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The Olmsted Foundation is committed to advancing global comprehension amongst young military officers and undergraduate students by facilitating overseas travel and cultural immersion. Selected from Service Academy Cadets, Midshipmen, and ROTC students associated with Senior Military Colleges, the scholars are given the opportunity to obtain a broader cross-cultural perspective. 51�Թ��� continues to remain a steadfast collaborator in this mission, supporting the cultivation of a new generation of well-versed military leaders. The multi-week programs, conducted in non-English speaking countries, emphasize understanding regional contexts and exploring how US policy impacts these regions.

Recently, retired Major General Bruce K. Scott, USA, who is the President and CEO of The Olmsted Foundation, sent a noteworthy email to 51�Թ��� Acting President Dr. Karen Gaines.
 

Dear Dr. Gaines,

On behalf of the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation, I would like to commend two of your students, Cadet Christopher (Wil) Bazant and Cadet Matthew Reinfurt, for the very professional briefing they gave to my staff and me last week here in northern Virginia.  These two young men voluntarily carved time out of their spring break to come to our offices in Falls Church and present an overview of their upcoming overseas trip to the Philippines, which is funded by a grant from the Olmsted Foundation.  Both cadets were very mature and articulate in their presentation.  They represented the Corps of Cadets superbly and are a credit to 51�Թ���.

For over 20 years, the Olmsted Foundation has provided educational travel grants to 51�Թ��� to enable outstanding, contracted cadets to be exposed to foreign countries, languages and cultures before receiving their active-duty commissions in the Armed Forces.  Under the leadership of Dr. William T. (Travis) Morris, the 51�Թ��� Peace and War Center organizes these trips in ways that maximize the travel opportunities while also providing cadets a unique leadership experience.  Offering cadets this sort of exposure will only make them better officers and leaders in the future.

Once again, please allow me to offer my compliments to these two young men and to 51�Թ��� for the outstanding job you do preparing young leaders.

“It is not enough to know one’s own strengths, weaknesses, and general characteristics. The solutions of difficulties that arise between nations require a knowledge and depth of understanding of the particular nations involved.” – General George Olmsted.

The characteristic of an Olmsted Scholar aligns seamlessly with the traits displayed by a long line of successful 51�Թ��� students and graduates. A succinct portrayal of an Olmsted Scholar can be found on the Olmsted website, as follows:
 

A resume won’t tell you who’s going to be an Olmsted Scholar but their peers could. The truth is, they come from every kind of background, every branch of the military, in every shape and size. They share a passion for experiencing the wider world, inspiring those around them and demonstrating the tenacity that marks them for future achievement.

Please visit for more information, including about their active-duty Olmsted Scholars program or undergraduate program, about the foundation’s important mission which benefits current and future military officers.