Colonel Bergen is a native of Elmwood Park, New Jersey. He is a graduate of Fordham University and a Logistics Officer.
His command billets include Motor Transportation Platoon Commander, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division; Series and Company Commander, “K” Co, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD San Diego; Commanding Officer of “B” Company, 1st Transportation Support Battalion; Commanding Officer of Combat Service Company 117, CSSG-11; and Commanding Officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 11.
His staff billets include Operations Officer, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD, San Diego; Operations Officer, Brigade Service Support Group 1, 1st FSSG; Prepositioning Officer and Section Head POE-40, Expeditionary Plans and Policies, HQMC; Deputy G-4, 1st Marine Division; Joint Headquarters Exercises Branch Head and Executive Officer to the Deputy Commander for Military Operations, United States Africa Command; and Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, 1st Marine Division.
His operational experience includes Operations Sea Signal, Guardian Retrieval, Noble Obelisk, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).
He is a graduate of the Amphibious Warfare School, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College (Non-Resident), the Norwegian Defense Command and Staff College, and the United States Naval War College. He holds a Master’s Degree in Security Studies.
His personal awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (Gold Star in lieu of Fourth Award), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in lieu of Second Award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (With Combat Distinguishing Device), and the Combat Action Ribbon. He also received the Second Marine Division’s Tarawa Award as the Division’s outstanding Lieutenant.