LTC Samuel Butler

LTC Samuel Butler is an Acquisition Officer and instructor in the Department of Systems Engineering at West Point. Sam earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with Honors from the United States Military Academy (USMA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Notre Dame. Sam was selected for the FY25 Command Select List and will assume the Charter as Product Manager for Ground Applications Program Office in July 2025.

After graduating USMA in 2007, Sam commissioned as an Infantry Officer and joined the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). He subsequently deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, serving as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Battalion S-4. Sam then assessed into Special Forces, graduated the Special Forces Qualification Course and Combat Diver Qualification Course in 2013, and commanded his Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha (SFOD-A) in 5th Special Forces Group. While with 5th Special Forces Group, Sam deployed three times across the Central Command Area of Responsibility.

Sam then assessed into the Acquisition Corps and earned his MBA in 2018. He served as the Assistant Product Manager (APM) for the Next Generation Squad Weapons Program, as well as the APM for Remote Weapon Stations, within PEO Soldier. Sam attended the Field Grade Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (FG RASP) in 2020 and was assessed into the 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served as the Deputy Director of the Ranger Acquisition and Integration Directorate. In 2023, Sam joined the faculty in the Systems Design and Analysis Center at the United States Military Academy where he taught and course-directed production management and supply chain engineering courses. In 2024, the Systems Engineering Department selected Sam to serve within the Operations Research Center (ORCEN), where he serves as a research analyst and cadet capstone advisor.

Sam earned the Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Combat Diver Badge, and awards commensurate with his time in service.

Sam and Rachel married in 2013 and enjoy an active lifestyle that includes raising their four children: Caleb, Henry, James, and Cate.