Local man serving at Pentagon

Major James Bertolino, with his wife, Laramie, and their daughters, Amelia James and Hadley Carter. -Photo: Submitted by Paul & Barb Bertolino

By Tami Stevenson

In 2007, Reverend Paul Bertolino and his wife, Barbara, decided to retire and move to Advent Christian Village (ACV) in Dowling Park. Their son, Major James Bertolino, (Jamie) was serving in the US Army at the time and they were so very proud of him. Today, they are bursting with pride as their son, since then, has not only given them a beautiful daughter-in-law and two adorable granddaughters, but is now serving at the Pentagon.

A young girl, Laramie Ohms, was the church pianist when the Bertolino’s first moved to ACV. It just so happens that she is the daughter of Kerry and Tony Harmon, and Larry and Anessa Ohms – and the great granddaughter of
M. A. and Myrtle Carter and granddaughter of Pomeroy and Jerry Lynn Carter. She grew up at the village and so did her mother. Her uncle, Craig Carter, now serves as CEO and President of ACV.

Paul Bertolino would sit in the pew listening to Laramie play. When she was finished, he would say things like, “Oh, Laramie, that was beautiful, my son is in Iraq, how about writing him a note encouraging him.”

Paul and Barb introduced them when their son came home on leave and the rest is history, as they say.
“Paul takes great credit saying he put them together!” Barbara added, chuckling.

Jamie and Laramie now live in Alexandria, Virginia and are the proud parents of Amelia James (8) and Hadley Carter (6), although they still call Advent Christian Village home.

The Bertolino’s love it at ACV and are so glad they chose to retire there. They say it’s paradise before paradise!
Today, 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 also served two tours in Iraq.

His parents told the Suwannee Valley Times that if it were not for the ROTC program in high school, their son may have never joined the military. He joined directly after high school. His impressive military accomplishments are below.

MAJOR JAMES P. BERTOLINO
US Army Field Artillery & Acquisition Corps
Major Jamie Bertolino, a native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, enlisted as a Multiple Launch Rocket System Crewmember 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, Jamie 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 2007-2008.

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. Jamie commanded Charlie Battery, 1st BN, 78th FAR, that 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, Jamie 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, OK after his graduation 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 and now serves at the Pentagon.

Major Bertolino’s military education includes:
1992 – Basic Combat Training & Advanced Individual Training (13M), Fort Sill, OK
2006 – Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, GA; Basic Officer Leadership Course 2 & 3, Fort Sill, OK
2012 – Field Artillery Captains Career Course, Fort Sill, OK
2014 – Army Program Manager Course, Army Acquisition Center of Excellence, Huntsville, AL
2018 – Command and General Staff Officer College, Fort Leavenworth, KS

Jamie received his B.S. in Business Administration from Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH, and his M.A. in Procurement and Acquisition Management from Webster University, Fort Leavenworth, KS 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 3 oak leaf clusters, the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award, the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, and the Combat Order of the Spur.

Tragically, Paul Bertolino passed away the day before this story went to print. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Barbara and the Bertolino family during this difficult time.

Paul and Barbara Bertolino - Photo Submitted

Amelia James Bertolino sleeps soundly, safe in Daddy’s helmet. They titled the photo, “The Battle Begins.”
-Photo by Keelie Lipscomb