{{Short description|11th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (born 1959)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Use American English|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox military person |name = John E. Hyten |image = Gen John E. Hyten (5).jpg |image_size = |alt = |caption = Official portrait, 2021 |nickname = |birth_name = |birth_date = {{birthdate and age|1959|07|18}} |birth_place = Torrance, California, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |burial_place = |allegiance = United States |branch = United States Air Force |service_years = 1981–2021 |branch_label = Branch |rank = General |service_number = |unit = |commands = {{plainlist| * Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff * United States Strategic Command * Air Force Space Command * 50th Space Wing * 595th Space Group * 6th Space Operations Squadron }} |battles = {{ubl|War in Afghanistan|Iraq War}} |awards = {{ubl|Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2)|{{nowrap|Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (2)}}|Legion of Merit (2)}} |relations = |other_work = |spouse = Laura Hyten |alma_mater = {{plainlist| * Harvard University (BS) * Auburn University at Montgomery (MBA) }} |signature = John E. Hyten signature.svg }} '''John Earl Hyten''' (born July 18, 1959) is a retired United States Air Force general who served as the 11th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019 to 2021. A career space operations and acquisitions officer, he commanded the United States Strategic Command from 2016 to 2019 and the Air Force Space Command from 2014 to 2016.
Hyten was born in Torrance, California. After graduating from Harvard University, he received his commission into the U.S. Air Force in 1981. He started his military career in engineering jobs, then went into space and missile operations. He commanded the 6th Space Operations Squadron, 595th Space Group, and 50th Space Wing.
After retiring, Hyten joined Blue Origin as a strategic advisor.
== Early life and education == John Earl Hyten was born on July 18, 1959, in Torrance, California as the eldest of Sherwyn and Barbara Hyten's three children.<ref name=al>{{cite news |last=Kesner |first=Kenneth |date=2012-06-21 |title=Huntsville native receives third star on Air Force uniform and post with Space Command |url=https://www.al.com/breaking/2012/06/huntsville_native_receives_thi.html |work=Alabama Local News |location= |access-date=2014-07-10}}</ref> In 1965, his family moved to Huntsville, Alabama, where his father worked on the Saturn V rocket. He grew up in Huntsville at the height of the Space Race, attending Chaffee Elementary School and Grissom High School, two of the three schools named after the Apollo 1 astronauts who died during a launch rehearsal test.{{sfn|Lowery|2020|p=303}}<ref>{{cite news |last=Roop |first=Lee |date=2019-09-26 |title=Air Force general with Alabama ties tapped for No. 2 Pentagon job |url=https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2019/04/air-force-general-with-alabama-ties-tapped-for-no-2-pentagon-job.html |work=Alabama Local News |location= |access-date=2022-01-04}}</ref> In 1977, he graduated from Grissom High School. He wanted to become an astronaut, but because of his poor eyesight, decided to pursue engineering "to get in the space business."<ref name=speech>{{cite speech |url=https://www.stratcom.mil/Media/Speeches/Article/1368255/us-space-rocket-center-dr-werhner-von-braun-memorial-reception/ |title=2017 Dr. Werhner von Braun Memorial Reception Keynote |event=Dr. Werhner von Braun Memorial Reception |location=U.S. Space & Rocket Center |first=John E. |last=Hyten |date=October 26, 2017 |publisher=United States Strategic Command |access-date=April 9, 2019}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
Hyten got accepted into Harvard University, but unable to pay for it, he accepted an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarship that required him to serve in the United States Air Force for four years. He graduated from Harvard in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in engineering and applied sciences. After graduating, he commissioned into the Air Force as a second lieutenant, intending to serve only for four years and get out in 1985 to work in the space industry.<ref name=bio>{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/108115/john-e-hyten/ |title=General John E. Hyten |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=April 2021 |website=United States Air Force |publisher= |access-date=2018-01-16 |quote=}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name=speech/>
In 1985, Hyten received a Master of Business Administration from Auburn University at Montgomery. He completed Squadron Officer School in 1985 as a distinguished graduate. From 1993 to 1994, he studied at the Air Command and Staff College in Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. In 1999, he became a national defense fellow of the University of Illinois. In 2011, he returned to Harvard, taking their Senior Managers in Government Course.<ref name=bio/>
==Military career== [[File:2017 Halifax International Security Forum (24629072298).jpg|thumb|Hyten at the Halifax International Security Forum 2017]] Hyten was commissioned into the United States Air Force on August 23, 1981, as a second lieutenant. From 1981 to 1985, he was assigned as a configuration management officer, later becoming chief of the Configuration Management Division, for the Automated Systems Program Office at Gunter Air Force Base, Alabama. He then was reassigned to Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, from 1985 to 1989 as chief of the Software Development Branch and, thereafter, as chief of the Engineering and Acquisition Division of the Space Defense Programs Office.<ref name=bio/>
Hyten then returned to Alabama for a year to serve as a special adviser to the U.S. Army's Kinetic Energy Anti-Satellite Program Office. In 1990, he went back to Los Angeles as deputy for engineering at the Strategic Defense Initiatives Program Office. From 1991 to 1993, he was assigned to the Pentagon first as an executive speechwriter and systems analyst and then as program element monitor for Advanced Technology Programs for the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition).<ref name=bio/>
In 1994, after attending the Air Command and Staff College, Hyten was assigned to the United States Space Command at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado, as mission director, space operations officer, and chief of command center training. From 1996 to 1998, he commanded the 6th Space Operations Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. After that command tour, he was selected as a national defense fellow at the University of Illinois.<ref name=bio/>
Hyten was sent back to the Pentagon in 1999 to serve multiple roles at the Joint Staff. From 2001 to 2003, he served as chief of the Space Control Division, Directorate for Space Operations and Integration, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air and Space Operations. After that, he served as director of the commander's action group for the commander of Air Force Space Command, General Lance W. Lord.<ref name=bio/>
In July 2004, Hyten took command of the 595th Space Group. In April 2005, he took command of the 50th Space Wing. While serving as wing commander, he was deployed to Southwest Asia as director of space forces of the U.S. Central Command Air Forces from May to October 2006. He relinquished command of the wing in May 2007, after which he was assigned as director of requirements of AFSPC.<ref name=bio/>
While serving at AFSPC, Hyten was promoted to brigadier general on October 1, 2007. From 2009 to 2012, he was assigned at the Pentagon. He first served as director of cyber and space operations, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements from 2009 to 2010. In 2010, he was assigned as director of space acquisition at the Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, during which time the position was transferred as director of space programs at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition.<ref name=bio/>
In May 2012, Hyten was assigned as vice commander of AFSPC. After this, he commanded AFSPC from August 2014 to October 2016.<ref name=bio/>
His career includes assignments in a variety of space acquisition and operations positions. He served in senior engineering positions on both Air Force and Army anti-satellite weapon system programs.<ref name=bio/> He initially wanted to serve for four years but decided to stay after getting the opportunity to work in the space and missile defense program.{{sfn|Lowery|2020|p=303}}<ref name=speech/>
Hyten's staff assignments include tours with the Air Force Secretariat, the Air Staff, the Joint Staff and the Commander's Action Group at Headquarters Air Force Space Command as Director. He served as mission director in Cheyenne Mountain and was the last active-duty commander of the 6th Space Operations Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. In 2006, he deployed to Southwest Asia as Director of Space Forces for operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Hyten commanded the 595th Space Group and the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. Prior to assuming command of Air Force Space Command, he served as the Vice Commander, Air Force Space Command.
On March 15, 2013, it was announced that Hyten had been nominated to be Commander, Fourteenth Air Force and Joint Functional Component Command for Space, U.S. Strategic Command. This would have had him exchanging jobs with the incumbent Lieutenant General Susan J. Helms.<ref name="airforcetimes">{{cite web |url=http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20130315/CAREERS03/303150017/General-assignments-nominations-announced |title=General assignments, nominations announced | Air Force Times | airforcetimes.com|publisher=airforcetimes.com|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> However, Helms' nomination was put on hold by Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill resulting in the withdrawal of the nomination and leading to the retirement of Helms.<ref name="spacenews">{{cite web|url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/military-space/38070obama-withdraws-helms-nomination|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140209054840/http://www.spacenews.com/article/military-space/38070obama-withdraws-helms-nomination|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 9, 2014|title=Obama Withdraws Helms Nomination | SpaceNews.com|date=November 9, 2013|publisher=spacenews.com|access-date=10 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="lompocrecord">{{cite web|url=http://www.lompocrecord.com/news/local/military/vandenberg/helms-to-retire-after-stalled-job-change/article_565a2438-49bf-11e3-a80f-0019bb2963f4.html|title=Helms to retire after stalled job change|date=November 10, 2013 |publisher=lompocrecord.com|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> On April 9, 2014, Hyten was confirmed by the Senate for promotion to the rank of General and appointment as Commander, Air Force Space Command.<ref name="congress">{{cite web|url=https://beta.congress.gov/nomination/113th-congress/1508|title=PN1508 – Nomination of Lt. Gen. John E. Hyten for Air Force, 113th Congress (2013–2014) | Congress.gov | Library of Congress|date=9 April 2014|publisher=beta.congress.gov|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> Before assuming command of the United States Strategic Command on November 3, 2016, Hyten commanded Air Force Space Command.<ref name=bio/><ref name=al/>
===United States Strategic Command=== [[File:Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan visits USSTRATCOM 180419-F-SM465-006.jpg|thumb|Hyten, commander of the United States Strategic Command, poses for a photo with Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan on April 19, 2018.]]
Hyten was nominated for reassignment to head the United States Strategic Command on September 8, 2016. This nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 28, 2016 after a confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Armed Services on September 20.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gould |first=Joe |date=2016-09-21 |title=STRATCOM Nominee Favors Boosting Cyber Command, Nuke Modernization |url=http://www.defensenews.com/articles/stratcom-nominee-favors-boosting-cyber-command-nuke-modernization |work=Defense News |location= |access-date=2016-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/114th-congress/1706 |title=PN1706 — Gen. John E. Hyten — Air Force |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2016-09-08 |website=United States Congress |publisher= |access-date=2016-09-30 |quote=}}</ref> The change of command ceremony occurred on November 3.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=2016-11-03 |title=Admiral hands reins to General at U.S. Strategic Command |url=https://www.wowt.com/content/news/Admiral-hands-reins-to-General-at-US-Strategic-Command-399826621.html |work=WOWT 6 News |location= |access-date=2016-09-30}}</ref>
In November 2017, Hyten stated that if he determines Donald Trump's order for a nuclear strike to be illegal, then "I'm going to say: 'Mr President, that's illegal.' And guess what he's going to do? He's going to say, 'What would be legal?' And we'll come up with options, of a mix of capabilities to respond to whatever the situation is, and that's the way it works."<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=2017-11-19 |title=US nuclear chief would resist 'illegal' presidential strike order |url=http://bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42041975 |work=BBC News |location= |access-date=2022-01-05}}</ref>
Hyten has been a strong proponent for developing advanced hypersonic weapons, saying they would enable "responsive, long-range, strike options against distant, defended, and/or time-critical threats [such as road-mobile missiles] when other forces are unavailable, denied access, or not preferred.” <ref>{{cite web |url=https://sgp.fas.org/crs/weapons/R45811.pdf |title=Hypersonic Weapons: Background and Issues for Congress |author=Kelley M. Sayler |date=5 May 2022 |publisher=Congressional Research Service |access-date=21 June 2022 }}</ref>
===Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff=== thumb|Hyten is sworn in as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on November 18, 2019.
In April 2019, Hyten was nominated to be Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.<ref>{{cite news |last=Smith |first=Marcia |date=2019-04-09 |title=Hyten Nominated to be Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs |url=https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/hyten-nominated-to-be-vice-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs/ |work=SpacePolicyOnline.com |location= |access-date=2019-08-02}}</ref> The U.S. Senate confirmed him on September 26, 2019, by a vote of 75–22.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pawlyk |first=Oriana |date=2019-09-26 |title=Senate Confirms Air Force Gen. Hyten as Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/09/26/senate-confirms-air-force-gen-hyten-joint-chiefs-vice-chairman.html |work=Military.com |location= |access-date=2019-09-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first=Leo |last=Shane | title=Hyten confirmed as new Joint Chiefs vice chairman despite sexual assault accusations | website=Military Times | date=2019-09-30 | url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/09/26/hyten-confirmed-as-new-joint-chiefs-vice-chairman-despite-sexual-assault-accusations/ | access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=John Hyten confirmed as Joint Chiefs vice chairman despite sexual assault allegation | website=POLITICO | date=2019-09-26 | url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/26/john-hyten-confirmed-joint-chiefs-1514725 | access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=<!-- leave empty --> |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/us/hyten-confirmed-as-joint-chiefs-vice-chairman-despite-sexual-assault-allegations-1.600661 |title=Hyten confirmed as Joint Chiefs vice chairman despite sexual assault allegations - U.S. |work=Stripes |access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/air-force-gen-john-hyten-confirmed-as-nations-no-2-military-officer-dismissing-aides-sexual-misconduct-allegations |title=Air Force Gen. John Hyten confirmed as nation's No. 2 military officer despite aide's sexual misconduct allegations |publisher=Fox News |date=2019-07-30 |access-date=2020-04-23}}</ref> He assumed duties as the Vice Chairman on November 21, 2019, making him the second highest-ranking military officer in the U.S. Armed Forces. From February 2, 2019, Hyten also served as the senior designated official of the Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Cross Functional Team.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Cross Functional Team|title=Leaders|url=https://emso.defense.gov/About-Us/Leadership/|access-date=2021-02-21|website=United States Department of Defense}}{{dead link|date=December 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
Hyten has stated that he hopes to reduce overclassification in the Department of Defense.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2020/01/29/unbelievably-ridiculous-four-star-general-seeks-to-clean-up-pentagons-classification-process/ |quote=Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Wednesday that he hopes to see “significant improvement” this year on loosening classification standards in the infamously overclassified Pentagon. |title='Unbelievably ridiculous': Four-star general seeks to clean up Pentagon's classification process |first=Aaron |last=Mehta |newspaper=Defense News |date=January 29, 2020}}</ref>
It was announced that by the year of 2021 Hyten is expected to retire and would not seek a second-term as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.<ref>{{cite news |last1=LaGrone |first1=Sam |date=2020-11-13 |title=Joint Chiefs Vice Chair John Hyten Expected to Retire Next Year; Shortest Tenure in Job Since 2007 |url=https://news.usni.org/2020/11/13/joint-chiefs-vice-chair-john-hyten-expected-to-retire-next-year-shortest-tenure-in-job-since-2007 |work=USNI News |location= |access-date=2022-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pawlyk |first1=Oriana |date=2020-11-14 |title=Gen. Hyten, Embattled Joint Chiefs Vice Chair, Will Not Seek Second Term |url=https://news.yahoo.com/gen-hyten-embattled-joint-chiefs-225437400.html |work=Yahoo! News |location= |access-date=2020-11-16}}</ref> With the absence of a selected nominee to succeed Hyten, Department of Defense officials stated in October 2021 that Hyten would delegate his duties to senior officials on the Joint Staff if a nominee was not confirmed by his retirement date in November.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Losey |first1=Stephen |date=2021-10-22 |title='Uncharted waters:' With no Hyten successor in sight, DoD prepares to delegate vice chair jobs |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/10/21/uncharted-waters-with-no-hyten-successor-in-sight-dod-prepares-to-delegate-vice-chair-jobs/ |work=Defense News |location= |access-date=2022-01-05}}</ref> U.S. Navy Adm. Christopher Grady succeeded Hyten as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff upon the confirmation of his nomination to the post by the U.S. Senate on December 16, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shane |first1=Leo III |date=2021-12-17 |title=Grady confirmed as new vice chair for Joint Chiefs |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2021/12/17/grady-confirmed-as-new-vice-chair-for-joint-chiefs/ |work=Military Times |location= |access-date=2021-12-14}}</ref>
Hyten retired from active duty on November 19, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lamothe |first1=Dan |date=2021-11-02 |title=After unusual delay, White House nominates admiral for Pentagon's No. 2 military job |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2021/11/02/christopher-grady-nominated-joint-chiefs/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |location= |access-date=2021-11-02}}</ref>
===Sexual misconduct allegation=== thumb|General Hyten testifies at his Senate nomination hearing to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, July 30, 2019. In July 2019, an unnamed senior military officer spoke to the Associated Press accusing Hyten of sexual misconduct in 2017 while she was one of his aides. The officer claimed that Hyten subjected her to unwanted kissing and touching during the 2017 Reagan National Defense Forum in California and several times during the year she was while working as his aide. The officer said, "My life was ruined by this".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baldor |first1=Lolita C. |date=July 11, 2019 |title=AP Exclusive: Officer alleges sexual misconduct by general |url=https://apnews.com/article/air-force-ap-top-news-sexual-misconduct-politics-08a297df36e947a7888fde64acebdec5 |work=Associated Press News |location= |access-date=2019-07-11}}</ref>
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations opened an investigation, which included interviews with 53 witnesses and a review of tens of thousands of emails. The investigation found no evidence or information to substantiate the allegations. The court martial convening authority, General Mike Holmes, declined to take any action given the lack of supporting evidence concerning the allegations.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Starr |first1=Barbara |last2=Cohen |first2=Zachary |date=July 11, 2019 |title=Air Force clears senior general of sexual misconduct allegations |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/10/politics/hyten-cleared-assault-allegations/index.html |work=CNN |location= |access-date=January 5, 2022}}</ref> The Secretary of the Air Force who initiated the investigation also concluded that General Hyten had been falsely accused.<ref>|url=https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/19-65_07-30-19.pdf#:~:text=Wilson%3A%20Thank%20you%2C%20Mr.%20Chairman.,the%20Joint%20Chiefs%20of%20Staff.</ref>
The accuser identified herself as Colonel Kathryn A. Spletstoser, former director, Commander's Action Group, United States Strategic Command, on July 26, 2019.<ref name=moral>{{cite news |last=Cooper |first=Helene |date=July 26, 2019 |title='I Have a Moral Responsibility to Come Forward': Colonel Accuses Top Military Nominee of Assault |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/26/us/politics/hyten-assault-joint-chiefs.html |work=The New York Times |location= |access-date=January 5, 2022}}</ref>
On July 30, Hyten appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing for Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, following five closed-door sessions. No members of the committee supported the accusations in the public hearing, with Senator Martha McSally stating that "sexual assault happens in the military. It just didn't happen in this case" and that "the full truth was revealed in this process... General Hyten is innocent of these charges."<ref>{{cite news |last=Demirjian |first=Koroun |date=July 30, 2019 |title=Two senators split sharply in assessments of general accused of sexual assault |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/senator-who-survived-sexual-assault-defends-trumps-pick-to-be-militarys-no-2-against-similar-allegations/2019/07/30/7c51c4b8-b2d5-11e9-8f6c-7828e68cb15f_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |location= |access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref> In July 2023, Spletstoser reached a settlement with the federal government in U.S. District Court in California for $975,000.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=July 13, 2023 |title=Army Colonel Gets $975,000 in Sex Assault Case Against Former Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2023-07-13/army-colonel-gets-975-000-in-sex-assault-case-against-former-joint-chiefs-vice-chairman |access-date=November 21, 2024 |work=U.S. News and World Report}}</ref>
==== Settlement and legal significance ==== In July 2023, the United States government agreed to pay $975,000 to settle a civil lawsuit brought by retired Army Colonel Kathryn Spletstoser against General Hyten, who was accused of sexual assault and battery.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. government to pay nearly $1 million to settle civil sexual assault case against former senior general |work=CNN News Central |publisher=CNN |date=14 July 2023 |url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/cnc/date/2023-07-14/segment/10 |access-date=31 October 2025 |quote=The U.S. government is now going to pay her $975,000.}}</ref>
The case, ''Spletstoser v. Hyten'', included state-law claims of sexual battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and gender-based violence.<ref>{{cite court |title=Spletstoser v. Hyten |court=U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit |publisher=United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit |date=11 August 2022 |case-no=20-56180 |url=https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2022/08/11/20-56180.pdf |access-date=31 October 2025 |quote=Opinion No. 20-56180.}}</ref> Ariel E. Solomon of Solomon Law Firm represented Spletstoser in the litigation.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. to pay $975,000 to resolve sexual assault case against former Joint Chiefs vice chairman |work=The Washington Post |publisher=The Washington Post Company |date=13 July 2023 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/07/13/sexual-assault-case-hyten-spletstoser/ |access-date=31 October 2025}}</ref>
Legal analysts noted that the Ninth Circuit’s earlier decision allowing the lawsuit to proceed represented a rare instance in which a service-member’s sexual-assault claim was not barred by precedent in Feres v. United States.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ali |first=Idrees |title=In rare move, U.S. federal court allows military sexual assault case to continue |work=Reuters |publisher=Reuters |date=23 October 2020 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/rare-move-us-federal-court-allows-military-sexual-assault-case-continue-2020-10-23/ |access-date=31 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Unprecedented military sexual assault allowed to continue in court |work=The Jerusalem Post |publisher=The Jerusalem Post |date=23 October 2020 |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/unprecedented-military-sexual-assault-allowed-to-continue-in-court-646678 |access-date=31 October 2025}}</ref> Commentary in ''The 19th News'' likewise described the case as part of a growing effort by military-sexual-assault survivors to obtain justice through civilian courts rather than the military system.<ref>{{cite news |title=Military sexual assault survivors seek justice |work=The 19th News |publisher=The 19th |date=11 August 2022 |url=https://19thnews.org/2022/08/military-sexual-assault-survivors-justice/ |access-date=31 October 2025}}</ref>
== Civilian career == On June 15, 2022, Blue Origin announced that Hyten will join the company as strategic advisor and executive director for Club for Future and .<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/retired-four-star-general-john-hyten-joins-blue-origin-as-strategic-advisor/ |title=Retired four-star general John Hyten joins Blue Origin as strategic advisor |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |date=2022-06-15 |publisher=SpaceNews |access-date=2022-06-21 }}</ref> In March 2023, he was appointed as special advisor to Thomas Siebel, the chief executive officer of C3.ai, after joining the company's advisory board in June 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://washingtonexec.com/2023/03/gen-john-e-hyten-named-special-advisor-to-c3-ai-ceo/ |title=Gen. John E. Hyten Named Special Advisor to C3 AI CEO |date=2023-03-07 |website=WashingtonExec |first= |last= }}</ref>
==Personal life== Hyten is married to Laura Hyten.<ref name=moral/>
==Awards and decorations== [[File:John Hyten and Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă 200107-D-SW162-2280 (49349196432).jpg|thumb|General Hyten presents a gift to Romanian Minister of National Defense Nicolae Ciucă during a visit to Mihail Kognalniceanu Air Base, January 7, 2020.]] Hyten is the recipient of the following awards:<ref name=bio/> {| |160px |Command Space Operations Badge |- |150px |Basic Cyberspace Operator Badge |- |95px|center |Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |- |100px|center |Air Staff Badge |} {| |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon|width=60}} |Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Air Force Distinguished Service ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Legion of Merit ribbon|width=60}} |Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=2|name=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=4|type=oak|name=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Meritorious Service Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Army Commendation Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Army Commendation Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air and Space Commendation Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Commendation Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Joint Service Achievement Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Joint Service Achievement Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air Force Achievement Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Achievement Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|name=Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame)|width=60}} |Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=5|type=oak|name=Organizational Excellence ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one silver oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award|width=60}} |National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Air and Space Campaign Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Air and Space Campaign Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal ribbon|width=60}} |Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame.png|width=60}} |Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame |- |{{ribbon devices|number=8|type=oak|name=Longevity Service Award USAF|width=60}} |Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=USAF Marksmanship ribbon.svg|width=60}} |Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|name=Air Force Training Ribbon|width=60}} |Air Force Training Ribbon |} ===Other achievements=== * 1991 Recipient of the William Jump Award for Excellence within the Federal Government * 1998 Recipient of a Laurels Award, Aviation Week & Space Technology Magazine * 2009 Gen. Jerome F. O'Malley Distinguished Space Leadership Award * 2014 Dr. Wernher Von Braun Space Flight Trophy * 2014 General Thomas D. White Space Award * 2018 Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy
==Promotions== [[File:Hyten promoted to lieutenant general 120518-F-YZ649-006.jpg|thumb|Hyten is pinned with the rank of lieutenant general by his wife Laura and General William L. Shelton, the outgoing AFSPC commander on May 18, 2012.]] {| class="wikitable" |+ Promotions ! Insignia !! Rank !! Date |- | 70px | General | August 15, 2014 |- | 70px | Lieutenant General | May 18, 2012 |- | 70px | Major General | November 10, 2010 |- | 70px | Brigadier General | October 1, 2007 |- | 70px | Colonel | June 1, 2002 |- | 70px | Lieutenant Colonel | January 1, 1997 |- | 70px | Major | May 1, 1993 |- | 70px | Captain | August 23, 1985 |- | 70px | First Lieutenant | August 23, 1983 |- | 70px | Second Lieutenant | August 23, 1981 |}
==Writings== * {{cite web |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1076952.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105114407/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1076952.pdf |url-status=live |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |title=Space Mission Force:Developing Space Warfighters of Tomorrow |last= |first= |date=2016-06-29 |website= |publisher=Air Force Space Command }} * {{cite journal | last=With Dr. Robert Uy | title=Moral and Ethical Decisions Regarding Space Warfare | journal=Air and Space Power Journal | volume=XVIII | date=Summer 2004 | pages=51–60 | issue=2 | url=https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/ASPJ/journals/Volume-18_Issue-1-4/sum04.pdf}} * {{cite journal | title=A Sea of Peace or a Theater of War: Dealing with the Inevitable Conflict in Space | journal=Air and Space Power Journal |volume=XVI | date=Fall 2002 | pages=78–92 | issue=3 | url=https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/ASPJ/journals/Volume-16_Issue-1-4/Fall02.pdf}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
=== Bibliography === * {{cite book|url=https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/History/Dec21/Chairmanship%20of%20the%20JCS%201949-2019.pdf?ver=5Bghr__dy6kkWoDvFv9FQw%3d%3d|title=The Chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1949-2019|last=Lowery|first=Nathan S.|publisher=Joint Chiefs of Staff|edition=6th|date=2020|issn=2690-165X}}{{PD-notice}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{C-SPAN|97560}}
{{s-start}} {{s-mil}}<!-- {{s-bef|before=???}} {{s-ttl|title=Director of Space Operations of the United States Air Force|years=2009–2010}} {{s-aft|after=Edward L. Bolton Jr.}}--> |- {{s-bef|before=Susan K. Mashiko}} {{s-ttl|title=Director for Space Programs of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition|years=2010–2012}} {{s-aft|after=Robert McMurry}} |- {{s-bef|before=Michael J. Basla}} {{s-ttl|title=Vice Commander of the Air Force Space Command|years=2012‒2014}} {{s-aft|after=David J. Buck}} |- {{s-bef|before=William L. Shelton}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of the Air Force Space Command|years=2014–2016}} {{s-aft|after=John W. Raymond}} |- {{s-bef|before=Cecil D. Haney}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of the United States Strategic Command|years=2016–2019}} {{s-aft|after=Charles A. Richard}} |- {{s-bef|before=Paul J. Selva}} {{s-ttl|title=Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff|years=2019–2021}} {{s-aft|after=Christopher W. Grady}} {{s-end}} {{VCJCS}}
{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Hyten, John E.}} Category:Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences alumni Category:Auburn University at Montgomery alumni Category:Living people Category:United States Air Force generals Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Category:Recipients of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:Military personnel from Huntsville, Alabama Category:Vice chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Category:1959 births