Former maintenance chief turned elementary school principal retires at Vance

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michaela Prince
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. — In a rare and touching moment on the Vance flightline, Lyntel Murphy ventured out for one final taxi out -- an Air Force honor recognizing the years of service by the former maintenance chief turned elementary school principal.

The send-off marked her retirement not just from Eisenhower Elementary School, located on base, but from a lifelong journey of service in both the military and civilian worlds.

Murphy’s story began with a childhood shaped by military life. Her father’s service took the family around the world, and she attended 10 different high schools before graduating. That constant movement left a lasting impression and influenced her methods as both a teacher and a principal.

One moment in particular fueled her commitment. As a child at a now-closed base in Amarillo, Texas, she overheard a teacher say she did not bother learning the names of military kids because they would “be gone in no time.” That moment has stuck with Murphy ever since.

“Even today, it bothers me,” she said. “My thoughts are that I don’t care if you’re going to be there for one minute. My teachers are going to pour into you as if you’re going to be there forever.”

Murphy joined the U.S. Air Force at age 19 and served until retiring at 38, working on aircraft such as the A-10, F-111, and E-model variants. During that time, she raised two sons, earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautics in 1986, a master’s in education and curriculum in 1997, and later completed her doctorate in education in 2019.

Her husband, Craig, also worked for the Air Force and after his retirement, Murphy accepted a job in Enid and became principal of Eisenhower Elementary in 2018.

Throughout her time in uniform and in the classroom, Murphy never stopped learning -- or leading. One of her personal mottos, encouraged by her husband, was simple: “If you start it, you need to finish it.” She brought that same grit and accountability into every role she took on.

Transitioning from the military into education was not always easy, but Murphy found that her leadership skills translated naturally.

“In the military, we’re taught to solve problems at the lowest level. I tried to bring that into the school -- handle issues close to the source,” she said. “Being patient, waiting, and seeing how things are going to work out first before you jump in.”

She led Eisenhower Elementary through some of its most challenging years, including the behavioral and emotional shifts that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. Even amid these hurdles, she remained focused on the mission: taking care of military-connected children.

Her own experiences gave her a sense of purpose in making students feel seen, heard and valued -- no matter how briefly they were stationed at Vance.

As she prepared for retirement, Murphy reflected on her decades of service.

“My husband told me, ‘You have given your entire life. As a child, you gave up so much moving. As an adult you were in uniform until you were 38 years old. Now it’s just a different kind of serving. It's still the same. You're still giving of yourself.’ And he was right,” she said. “It’s all been service. Just different uniforms.”

In retirement, Murphy plans to spend more time with her granddaughters and continue her work with Lancaster Bible College as a doctoral reviewer. Still, her heart remains with the students and staff of Eisenhower. She is excited about the incoming principal and left behind one final piece of advice.

“Always make sure that we keep that relationship strong between Vance Air Force Base and our kids,” she said. “And make sure every child knows they matter, no matter how long they’re here.”

To young people just starting out, her guidance is simple yet powerful.

“Enjoy your life. Search for opportunities and seek out new experiences. And do what you want to do -- you can only afford to live life for yourself.”