Chairman, House Armed Services (HASC) Subcommittee on Readiness
Rep. Jack Bergman, R-1 District, Michigan
Responsibilities
- The FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) tackles the human quotient of overall force readiness, bolstering long-standing issues such as affordable military child care; increased military housing inventories; and improved housing programs; including those that hold private housing contractors accountable for the quality and safety of homes they provide. This comes as welcomed legislation to the Readiness Subcommittee given its mandate to oversee DoD policy and programs related to family housing; construction; military installations; real property management, training, logistics and maintenance.
- Other readiness issues in the House defense spending bill include the Toxic Exposure Accountability provision, which addresses the impacts on military bases exposed to hazardous “forever” chemicals.
- Cleaning up toxic substances from affected military bases has long been on Congressman Bergman’s radar. It also informs the subcommittee’s legislative agenda which includes responsibility to oversee the organic industrial base; environment; energy-related issues; and base realignments and closures.
Quote
In June of 2025, Bergman co-introduced the bipartisan Military PFAS Transparency Act, which offers a set of methodologies to removing toxic chemicals from impacted military bases. Considered the precursor of the House Toxic Exposure Accountability provision, Bergman said of the introduced legislation: “the problem has been studied extensively — it’s time to act. This is about turning analysis into accountability and moving the Pentagon from paperwork to real-world cleanup.”
Committees
- Chairman of HASC Readiness Subcommittee.
- Member of: House Committee on Armed Services; Seapower and Projection Forces; Budget Committee; Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; and Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Military Service
- Bergman served in the US Marine Corps for 40 years, flying both rotary and fixed-winged aircraft, culminating as commander of Marine Forces North/Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans. He retired in 2009 at the rank of lieutenant general, having earned more than 15 medals and commendations including: Distinguished Service Medal (Navy); Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze campaign stars; Air Medal w/Valor device and Strike/Flight numeral “1”; Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal with 1 silver service star; National Defense Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars; Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with 1 bronze service star; and Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/bronze star, among others.
Political/Professional Career
- Served as US Representative from Michigan’s 1st Congressional District since 2017, becoming the highest-ranking combat veteran elected to Congress.
- The boundaries of his district extend from the Upper Peninsula down to the northern lower Peninsula.
- Flew 22 years as a commercial airline pilot and launched two startup businesses in the medical equipment field.
Education
- Masters degree in business administration from the University of West Florida; and a business degree from Gustavus Adolphus College.
- His military education includes: Naval Aviation Flight Training; Naval War College; Amphibious Warfare School; Marine Corps Command & Staff College; Air Command Element ; and Reserve Component National Security.
Personal
- John Warren Bergman was born February 2, 1947, in Shakopee, MN.
- His family roots in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula date back to the late 1800’s when his ancestors worked the mines rich in iron ore.
- Married to his wife, Cindy, for nearly three decades, they live in Watersmeet, Michigan, on the western edge of what is colloquially known as the UP.
- Jack is a grandfather to ten grandchildren.