Meet Your Army, with Major General Clayton M. Hutmacher, Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Special Operations Command

As part of a community initiative to sustain a connection with the American public, Major General Clayton M. Hutmacher visits for a free program to discuss the #MeetYourArmy initiative and to provide updates on current operations of USASOC. Presented in partnership with the U.S. Army Office of Public Affairs, Midwest.

Throughout the last 14 years, the American public saw a steady stream of information about the Army through television and newspapers. But as involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan has died down, Americans are seeing fewer soldiers in the press. And even fewer Americans know a soldier personally.

Through the #MeetYourArmy campaign, the Army hopes to put soldiering back in the spotlight. The program will bring the Army and soldiers to communities throughout the United States, where both civilians and local press can interact with them and learn more about who defends their nation.

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) — the Army component of the Joint U.S. Special Operations Command (JSOC)— is among the most diverse organizations in the U.S. military, bringing a broad range of competencies and disciplines to support Georgraphic Combatant Commanders (GCCs) and ambassadors worldwide. Established on December 1st, 1989 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to enhance the readiness of Army special operations forces, USASOC also functions as the Army component of the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), which is located at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. The fundamental mission of USASOC is two-fold: to organize, train and equip Army Special Operation Forces (ARSOF) units and soldiers, and to deploy them worldwide to meet the requirements of war plans, GCCs and ambassadors

MAJOR GENERAL CLAYTON M. HUTMACHER entered military service as a private in the United States Marine Corps on January 4, 1978. In May 1984, he transferred to the Army after being accepted into the Warrant Officer Flight Training program. Hutmacher was then commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Aviation in October 1987. 

Following graduation from Officer Candidate School and the Aviation Officer's Basic Course, Hutmacher’s first assignment was with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Group (Airborne), as the Headquarters and Service Company Executive Officer, and later as the MH-60 Direct Action Penetrator Platoon Leader in Delta Company. 

He has since served three tours with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment to include Executive Officer of 1st Battalion, Commander of 1st Battalion, Regimental Commander and the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC). 

Other assignments of his include: Deputy Commanding General for Support of the 2nd Infantry Division, Assistant Commanding General for Special Operations Forces Mobility, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Training Mission, Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command; the U.S. Air Force 55th Special Operations Squadron, as the Squadron Tactics Officer, Instructor Pilot, and Flight Commander; Troop Commander and S3 of the Flight Concepts Division; and Commander of 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment. His military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Number 6, Combat Action Badge, Master Army Aviator Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.

Hutmacher holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval Command and Staff College, and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.