Faculty Spotlight: Dr. David Murphy

Meet Dr. David Murphy

Degrees and Experience
  • Ph.D., Leadership Philosophy (Dallas Baptist University)
  • M.S., Strategic Studies (United States Army War College)
  • M.A., Counseling and Leadership (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)
  • M.S., Aeronautical Science (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
  • B.S., Psychology and Leadership (United States Air Force Academy)
Biography and Professional Achievements

Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Dr. David Murphy joined the CCU team in 2021, after retiring in 2014 after 25 years of Air Force (AF) service and then completing his Ph.D. in Leadership Philosophy from Dallas Baptist University in 2019.

Murphy hails from Whittier, California. He received his commission and bachelor of science from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in 1990. After earning his pilot wings at Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, he had multiple assignments worldwide flying the F-16. He is a command pilot with over 2,300 flying hours, including 274 in combat, and served as an F-16 flight lead, instructor pilot, and flight examiner.

In 2003, Colonel Murphy joined the USAFA Air Officer Commander training program and attended the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. After earning a second master’s degree, he served two years on the USAFA faculty. Murphy then served as the Mission Support Group Deputy Commander at Andrews AFB, Maryland before attending the U.S. Army War College (USAWC) in 2012. At the USAWC, he was Seminar Chair of the Advanced Strategic Arts Program. He concluded his career as the 782nd Training Group Commander at Sheppard AFB with oversight of the AF's most diverse training and educational group.

Publications
  • Murphy, D. (2019). The leadership character of Colonel Lewis Millett during the Korean War Battle of Bayonet Hill. [Doctoral dissertation, Dallas Baptist University].
  • Murphy, D. (2019, July 11). A tale of two hills: The myth and reality of the battle of Bayonet Hill. United States Army War College War Room.
  • Murphy, D. (2019, February 22). Chick-fil-A-ism at the Academy? A message to future Air Force leaders. [OPED for The Defense Post].
  • Murphy, D. (2019, Winter). Character conflation: The just war tradition and just peacemaking theory as part of an intentional character development approach. United States Air Force Academy Journal of Character and Leadership Development, 6(1), 135.
  • Murphy, D. (2018, December 18). Emulate foggy bottom to enact President Trump’s order to hire more military spouses. [OPED for Military Spouse].
  • Murphy, D. (2018, September). Hallowed ground Bayonet Hill, South Korea. History Magazine.
  • Murphy, D. (2018, August 5). Does the U.S. Air Force produce good leaders? A response to Col. "Ned Stark." [OPED for The Defense Post].
  • Murphy, D. (2018, May 23). Korean Spring: The 'battle of wits.' [OPED for The Defense Post].
  • Murphy, D. (2018, May 12) Will the Korean Spring bring a just peace? [OPED for The Defense Post].
  • Murphy, D. (2017, April 4). US F-16 pilot thanks Korean rescuers. [OPED for the Korea Times].
  • Murphy, D. (2016, June). A combat lullaby. Korea Association of the United States Army (AUSA) [2016 essay writing contest, grand prize award].
  • Murphy, D. (2016, March 11). A combat lullaby. [Commentary for Osan Air Base].
  • Murphy, D. (2016). Enhancing strategic decision making: Lessons from history. [U.S. Army War College Strategy Research Project].