Commander Rothenburg was born in Sheboygan, WI and raised in Huntington, VT.  He graduated from Villanova University with a B.A. in History in 2007 and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC). 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 reported to the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” for initial training in the F/A-18C Hornet. CDR Rothenburg reported to VFA-25, the “Fist of the Fleet,” for his first operational tour in February 2011, deploying twice onboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
 
CDR Rothenburg reported to the VFA-106 “Gladiators” in February 2014 as a F/A-18 A-F instructor pilot. With the Gladiators, he qualified as a standardization instructor in all phases of aircrew training and served as Carrier Qualification phase head.
 
In April 2017, CDR Rothenburg reported as Air Wing Landing Signals Officer to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 forward-based in Atsugi, Japan. Over three Western Pacific Patrols onboard USS RONALD REGAN (CVN 76) he controlled over 10,000 carrier landings with zero landing mishaps.
 
CDR Rothenburg was assigned to the “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA-143 as an operational department head in August 2018. He deployed onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) in support of Operations FREEDOM’S SENTINEL and INHERENT RESOLVE, while the squadron earned the RADM C. Wade McClusky and Battle “E” awards.
 
Beginning in March 2021, CDR Rothenburg served with the Joint Staff J-6 in Washington, DC in the Operations, Plans, and Cyber Policy division as the directorate’s lead for strategic plans and global force management. He reported to the “Golden Dragons” in December 2023.
 
CDR Rothenburg has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours and over 500 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.