Air Force ROTC welcomes Davis as first enlisted aerospace studies instructor at OSU

Air Force ROTC welcomes Davis as first enlisted aerospace studies instructor at OSU

Friday, September 6, 2024

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Tech. Sgt. Ephraim Davis, administration for ROTC Detachment 670, became the first enlisted aerospace studies instructor at Oklahoma State University in 2024.

Tech Sgt Ephraim Davis

The department has traditionally only had military officer instructors, but Davis holds the title of assistant professor of practice in this new role. With 14 years of active-duty service in the Air Force as a non-commissioned officer in charge (NCOIC), primarily in a personnel role, Davis' transition to an enlisted instructor emphasizes his commitment to career progression and leadership development.

"In this capacity, I lead future officers in the Air Force," Davis said. "So, it's a big deal for me to be able to coach, mentor and teach people who are going to outrank me one day."

Davis' special duty assignment reflects his passion for mentorship and teaching future officers in the Air Force. He created a program at OSU for cadets called Advanced Drill for this specific reason.

"Commitment, discipline, confidence and leadership are some of the key components I hope the cadets will take with them," he said.

Davis explained that those components are emphasized in Advance Drill: Cadets must commit to drill, even though it's voluntary; cadets must exercise discipline while executing drill movements correctly - a practice that translates to success in future tasks; and cadets must build confidence. As an officer in the Air Force, Davis expressed the need for confidence to gain trust as a leader. Without it, he said, leadership effectiveness is compromised. In addition to drill, Davis is a hands-on administrator, ensuring the well-being of the students and the ROTC program. Although he is equally dedicated to the administrative side, Davis ensures the cadets are enhancing their skills and personal development beyond the classroom.

"Tech. Sgt. Davis provides lessons that benefit future officers, as he knows what the enlisted core is looking for in their officers," said Hannah Marion, a senior cadet at Detachment 670.

Davis views his roles as a mentor and instructor as complementary, acknowledging the significance of fostering personal relationships with his students to facilitate their growth. His students equally appreciate his efforts.

"Within the aerospace studies curriculum, Tech. Sgt. Davis has provided us with lessons about the enlisted core, their history, tradition and expectations," Marion said. "Being an enlisted member himself, Tech. Sgt. Davis provides a perspective that is unique to the other professors at Detachment 670, as they are all officers. These lessons have further enhanced cadets' understanding of leadership and the role of officers within the Air Force."

Reflecting on his appointment, Davis expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the development of future officers. He emphasized the collaborative nature of the military, recognizing that success requires a collective effort from both instructors and cadets. Davis embraces his role as part of a larger team working toward the common goal of producing exceptional leaders for the Air Force.

"It takes two to tango," he said. "It takes the instructors and the cadets to work together to be able to make the cadets very good officers later on. It's not on any one person. It's how we all work together. The level of impact I have is based on the cadets' response to my input.

Learn more about the Department of Aerospace Studies here.

Click here to watch exclusive content about Davis.

Photos by: Jason Wallace and provided

Story by: Allie Putman | CONNECT magazine | College of Arts and Sciences

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