Col Randolph J. Bresnik, USMC
Class of 1989
Hometown: Santa Monica, Ca
- The Citadel's 1st man in space, Bresnik launched into space abroad the Space Shuttle Atlantis November 16, 2009. Aboard the International Space Station for 11 days in November 2009, Bresnik participated in 2 space walks. On July 28, 2017, Bresnik launched into space a second time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard the Soyuz 51S spacecraft. During the mission, Bresnik served as Commander of the International Space Station on this mission and performed 3 spacewalks. A USMC test pilot before entering the space program, Bresnik completed Astronaut Candidate Training February 2006, one of only 11 chosen for the class out of over 4000 applicants. In 2014, Bresnik commanded NEEMO19, an undersea exploratory mission aboard the Aquarius underwater laboratory. Most recently, he has been selected to help develop the next generation spacecraft.
- Bresnik was designated a Naval Aviator in April 1992. While assigned to VMFA-212, he attended the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course (WTI) and Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) in January 1999, and flew the F/A-18 A-D and F/A-18 E/F in all manners of flight test. In January 2003, Bresnik deployed with MAG-11 to Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait. From Al Jaber, where he flew combat missions in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bresnik has logged more than 6,400 hours in 85 types of aircraft. His military awards include the Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; three Strike/Flight Air Medals; three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals with Combat “V”; three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals; and 2 NASA Spaceflight Medals.
- Asked about his time as a Citadel Cadet, Colonel Bresnik commented: “To this date it was the hardest mental and physical challenge that I’ve come up against, and I did not know If could do it. After The Citadel, I knew that I could do anything."