2022 Hall of Fame Inductee
Loyola University Chicago (1987)
Col. (Ret.) Paul J. Hettich was born on June 16, 1965, in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
He attended Depaul University where he completed his Bachelor of Art in Communications Arts and Technical Theater. He participated in the Army ROTC program through Loyola University Chicago and commissioned in 1987.
Over the course of his career, Hettich became branch qualified in Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, Signal, Transportation, and Medical Services. He served in the initial invasion of Iraq, where he served as the 308TH Civil Affairs Brigade G6 from 2003 to 2004. From 2004-2005, Hettich served as the Commander of the 432ND Civil Affairs Battalion in Kosovo, working with joint NATO and United Nations partners.
In 2008, Hettich served as the 18TH Airborne Corps C9 Deputy Chief of Plans and the Chief of Civil Affairs and PSYOP, and from 2009-2010 he returned to Iraq to serve a Provincial Reconstruction Team Deputy Commander assigned to the U.S. State Department. From 2013-2014, Hettich served as the CJ 3/5/7 Chief of Civil Affairs Planning and the Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force- Horn of Africa in Djibouti. His final assignment before retiring was as the Commander of the 451ST Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).
Hettich retired on September 1, 2017, after 30 years of service. His military honors and awards include Legion of Merit Medals (2), U.S. State Department Meritorious Honor Award (3), Bronze Star Medals (2), NATO Medal, United Nations Medal, General Winfield Scott Bronze Medallion and the Honorable Order of Saint Christopher.
After retiring, Hettich continues to contribute to his community. As a lifelong resident of Antioch, Illinois, he serves as the Antioch Illinois Cub Scout Pack 111 treasurer, and as a Boy Scouts of America District Chairman.
He is also the Adjutant with the Antioch American Legion, the Senior Vice-Commander of the Antioch VFW, a Board Member for the Antioch Parks and Recreation Commission, elected as the Vice President and District Trustee for the Antioch Public Library, Legislative Chairman with Fort Sheridan Chapter 48 of the Reserve Officers Association, Vice President of the Illinois Department of the Reserve Officers Association, and a U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador for the state of Illinois. In 2018, COL Hettich was also honored as an Honor 200 Illinois Bicentennial Honoree by the Illinois Governor. He has also been awarded the Boy Scouts of America National Eagle Scout Association Outstanding Eagle Scout Award.
Hettich has earned a Master of Arts Degree in Theater Arts from Northern Illinois University, and is a graduate of the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate Program. In addition to his volunteer efforts, Hettich owns his own business, Center Stage Productions, and works part-time as a Court Security Police Officer, a Contract Investigator, and Deputy Ranger Police Officer for the Lake County Forest Preserve.
About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame
The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.
The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.
Read more about the 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees.
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