He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was
commissioned a 2ndLt. in May 1982.
Following completion of The Basic School and the Infantry Officers Course, Maj. Vanden Berghe joined 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines where he served as a rifle platoon commander, rifle company executive officer, legal officer, and H&S company executive officer. During this tour he deployed to Okinawa as part of the unit deployment program.
In May 1985, Maj. Vanden Berghe transferred to Marine Barracks, Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia and served as a guard platoon commander. Following promotion to captain in May 1987, he served as operations officer and executive officer. Major Vanden Berghe's next assignment was as a student at Amphibious Warfare School. Following graduation in 1989, he was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines and served as assistant operations officer and as operations officer during BLT 3/8's deployment with the 26th MEU (SOC). During the deployment, he participated in Operations Sharp Edge in Monrovia, Liberia. Major Vanden Berghe assumed command of Company I, BLT 3/8 in March 1991 and deployed a second time with the 26th MEU (SOC) from June to December 1991.
Major Vanden Berghe's next assignment was as head of reenlistment unit, enlisted assignment branch (MMEA), Headquarters Marine Corps. Following promotion to major in July 1994, he was reassigned within MMEA as head of the combat arms monitor unit. In July 1996, Maj. Vanden Berghe joined BLT 2/5 as the executive officer. He deployed with BLT 2/5 to Okinawa in November. BLT 2/5 is currently the ground combat element (GCE) for the 31st MEU
Major Vanden Berghe and his wife Sonja have two children, Alex
and Amy.
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