Colonel (Retired) Hettich is an Army Reserve Officer with over 30 years of service. He is branch qualified in Civil Affairs, Military Information Support Operations (Psychological Operations), Signal, Transportation, and Medical Services. Colonel (Retired) Hettich has 19 Additional Skill Identifiers (ASls), which include: 5K, 5P, P4, 3K, 6Q, 3H, 5B, 5Y, 3S, I2, I3, 3L, 6B, 3A, 3C, 6U, 8R, 6M, and 6F and two PDIs/PDSIs which include: D7A and H1B. His mission’s over-seas include: Canada (2), Germany (9), Korea (2), Macedonia (1), Poland (2), Turkey (1), Djibouti (1), and Uganda (1). Colonel (Retired) Hettich completed five combat deployments in Kuwait/lraq (3), Bosnia/Kosovo (1), and to the Horn of Africa (Djibouti), Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi) (1). He was also mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom to command the 451
st
ESC.
From 2003 to 2004, Colonel (Retired) Hettich served as the G6 (Communications-Electronics Officer) and Public Communications Officer for the 308th Civil Affairs Brigade for 15 months in Kuwait/lraq for Operation Enduring Freedom, crossing the border on 19 March 2003 into Iraq as part of the initial invasion with the 3rd Infantry Division. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal on 01 May 2003 for achievements in combat and the Army Commendation Medal in May 2004 for achievements and service during Operation Iraqi Freedom 01.
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From 2004 to 2005, Colonel (Retired) Hettich served as the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion(-) Commander for Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo where his unit's mission was developing, promoting, and training Kosovo Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in coordination with OSCE, NATO, and the United Nations (UN). He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for achievement as well as the Kosovo Campaign, NATO, and UN Medals in November 2005 for achievements and service during Operation Joint Guardian Kosovo Forces 6 (KFOR 6).
Colonel (Retired) Hettich served again in Iraq from 2007 until 2009 for Operation Iraqi Freedom as the C9 Deputy Chief of Plans for 18th Airborne Corps (MNC-I). On 25 March 2008, he was sent to Basra, Iraq for ‘Operation Charge of the Knights’ where he was assigned as the Chief, Civil Affairs and PSYOP Officer responsible for all joint combined interagency multinational coordination of Civil Military Operations (CMO) and Psychological Operations (PSYOP) for the UK, 1st Marine Division (USMC), and US Army 82nd and 101st Airborne MiTTs (Military Training Teams). Colonel (Retired) Hettich was awarded the British 7th Armoured Brigade SSI,
the Joint Service Achievement Medal in April 2008, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal in July 2008 for achievements in Basra, Iraq. He completed his tour serving as the C9 Deputy Chief of Operations, Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-1), Baghdad, Iraq and was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal in November 2008 for achievements and service during Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09.
Colonel (Retired) Hettich returned again to Iraq from 2009 until 2010 for Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Babil Province Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Deputy Commander assigned to the
U.S. State Department where he was responsible for assisting the Iraqi Provincial Government with Economic Development, Essential Services/Infrastructure, Public Diplomacy, and the Rule of Law. He completed this tour and was awarded three U.S State Department Meritorious Honor Medals (one individual award and two group awards), the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal for achievements and service in Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-10.
Colonel (Retired) Hettich served in Djibouti, Africa from 2013 until 2014 for Operation Enduring Freedom as the CJ 3/5/7 Chief, Civil Affairs Planning Team and the Army Component Commander for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). He was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Defense Superior Service Medal for achievements and service in CJTF-HOA 13-14.
Colonel (Retired) Hettich holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Arts and Technical Theater from Barat College of DePaul University and a Master of Arts Degree with Thesis (copyright) in Theater Arts from Northern Illinois University. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Navy War College Command and Staff Course, and over 100 other courses. Colonel (Retired) Hettich completed the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education (AJPME) Course at the Joint Forces Staff College and received Joint Qualified Officer Level Ill Designation of Additional Skill Identifier (ASI 3L) after completing two joint combat deployments (58.5 joint points). He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army War College (AWC DE) and holds a Master of Strategic Studies Degree. Colonel (Retired) Hettich is a graduate of the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certificate program. He had a Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance.
Colonel (Retired) Hettich is a life-long resident of Antioch, Illinois and graduated from Saint Peter Grade School and Antioch Community High School. He also graduated from the College of Lake County with a Certificate in General Marketing. Colonel (Retired) Hettich is an Eagle Scout from Antioch Troop 92 and is the Cub Scout Cub Master for St. Bede’s, Ingleside Cub Scout Pack 111. He is involved with the Antioch American Legion, Antioch Mason’s, Antioch VFW, and St. Bede’s, Ingleside Knights of Columbus (Fourth Degree). Colonel (Retired) Hettich is a Board Member of The Eagle Nature Foundation, LTD in Apple River, Illinois; the Treasurer on the Board of Director's for the Petite Lake Gardens Home Owners Association, Antioch, Illinois; and a Board Member for the Antioch Parks and Recreation Commission. Colonel (Retired) Hettich is the Legislative Chairman with Chapter 48 of the Reserve Officers Association and the Vice President of the Illinois Department of the Reserve Officers Association. He is an U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador (Special Government Employee/SGE) for the state of Illinois.
In 2018, Colonel (Retired) Hettich was recognized by then Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner as an Honor 200 Illinois Bicentennial Honoree. He was also awarded the National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Scout Award.
