MAJ Jacob Davel

MAJ Jacob (Jay) Davel is an instructor and executive officer in the Department of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

The Port Washington, Wisconsin, native attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where he commissioned as an Engineer officer in January 2015. After completing Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course and Sapper Leader Course, he served as a sapper platoon leader and executive officer in the 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and forward at Camp Humphreys in the Republic of Korea. Davel then returned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and became the executive officer for the U.S. Army Sapper Leader Course. 

After Engineer Captains Career Course and Ranger School, he served as the Phase 1 OIC for Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course and then commanded the Sapper Training Company and Sapper Leader Course, 169th Engineer Battalion, 1st Engineer Brigade. 

Prior to his time at West Point, Davel served as an assistant professor of military science for Indiana University, where he also attained his master’s in kinesiology. He is an Indiana University student of Indiana while at USMA, working towards his Ph.D. in human performance (biomechanics). 

He is part of the Military Army Couples Program (MACP), and his wife Katie serves as an instructor in the Department of Chemical & Biological Sciences & Engineering. They have three beautiful daughters.