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Marines


Biography

 

Major Mark M. Rothrock
Commanding Officer
Co. D, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion

Major Mark Rothrock is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  In 2010, he commissioned through the Officer Candidates Course. In 2011, he graduated from the The Basic School, the Armored Basic Officer Leaders Course, and the Army Reconnaissance Course.

In December 2011, Second Lieutenant Rothrock reported to 1st Tank Battalion aboard MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, California where he served as Headquarters and Service Company Executive Officer.  In October 2012, following graduation from the Advisors Gold Course, he deployed as an Advisor in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with Border Advisor Team 2/6, I Marine Expeditionary Force. 
 
Upon returning from deployment, from April to December 2013, First Lieutenant Rothrock served as Platoon Commander, Third Platoon, Company C, 1st Tank Battalion.  From December 2013 to December 2014, he served as Executive Officer for Company D, 1st Tank Battalion.  He completed his tour with 1st Tank Battalion as the Assistant Fire Support Coordinator, serving in that role from December 2014 through April 2015.  During that time period, from February to March 2015, he served as an Individual Augment in support of Operation Key Resolve in the Republic of Korea.

In May 2015, Captain Rothrock reported to Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit – New York City as the Marine Officer Instructor. As MOI, he oversaw the training and commissioning of 75 Navy and Marine Corps officers and served as the nationwide Course Coordinator for the program’s Evolution of Warfare curriculum.  

In August 2017, at the conclusion of his MOI tour, Captain Rothrock left active duty, directly affiliated with Detachment 4, 4th Tank Battalion in Lafayette, Louisiana, and served as Scout Platoon Commander until February 2019.  In February 2019, he reported to Camp Pendleton, California where he assumed command of Company A, 4th Tank Battalion and served in that billet until the conclusion of USMC tank divestment in November 2020.  In 2020, Company A was awarded the Clifton B. Cates Award and recognized as the best company in 4th Marine Division.
  
In November 2020, Captain Rothrock laterally moved to the Light Armored Reconnaissance community and was assigned to Company D, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.  In March 2021, Major Rothrock was promoted to his current rank.  In September 2021, Major Rothrock assumed command of Company D, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion and currently serves in that billet.

Major Rothrock holds bachelor degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a masters degree from Columbia University, and a juris doctor from Duke University School of Law.  He is a former law clerk of the Honorable James C. Dever III, United States District Court Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and currently is an attorney with Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP in Raleigh, North Carolina.  

Major Rothrock’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (one gold star in lieu of second award) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two gold stars in lieu of third award).