Major General Bergman was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve under the Platoon Leader School program after graduation from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1969. In addition to attaining an M.B.A. degree from the University of West Florida, his formal military education includes Naval Aviation Flight Training, Amphibious Warfare, Command & Staff, Landing Force Staff Planning (MEB & ACE), Reserve Component National Security, Naval War College Strategy & Policy, Syracuse University National Security Seminar, Combined Forces Air Component Command, and CAPSTONE.

He flew CH-46 helicopters with HMM-261 at Marine Corps Air Station, New River N.C. and with HMM-164 in Okinawa/Republic of Vietnam. Assigned as a flight instructor, he flew the T-28 with VT-6, NAS Whiting Field FL. He left active duty in 1975 and flew UH-1 helicopters with the Rhode Island National Guard, Quonset Point R.I. Following a 1978 civilian employment transfer to Chicago Ill., he served in several 4th Marine Aircraft Wing units at NAS Glenview Ill. (HML-776, flying the UH-1; VMGR-234, flying the KC-130; and Mobilization Training Unit IL-1). He was selected to stand up the second KC-130 squadron in 4th MAW and, in 1988, became the first Commanding Officer, VMGR-452, Stewart ANGB, Newburgh N.Y. 1992-1994 he commanded Mobilization Station, Chicago Ill., largest of the 47 Marine Corps Mobilization Stations.

During 1995 he served as a Special Staff Officer at Marine Corps Reserve Support Command, Overland Park Kan. In 1996 he became Chief of Staff/Deputy Commander, I Marine Expeditionary Force Augmentation Command Element, Camp Pendleton Calif. Late 1997, he transferred to 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Headquarters, New Orleans La. to serve as Assistant Chief of Staff/G-1. Promoted to Brigadier General, he became Deputy Commander, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing.

Transferred in June 1998 to Headquarters, Marine Forces Europe, Stuttgart Germany he served as Deputy Commander. Recalled to active duty from April to July 1999, he was dual-hatted as EUCOM, Deputy J-3A. He then commanded II Marine Expeditionary Force Augmentation Command Element, Camp Lejeune N.C. until assuming command of 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, New Orleans La. in August 2000. In September 2002 he assumed command of the 4th Force Service Support Group, New Orleans La. He, also, served as Chairman, Secretary of the Navy’ Marine Corps Reserve Policy Board, 2001- 2003.

Returning to active duty in October 2003, he began his present assignment as Director, Reserve Affairs. Appointed by the Secretary of Defense, he serves as a member of the Reserve Forces Policy Board, responsible for assisting Department of Defense in establishing Joint policy for all Reserve Components.

Major General Bergman’s personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Single Mission Air Medal with Combat “V”, Air Medal with numeral “1” and the OSD badge.