Meet ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) leadership at UC Berkeley: CAPT Randy Van Rossum, Lt Col Jeff Fyffe, and LTC Aaron Elliott. Together, they prepare students from Berkeley and the San Francisco Bay Area to become leaders and future military officers.
Our days revolve around preparing the next generation of military leaders. Each of us teaches capstone-level courses designed to ensure that our Cadets and Midshipmen are ready for commissioning and their first assignments in the Army, Air Force, and Navy/Marine Corps. In addition to teaching, our work includes mentoring, advising, overseeing training, and collaborating with campus partners. Like every other faculty member on campus, we balance our professional responsibilities with the demands of family life and everyday concerns—it’s just that our chosen path of service happens to be through the military.
Our greatest enjoyment comes from daily interactions with Cadets and Midshipmen. Watching them grow, develop confidence, and prepare for service is deeply rewarding. We also enjoy connecting with colleagues across the university and collaborating on teaching, research, and community events.
ROTC has a rich and proud history on this campus. The Army has trained here since 1870, the Navy is approaching its 100-year anniversary (1926–2026) with Admiral Chester W. Nimitz as our first Commanding Officer, and the Air Force program began in 1926 as Air ROTC as part of the Army Air Corps. ROTC programs are not closed communities—they’re part of the campus fabric. Civilian students are welcome to attend our courses when space allows, and advisors can help by making students aware of scholarship opportunities that can open doors to higher education and service.
Helping connect students to ROTC scholarship opportunities is one of the best ways staff can support us. Additionally, we value partnerships with faculty and staff across disciplines—guest lectures, panel discussions, and joint campus events have all enriched our students’ experiences and broadened their perspectives.
…new ways to connect our programs more deeply into the life of the university, whether through innovative teaching methods, broader academic collaborations, or stronger outreach that highlights the unique leadership opportunities ROTC provides.
We are proud of our long-standing presence at UC Berkeley, and even more proud of the young men and women we help shape into leaders of character. Our work is a continuation of the university’s commitment to service—one path among many for contributing to society. At the end of the day, we are colleagues and community members with the same hopes and concerns as everyone else on campus; our difference lies only in the particular way we have chosen to serve.
