Commander Rothenburg was born in Sheboygan, WI and raised in Huntington, VT.  He graduated with honors from Villanova University with a B.A. in History in 2007 and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2022 with a M.A. in Global Policy.

After being designated a Naval Aviator in March 2010, he joined the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” for his initial training in the F/A-18C Hornet. CDR Rothenburg began his first operational tour in February 2011 with VFA-25 “Fist of the Fleet,” deploying twice aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. He transitioned to VFA-106 “Gladiators” in February 2014, serving as an F/A-18A-F instructor pilot and Carrier Qualification Phase Head while qualifying as a standardization instructor in all phases of aircrew training

. In April 2017, CDR Rothenburg was assigned as Air Wing Landing Signals Officer to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, based in Atsugi, Japan, where he controlled 10,000 carrier landings over three Western Pacific patrols aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) with zero landing mishaps. In August 2018, he joined the “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA-143 as an operational department head, deploying aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) in support of Operations FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and INHERENT RESOLVE, during which the squadron received the RADM C. Wade McClusky and Battle “E” awards. 

Ashore, CDR Rothenburg served with the Joint Staff J-6 in Washington, DC, beginning in March 2021 as the directorate’s lead for strategic plans and global force management in the Operations, Plans, and Cyber Policy division. He reported to the “Golden Dragons” as Executive Officer in December 2023.

CDR Rothenburg has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours and over 600 carrier arrested landings. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (Strike/Flight award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various other campaign and unit awards.