Spring Break
Aggie bound for Iraq War
By: Christina Romero
Issue date: 7/23/07 Section: News
James Bernsen, Class of 1994, left to defend the country in Iraq.
Bernsen is a political consultant and a lieutenant junior grade in the United States Navy Reserve. He is also an intelligence officer in the Navy. He was scheduled to leave Sunday where he will receive a month's training and then be deployed to Iraq.
Bernsen said he started off at Texas A&M not sure what he wanted to do in life. With a history of good writing, he decided to pursue a career in journalism. He took jobs including a writer for the Brazosport Facts, The Lone Star Report and a newspaper in Germany on the Arthur F. Burns Fellowship. He also wrote for the city desk and later became assistant city desk editor at The Battalion.
Bernsen said the pay working for various newspapers was not good, so he entered the world of politics.
"There were opportunities in politics, like journalism, but better," Bernsen said. "It was a different way to express myself in a writing manner."
After college, Bernsen continued his work in politics. He did public relations work for political candidates and worked with several senators, including Phil Gramm and Kay Bailey Hutchison. He has organized campaigns and worked during legislative sessions. Bernsen later opened a strategic communications and political consulting company, Bernsen Consulting.
In the past legislative session, he did public relations for the Texas House Republican Caucus. He also did work for the Baptist General Convention, who were trying to prevent the expansion of gambling in Texas.
Bernsen joined the Navy because of the events of Sept. 11. "I saw my country being attacked," he said. "I didn't want to have Americans look at other Americans being killed."
He said can do nothing else to prepare for the day he leaves.
"James is a great person to represent the country," said Cory Elder, his friend for six years. "I'm proud to have him serve the country."
One of Bernsen's main goals while in Iraq is to improve the country. "James is very dedicated, he has a strong face and set of principles that he drives his beliefs in," said Julie Williams, a friend of Bernsen.
When he returns, Bernsen plans to focus on his business. "I want to get my company up and running," he said.
He will also continue with his usual hobbies of being a private pilot, sailing, playing the guitar and hiking. "I'm like Forrest Gump, I do many activities." Bernsen said.
Bernsen should be in Iraq for one year.
"I want to do my job as best as I can. If I do my job right more troops will come back. That's all the motivation I need."
Bernsen is a political consultant and a lieutenant junior grade in the United States Navy Reserve. He is also an intelligence officer in the Navy. He was scheduled to leave Sunday where he will receive a month's training and then be deployed to Iraq.
Bernsen said he started off at Texas A&M not sure what he wanted to do in life. With a history of good writing, he decided to pursue a career in journalism. He took jobs including a writer for the Brazosport Facts, The Lone Star Report and a newspaper in Germany on the Arthur F. Burns Fellowship. He also wrote for the city desk and later became assistant city desk editor at The Battalion.
Bernsen said the pay working for various newspapers was not good, so he entered the world of politics.
"There were opportunities in politics, like journalism, but better," Bernsen said. "It was a different way to express myself in a writing manner."
After college, Bernsen continued his work in politics. He did public relations work for political candidates and worked with several senators, including Phil Gramm and Kay Bailey Hutchison. He has organized campaigns and worked during legislative sessions. Bernsen later opened a strategic communications and political consulting company, Bernsen Consulting.
In the past legislative session, he did public relations for the Texas House Republican Caucus. He also did work for the Baptist General Convention, who were trying to prevent the expansion of gambling in Texas.
Bernsen joined the Navy because of the events of Sept. 11. "I saw my country being attacked," he said. "I didn't want to have Americans look at other Americans being killed."
He said can do nothing else to prepare for the day he leaves.
"James is a great person to represent the country," said Cory Elder, his friend for six years. "I'm proud to have him serve the country."
One of Bernsen's main goals while in Iraq is to improve the country. "James is very dedicated, he has a strong face and set of principles that he drives his beliefs in," said Julie Williams, a friend of Bernsen.
When he returns, Bernsen plans to focus on his business. "I want to get my company up and running," he said.
He will also continue with his usual hobbies of being a private pilot, sailing, playing the guitar and hiking. "I'm like Forrest Gump, I do many activities." Bernsen said.
Bernsen should be in Iraq for one year.
"I want to do my job as best as I can. If I do my job right more troops will come back. That's all the motivation I need."
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