Cmdr. Elan Rotklein
Executive Officer, USS James E. Williams
26 January 2026
Commander Rotklein, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, is a 2008 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics. He later earned a Master of Science in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School.
At sea, Commander Rotklein has served as Deck Division Officer aboard USS Comstock (LSD 45); Reactor Propulsion and Reactor Training Division Officer aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); Weapons Officer aboard USS Princeton (CG 59); and Main Propulsion Assistant aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
Ashore, he served as a Strategy Action Officer for OPNAV N722; as the Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer Program Manager for OPNAV N133; and as a Wargaming Analyst for the Joint Staff (J-8), Studies, Analysis, and Gaming Division. Commander Rotklein assumed the role of Executive Officer aboard USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) in September 2025.
His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards); the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards); and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), in addition to various campaign and unit awards.