Growing up in south Florida and spending time on the water sailing with his father led Cmdr. Mike Davis, USN (Ret), on his path to the Navy. He served in the ROTC program at the University of Colorado, where he majored in philosophy and economics, and received his commission in December 1986.

After attending surface warfare officer school, he served on board USS Mount Hood (AE-29), in engineering and then in operations. He later transferred to the Navy Reserve and attended law school and became a private-practice lawyer. Simultaneously, he served in a number of staff officer jobs in the Reserve and then was mobilized from late 2012 to early 2014 to Bahrain with Commander, Task Force Individual Augmentee. He then retired and focused full-time on his law career as an attorney with the state in California.

In early 2020, Davis and his wife relocated to Arkansas.

“My wife was recruited by Walmart corporate and literally within a week of her taking on the job of dealing with crises for Walmart, COVID came along,” he said.

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During Davis’ efforts to determine his next career step, he attended a meeting of MOAA’s Bella Vista Chapter, where he was asked to serve as chapter liaison for Bentonville High School’s new Navy Junior ROTC (JROTC) program. Davis agreed, but the role quickly became, as he describes, “more complicated.” The school was unexpectedly in need of a senior naval science instructor.

“I pursued it, and I was designated with starting the program up from scratch at Bentonville’s two high schools, Bentonville and Bentonville West,” he said.

After two years, Davis was able to secure federal funding for the program by meeting the needed number of students participating: 100.

He also in his second year found his own style for teaching. “I would prepare lessons every weekend for the next week derived from current events,” he said. “For example, when the Chinese balloon was flying over the U.S., I taught about combatant commands and how the Navy deals with threats. I used the event to understand the military, our republic, and the rights and responsibilities. I think that’s what, for the students who wanted to come back, made it interesting for them.”

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This was true for Phillip Mills, who had Davis as a teacher for three years and describes him as levelheaded, understanding, and motivated to inspire others.

“He taught me, as well as many of my peers, how to be a situational leader and how to handle many different situations that were hypothetical and in current world events,” said Mills, who is now is in freshman year at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Because of Davis’ impact on Mills and other students as well as his efforts to build the Bentonville JROTC program, Mills nominated Davis, who was subsequently chosen, as Bentonville Schools Foundation Exceptional Educator for 2025.

“Phillip had the best teachers that Bentonville High School has, so for him to pick me out of this group, I’m humbled and honored,” said Davis, who completed his three years as senior naval science instructor in 2025. “Receiving this recognition is gratifying. I really enjoyed teaching, and I’m inspired by how many fine young people there are out there.”

His teaching days are not over, however. Davis recently was hired by NorthWest Arkansas Community College to teach leadership courses to individuals new to supervising. He’s also now a member of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of MOAA.

“I’m still serving,” Davis said.