Posted on March 5, 2025
VICKSBURG, Miss. – After a career spanning more than 50 years in government service, Ernest “Butch” Lutz has retired from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC).
Lutz, who had served as ERDC’s chief of internal review since 2012, officially completed 30 years of civilian service in December 2024.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1951, Lutz began his service to the nation in 1970, enlisting in the Army before transitioning to the Louisiana Army National Guard. While serving, he pursued his education, earning a history degree from Louisiana State University in 1975 and receiving a commission in the Field Artillery. His military career took him across the globe, with assignments in Korea, Germany, Texas and Pennsylvania.
After leaving active duty in 1987, Lutz earned an accounting degree from Penn State University Capitol College and later obtained his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. He began his civil service career in 1989 as an auditor for the Defense Contract Audit Agency, but was soon recalled to active duty during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, serving as a senior military auditor in Saudi Arabia.
In 1993, he transitioned to a civilian role at the Pentagon, where he provided oversight as an internal auditor and later as chief of internal review for the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Training. His contributions to Army auditing helped shape the development of the 6T Military Auditor skill identifier. He also served as a drilling Individual Mobilization Augmentee for The Joint Staff in Manpower and Personnel and Strategy, Plans and Policy, ultimately being promoted to colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1999.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Lutz was in the Army Operations Center when the Pentagon was attacked. He was immediately mobilized and played a key role in organizing and leading the Coalition Coordination Cell, tracking coalition force contributions and managing the Strategy, Plans and Policy Individual Mobilization Augmentee program. He continued to serve in this capacity until his military retirement in 2007, after which he returned to the Internal Review Office of the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Training before joining ERDC in 2012.
During his tenure at ERDC, Lutz ensured fiscal responsibility and oversight while mentoring the next generation of professionals.
“The most important part of my role with internal review is to keep supporting ERDC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) so we can continue to pass our audits,” Lutz said. “That’s a big deal, and it ensures we stay on track with our mission.”
Looking ahead, he offered advice to those who will continue the work.
“Internal review is a niche field with very strict requirements set by the General Accounting Office,” he said. “The biggest challenge for new employees is learning the particular ins and outs of the job. But with the right training and dedication, they’ll be prepared to carry the mission forward.”
“Butch has been the backbone of our internal review program, bringing unmatched expertise and diligence to ERDC,” said Paul McDonald, ERDC chief integration and operations officer. “His ability to navigate complex financial oversight while ensuring the success of our mission has left a lasting impact.”
Lutz’s extensive list of awards and decorations includes the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal and the Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
As Lutz retires, Gale Ray will serve as the acting chief of ERDC Internal Review, continuing the mission of oversight and financial accountability that Lutz helped strengthen.
