Dr Jacob (Jay) Davel

Dr. Jay Davel is a native of Port Washington, Wisconsin. He earned a B.S. in biology from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, where he commissioned through Army ROTC in 2015 as an engineer officer.

During more than 11 years of active-duty service, Dr. Davel served in leadership, command and instructional positions across the operational Army and institutional training environments. His early assignments included service with the 25th Infantry Division and 130th Engineer Brigade at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea. He served as a platoon leader with the 95th Sapper Company and as executive officer of the 561st Engineer Construction Company.

At Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Dr. Davel served with the Fitness Training Unit and Sapper Training Company and as the Phase I officer in charge for the Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course. He later commanded Sapper Training Company and the U.S. Army Sapper Leader Course.

Following command, Dr. Davel served as an assistant professor of military science with Indiana University’s “Bison” Battalion while earning an M.S. in kinesiology. He subsequently joined the Department of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy at West Point, serving as a Regimental Guidance Officer and later as executive officer.

Dr. Davel earned his Ph.D. in human performance with an emphasis in biomechanics from Indiana University in 2026. His research focuses on tactical readiness, military human performance and the physical characteristics underlying performance of demanding military tasks. His doctoral research examined strength, power and anthropometric predictors of Sprint–Drag–Carry performance in military cadets.

After leaving active military service in 2026, Dr. Davel returned to West Point’s Department of Physical Education and joined the Human Performance Institute in October 2026. His work integrates military leadership, applied research, education and human performance to enhance cadet development, physical readiness and tactical performance.