A native of Florida, Master Chief Jason Kutsch joined the Navy in January 1996. After completing recruit training in Great Lakes, Illinois, he attended Fire Controlman “A” School. Upon completion he reported to USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA 3) in Sasebo Japan as a Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) Technician. While in Sasebo he advanced to Third and Second Class Petty Officer, earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification and Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualification, and participated in the hull swap of USS BELLEAU WOOD and USS ESSEX (LHD 2). In December 2000, he transferred to USS OBANNON (DD 987), Mayport, FL where he served as CF Division LPO, and was advanced to First Class Petty Officer.
Master Chief Kutsch reported to Fleet Training Center Mayport in May 2003, where he served as a Naval Leadership Facilitator, advancing to Chief Petty Officer in 2005. In June 2006, he transferred to USS HALYBURTON (FFG 40), Mayport, FL and served as the Combat Systems Department Leading Chief Petty Officer.
Master Chief Kutsch’s next duty station was to the staff of Commander, Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Reporting onboard in November of 2009, he served in N1 as a Manpower Analyst and was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. While attached to COMPACFLT he completed an Individual Augmentee tour in Kabul, Afghanistan where he earned his Information Warfare Specialist qualification and served as the Base Support Group NCOIC and U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Leader for ISAF Headquarters.
In May 2013, he reported to Pre Commissioning Unit GERALD R. FORD, Newport News, Virginia. As a Plankowner of USS GERALD R. FORD (CVN 78) he served as the Training Department Leading Chief Petty Officer where he was advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer and was selected into the Command Master Chief (CMC) Program. In July 2018 he reported onboard USS MCFAUL (DDG 74) as the Command Master Chief. While onboard MCFAUL he deployed to C6F and C5F Area of Responsibility and completed a highly dynamic yearlong sustainment phase and CNO Maintenance Availability.
In July 2021 Master Chief Kutsch reported to his seventh ship, USS LEYTE GULF (CG 55), where he proudly serves as the Command Master Chief of America’s Battle Cruiser. During his time onboard, LEYTE GULF served as the Air and Missile Defense Commander WHISKEY ship for Commander, Carrier Strike Group TEN through a successful 2022-23 C6F deployment.
Master Chief Kutsch is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 205, Blue) and the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course (Class 187). His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, five Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various campaign, service and unit awards.