Butterworth enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard at 18 years old as an infantryman after being moved by the events of September 11 attacks.[1] His service included a year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraq Freedom, followed by a reconnaissance mission deployment in Iraq.[2] Upon returning, he attended community college while balancing a civilian career and part-time National Guard service.[2]
Butterworth is a civilian police officer. Based in Arlington, Virginia, he transitioned into the Virginia Army National Guard's recruiting and retention battalion, focusing on reaching potential recruits through digital media.[1][3] He later joined the National Guard Bureau's marketing team, using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to reach a younger audience.[1][3]
Beginning in 2022, Butterworth's comedic social media videos under the handle @Butterworthdasyrup gained a large following. These videos humorously depict various aspects of military life, such as ASMR parodies and humorous takes on military meals.[1][2] The content became an informal recruiting tool, with approximately 90 percent of his enlistments coming from social media engagement.[2][3] Although his social media activity is personal and not officially endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense, he adheres to its social media guidelines.[2] In 2024, Butterworth started a ration-pack tasting series on YouTube, where he reviews military rations from various countries.[4]
