USA JAG Corps

Col. Vanessa Berry to review famous Bergdahl court-martial case

Our club welcomes COL Vanessa Berry USA (Ret.) as speaker this week to provide us with a briefing on the court-martial case of former Army Sgt. Robert “Bowe” Bergdahl where she served as prosecuting JAG. 

Chris Nowlen, who was originally scheduled as speaker for Wednesday, has been postponed.

Colonel Berry was born and raised in Washington State. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Washington State University and her J.D. from the University of Idaho. 

Colonel Berry was commissioned in the Army in 1990 and served for 28 years as a Judge Advocate in a variety of assignments including duty in Iraq, Korea and Washington D.C.  

Early in her career, Colonel Berry served as a Department of Justice Fellow in the Civil Division. Her military schools include: the Military Judge's Course; Command and General Staff College; the Judge Advocate General’s Graduate Course; and the Combined Arms and Service Staff School, earning additional degrees to include Master of Law from the Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School and a Master of Arts in Military History from the Command and General Staff College.

Colonel Berry's last Army assignment was as the Staff Judge Advocate, United States Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate provides relevant, collaborative, legally distinct advice on the full range of legal issues in support of the Forces Command mission to provide trained and ready land power to combatant commanders worldwide in defense of the nation at home and abroad. Colonel Berry’s personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

Colonel Berry moved to Missoula in December 2018 with her husband COL Steve Berry USA (Ret.), and they took an active role in the community, leading the Wreaths Across America effort in Missoula to honor our Montana veterans.