People on the move: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mark Berger Published April 29, 2009 By Bob Fehringer U.S. Transportation Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Tech. Sgt. Mark Berger was a senior in high school in 1997 when his hometown, East Grand Forks, Minn., was struck by the worst flood it had ever seen. "Due to the flood, my senior year of high school was cancelled early," he said. "I had to jump into adult life much quicker than anticipated." After attending a local community college for a semester, Sergeant Berger, 30, said he became bored with the basic courses he was required to take. "I considered joining the Air Force (while) growing up, as I had always lived near Grand Forks Air Force Base and was somewhat familiar with it," Sergeant Berger said. Faced with the prospect of continuing at the community college or entering the workforce, Sergeant Berger joined the Air Force March 3, 1998. After tours of duty at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. and Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., Sergeant Berger was assigned to the U. S. Transportation Command three years ago. He now works as the NCOIC of the CENTCOM branch of the Intelligence Operations Division where he said he produces intelligence reports on threats to USTRANSCOM ground lines of communication. About working in the joint environment at USTRANSCOM, Sergeant Berger said, "It is an interesting experience working for, and supervising, military members from different services. I have learned a great deal about the different cultures and traditions of the other services. It has given me a greater appreciation for what my fellow military members do, and what makes their service branches unique. It has also strengthened my belief that I chose the right branch for me. "I like the Midwest 'feel' of Scott Air Force Base," Sergeant Berger continued. "It is familiar and comfortable for me. USTRANSCOM also gives me a nice break from the usual deployment routine. I have been able to use my spare time here to further my education and finish my CCAF (Community College of the Air Force) degree. If I had been subject to the typical Air Force Intel deployment routine, I probably would not have finished my degree as quickly, or as easily." When he's not analyzing threats to USTRANSCOM's supply lines, Sergeant Berger enjoys spending time with his wife, Aimee, their sons Mitchell, 4, and Aedan, 2, three vintage Volkswagens and more than 30 ball pythons. "I enjoy working on and restoring vintage Volkswagens," Sergeant Berger said. "I own a 1963 Beetle, a 1965 right-hand-drive Beetle and a 1966 Microbus. This hobby has been a wonderful learning experience, I have taught myself to weld, fabricate parts, paint and build high performance motors. I also enjoy a small collection of ball pythons, which I keep and breed." His expertise with reptiles has led to teaching high school students science classes in herpetology and, while in Colorado, instructing emergency responders on how to deal with and identify poisonous snakes. Sergeant Berger plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in intelligence studies from the American Military University while he continues his Air Force career. "I am very happy I made the decision to join the Air Force," Sergeant Berger said. "It has given me the direction, motivation and over all push that I needed to keep my life going in the right direction. I fully intend on staying in for a full 20 years, or more. "The military lifestyle and culture is something I do not think I could find in the civilian sector," Sergeant Berger continued, "and it makes my everyday work that much more enjoyable. I am proud of my family for sticking with me through the long hours, deployments and phone calls in the middle of the night. Without the support of my wife and my boys, I couldn't do what I do every day."