research; and Lamont Colucci, Director of Concordia University’s National Security and Space Center, and the United States Space Force’s inaugural Director of Doctrine Development.

People in this episode

Host: Laura Winter

Guests: Joel Mozer, Lamont Colucci

Topics covered

  • Space Force
  • Military Education
  • West Scholars Program
  • Space Policy
  • Defense Strategy

Keywords

  • Space Force
  • West Scholars
  • Military Education
  • Pentagon
  • Graduate Programs
  • Defense
  • Space Policy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: U.S. Space Force, Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, Concordia University, National Security and Space Center, Pentagon

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