A career in counterintelligence
A WashU education helped prepare John W. Davis for assignments in an international world of espionage.
The Vietnam War was still raging when John W. Davis, AB ’74, arrived at Washington University in St. Louis with a full academic scholarship from the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). It was a challenging time to have ties to the military.
At the time, students were denied college credit for ROTC, for instance, and they weren’t allowed to wear uniforms on campus. One time though, a uniformed Davis was desperate to turn in a paper. He was spotted by a group of students and outside protestors called Vietnam Veterans Against the War, who were preparing for a demonstration. “I slowed to a walk toward the history department,” Davis says. “With each step, they cried, ‘fascist pig, fascist pig, fascist pig.’ Then someone threw a rock, so I hustled out of there.”
Two-time author : Rainy Street Stories and Around the Corner (Red Bike Publications, 2013 and 2018) feature vignettes and reflections about his experiences abroad.
Passion project: Board chair of Global Ties Alabama, a nonprofit partner of the U.S. State Department that works on projects like connecting foreign exchange professional delegations with opportunities to learn from in-state organizations.
Other retirement pursuits: Writing book reviews, articles on security and essays about social justice and equality.
What he remembers most about WashU: Forest Park, the Delmar Loop and the Parkmoor restaurant on Clayton Road.
Since WashU’s ROTC building had been burned in February 1970, Davis trained in a Central West End location about three miles from campus (then known as the Hilltop Campus). That building had also been a target: Someone set off a bomb in its elevator shaft about six months before Davis started classes.
The St. Louis native made it through WashU unscathed, and he was commissioned a field artillery officer in the Army in May 1975, fulfilling his four-year scholarship obligation. But he was not done serving his country. Davis would spend the next 33 years working for U.S. Army Counterintelligence, including 12 years overseas as a liaison officer, investigator and linguist.
He was initially assigned command of an investigative unit in Mannheim, Germany. “They needed a ‘linguist-required’ position filled, and my Spanish showed I had that ability,” Davis says. He had taken four years of Spanish classes in high school and, after testing out of some courses during his first year, completed two more at WashU.
Following several months of studying German and counterintelligence, Davis crossed the Atlantic with his three young sons and his wife, Jane (Tedrick) Davis , AB ’75, whom he met at WashU. “I thought living and raising my family in Europe during real history being lived out near the Iron Curtain would be fascinating,” he says.
Davis and his colleagues were primarily involved in counterespionage, he says, but they also investigated political terrorism. His first case focused on who was behind a rocket attack targeting the commander of U.S. Army forces in Europe in 1981. (The answer: West German terrorists.)
After additional assignments in Italy, the Netherlands (twice) and Saudi Arabia, Davis returned home to the States. He spent the last two decades of his career at Space and Missile Defense Command in Alabama, where he worked on counterintelligence-related training, overseas travel briefings and policy planning.
Davis describes his career in counterintelligence as both intriguing and thought-provoking. “I found it different every day,” he says. “You could study human nature and try to understand how an adversary’s espionage and sabotage are directed against our forces. Our job was to take imaginative measures to counter them.”
“I found the research skills, discussions and ability to find connections and overlaps I’d learned at WashU were beneficial almost daily.” John W. Davis
The veteran credits his alma mater — and his history degree — with helping him develop valuable competencies. “I found the research skills, discussions and ability to find connections and overlaps I’d learned at WashU were beneficial almost daily,” he says.
He adds, “I attribute my ability to see others’ worldviews as having started with WashU’s emphasis on fair play, open-mindedness and social justice.”
Davis, who lives with Jane in Athens, Alabama, near their three sons, encourages fellow alums to consider government service. “We need people with the social leavening that WashU provides,” he says. “A young graduate will doubtless have all the technical skills needed: good speaking, writing and presenting abilities. But we also desperately need the open-mindedness that allows for nonjudgmental, indeed wise decisions to preserve our democratic, rule-of-law-based society.”
Comments and respectful dialogue are encouraged, but content will be moderated. Please, no personal attacks, obscenity or profanity, selling of commercial products, or endorsements of political candidates or positions. We reserve the right to remove any inappropriate comments. We also cannot address individual medical concerns or provide medical advice in this forum.
Alumni profiles.
The path of a community organizer
‘You think, so you can dance’
Winner’s circle
Opening doors
‘An amazing story’
The motherhood entrepreneurs
Redefining the alumni experience
The continued need for DEI in the workplace
Pledge drive
Home — Essay Samples — Education — School Uniform — School Uniform Debate
About this sample
Words: 637 |
Published: Mar 13, 2024
Words: 637 | Page: 1 | 4 min read
Proponents of school uniforms, opponents of school uniforms, impact on academic performance.
Let us write you an essay from scratch
Get high-quality help
Prof Ernest (PhD)
Verified writer
+ 120 experts online
By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email
No need to pay just yet!
5 pages / 2090 words
1 pages / 616 words
3 pages / 1514 words
2 pages / 1054 words
Remember! This is just a sample.
You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.
121 writers online
Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled
While some argue that school uniforms restrict individuality and self-expression, others believe that they offer a wide range of benefits that positively impact students, teachers, and the overall school environment. In this [...]
In recent times, the question of whether students should be mandated to wear uniforms in schools has sparked intense debates. While proponents argue for the benefits of uniforms, it's essential to critically examine why students [...]
School dress codes have been a contentious issue in educational institutions for many years. These policies dictate what students can and cannot wear to school, often with the intention of promoting a safe and distraction-free [...]
Franklin, Aretha. 'Think.' Atlantic Records, 1968.
Have you ever felt restricted by a dress code that dictates what you can and cannot wear? Many schools and workplaces enforce strict dress codes in the name of professionalism or modesty, but is this really necessary? In this [...]
There has been a great deal of controversy in school districts around the world on whether or not school uniforms should be made mandatory. Though public schools started using uniforms back in the 1980s, the debate on whether [...]
By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.
Where do you want us to send this sample?
By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.
Be careful. This essay is not unique
This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before
Download this Sample
Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts
Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.
Please check your inbox.
We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!
We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
School Uniform: Correlation Between Wearing Uniforms and Academic Performance. The combination of colors for example, may affect the students' comfort as well as the public view and perception of the institution The issue of cost should also be put in to check. We will write.
If you're tasked with writing an essay on school uniforms, it can be challenging to come up with a unique and interesting topic. To help you brainstorm ideas, here are 118 school uniforms essay topic ideas and examples: The pros and cons of school uniforms. The history of school uniforms. The impact of school uniforms on student behavior.
Essay Title 2: School Uniform Policies: Addressing Social and Economic Disparities. Thesis Statement: School uniform policies can be seen as a means to reduce socio-economic disparities among students, but their effectiveness and potential unintended consequences must be carefully considered and analyzed. Outline: Introduction
14 essay samples found. School uniforms, often seen as a tool for promoting equality and focus in the educational environment, have been a topic of debate in many school systems around the world. Essays on school uniforms could explore their impact on student identity, academic performance, and school climate.
Uniforms are a hotly-debated topic in schools worldwide; if you are writing essays about school uniforms, get inspired by reading our essay examples and writing prompts.. School uniforms have been an education emblem for centuries; they are commonplace in primary and secondary school. They are a set of clothing that students attending a particular institution must wear during school hours and ...
School uniforms are a hotly contested debate, which makes it a controversial topic preferred for school essays. Even though writing a school uniform essay should be easy, students' confessions after being assigned both long and short essays on school uniform show mixed results. Most students who have been given an essay on school uniforms have ...
While some argue that school uniforms restrict individuality and self-expression, others believe that they offer a wide range of benefits that positively impact students, teachers, and the overall school environment. In this essay, I will explore the numerous advantages of school uniforms, including their ability to promote a sense of equality, improve academic performance, and enhance school ...
Here are some essay topic ideas related to school uniforms: 1. Discuss the pros and cons of requiring students to wear school uniforms. 2. Analyze the impact of school uniforms on students' academic performance. 3. Examine the role of school uniforms in promoting a sense of equality among students. 4. Explore the effects of school uniforms on ...
The Federal Bureau of Investigation provides the reporting agencies with a handbook that outlines how to classify and score offenses to achieve uniformity in crime and crime data definitions. Uniform Commercial Code Overview. The case scenario is covered under section 2 of the UCC, which involves the sale of goods.
School uniforms have been a topic of debate for many years. Proponents argue that uniforms create a sense of belonging and equality among students, while opponents believe they suppress individuality and self-expression. This essay aims to explore the importance of school uniforms by examining their impact on student behavior, academic ...
The topic of school uniforms has been a subject of heated debates in educational and social circles. The concept of students wearing uniform in school is often seen as a means of maintaining decorum and creating an environment conducive to learning. Historical Context. The tradition of school uniforms has its roots in the 16th century England.
School Uniforms Essay: School uniforms should be utilized in educational systems. Uniforms are both as useful for schools just as for the pupils. ... Also, they should be well aware of the topic on which they have to write the essay. Writing an essay on school uniforms requires the knowledge of the merits and demerits of wearing a school ...
School Uniforms: Arguments on Why They Are Unnecessary. School uniforms have been a topic of debate for many years. While some people believe that school uniforms promote discipline, equality, and safety, others argue that they are unnecessary, expensive, and limit students' self-expression. School uniform is the topic of this essay in which I ...
School Uniform Essay: People have long debated over the fact if school uniform is necessary. Many educational institutions impose the necessity of wearing school uniforms which has its benefits and disadvantages. ... children and students with essay samples on an extended essay of 500 words and a short piece of 150 words on the topic "School ...
There are many benefits to wearing school uniforms. 1. Equality and Safety: Uniforms help create a sense of equality among students by removing the focus on personal appearance and socio-economic differences. They also promote a safe environment by discouraging gang activity and making it easier to identify outsiders.
Thesis Statement on School Uniforms. School uniforms have been a topic of debate for many years, with arguments for and against their implementation in schools. While some believe that school uniforms promote a sense of unity and equality among students, others argue that they restrict students' individuality and self-expression.
See more reviews for this business. Top 10 Best School Uniforms in Santa Clara, CA - November 2023 - Yelp - Merry Mart Uniforms, Absolutely Uniforms, Mary Avenue Scrubs, Stevens Creek Surplus Department Store, Jean's Palace, Summit Uniforms, MM Embroidery, The Children's Place Outlet, The Children's Place, LogoBoss.
The second decade of the 21st century has seen the 70th birthday of The Merry Mart, who has grown from humble origins to its premier status as the provider of school uniforms to more than 100 schools in Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, and many individuals throughout the United States. The Merry Mart will continue to provide the best ...
Application Requirements. 1. A completed online application form. 2. An essay (topic listed below) 3. A high school transcript listing all courses and grades (including fall 2023) 4. $50 non-refundable application fee, payable by credit card through the application portal. 5.
School uniforms are a hotly contested debate, which makes it a controversial topic preferred for school essays. Even though writing a school uniform essay should be easy, students' confessions after being assigned both long and short essays on school uniform show mixed results. Most students who have been given an essay on school uniforms ...
Five Reasons to Choose King's Uniforms. 72 Hour turn-around on most items; 100% on-time guarantee; Shop Online 24/7 (Just click on the catalog link below) 17 Years Family Owned and Operated; 10% of all profit goes back to the community through organizations like World Vision and City Team; Call now to receive your free quote - 408-978-1488 or ...
Published: Mar 5, 2024. The debate over school uniforms has been ongoing for many years, with strong arguments on both sides of the issue. While some believe that uniforms promote equality and discipline, others argue that they restrict individuality and self-expression. In this essay, we will explore both sides of the argument and discuss the ...
At the time, students were denied college credit for ROTC, for instance, and they weren't allowed to wear uniforms on campus. One time though, a uniformed Davis was desperate to turn in a paper. He was spotted by a group of students and outside protestors called Vietnam Veterans Against the War, who were preparing for a demonstration.
School Uniform Debate. In schools across the world, the debate over whether students should be required to wear uniforms has been a contentious issue. While some argue that school uniforms promote a sense of unity and discipline, others believe that they stifle individuality and self-expression. This essay will explore the various arguments for ...
7 min. Nathan Hare, a scholar and writer who helped shape Black empowerment movements in the 1960s, including a five-month strike by students and faculty at San Francisco State College that led to ...