By Reverend Paul and Barbara Bertolino Contributor
Major James Bertolino, a native of Haverhill, Mass., enlisted as a Multiple Launch Rocket System Crew member in 1992. His first assignment was with the 6th Battalion (BN), 32nd Field Artillery Regiment (FAR), where his duties included Ammunition Handler, Launcher Driver and Gunner. After commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, Major Bertolino was assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Ga. as a Fire Support Officer with the 2nd BN, 69th Armor Regiment during the Iraq troop surge of 2007 to 2008. After redeployment, he transferred to the 1st BN, 10th FAR as a Fire Direction Officer and trained as a Civil Affairs Officer. His deployment duties consisted of Civil-Military Operations and Deputy Team Leader for the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team. Major Bertolino commanded Charlie Battery, 1st BN, 78th FAR, which provides the initial training for all US Field Artillery (FA) Cannoneers. His second command was the HQ Battery of the 428th FA Brigade (FA Schoolhouse).
After acceptance into the US Acquisition Corps and attendance at the Army Program Manager Course, Major Bertolino began his first Acquisition assignment with the Missile Defense Agency's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense program. He had three-year-long billets working with the Launcher, Interceptor and as a Contract Officer's Representative. Major Bertolino returned to Fort Sill, Okla., after he graduated from the Command and General Staff College where he assumed the roles of both the Acquisition Advisor and Field Artillery Staff Officer for the Army Capability Manager for Field Artillery Brigade and Division Artillery. He and his wife now reside in Alexandria, Va., where Major Bertolino works at the Pentagon as an Army Systems Coordinator in the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. He served two tours in Iraq.
Major Bertolino's military education includes: 1992 – Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training (13M), Fort Sill, Okla.; 2006 – Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Ga.; Basic Officer Leadership Course 2 and 3, Fort Sill, Okla.; 2012 – Field Artillery Captains Career Course, Fort Sill, Okla.; 2014 – Army Program Manager Course, Army Acquisition Center of Excellence, Huntsville, Ala.; 2018 – Command and General Staff Officer College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Major Bertolino received his B.S. in Business Administration from Plymouth State University, Plymouth, N.H., and his M.A. in Procurement and Acquisition Management from Webster University, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. campus.
Major Bertolino's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, The Defense Meritorious Service Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award, the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the Combat Order of the Spur.
Major Bertolino is married to the former Laramie Ohms of Dowling Park, Fla. The Bertolino’s are the proud parents of Amelia James and Hadley Carter and now reside in Alexandria, Va. They call Dowling Park home. His parents are retired Rev. Paul A. Barbara D. Bertolino. They reside at the Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park.