Colonel JAMES M. BERSHINSKY Colonel James M. Bershinsky is the Commander of the 433rd Medical Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. In this capacity, he serves as the senior medical advisor to the wing commander on medical force strategies, policies, practices and tenets. In addition, he provides leadership, vision and strategic direction for 350 assigned reservists with 31 Air Force Specialty Codes in three reserve medical units: the 433rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, the 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron and the 433rd Medical Squadron, which service 2,500 and 400 tenant personnel. The 433rd MDG provides combat ready forces to enhance force agility and lethality, supporting worldwide missions. Col. Bershinsky entered the U.S. Army in 1989 as a Combat Medic. He served on active duty until 1993 before transferring to the Army National Guard. From 1994 – 1996, Col. Bershinsky attended the U.S. Army Physician Assistant School at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and accepted a commission with the Colorado Army National Guard. From 1996 - 2006, he served as a Battalion Medical Officer in multiple combat arms units and deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In 2014, after a seven-year break in service, Col. Bershinsky joined the Air Force Reserves and began his Air Force career as a Physician Assistant and Flight Commander for the 302nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He later served as the Commander, 932nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 932nd Air Wing, Scott Air Force Base, IL, and went on to serve as the Deputy Commander, 624th Regional Support Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI. Prior to his current position, Col. Bershinsky returned to the 302d Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado serving as the Squadron Commander. EDUCATION 1996 Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 1996 U.S. Army Physician Assistant School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 1997 U.S. Army Officer Basic Course, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 2000 U.S. Army Flight Surgeon Course, Fort Rucker, Ala. 2008 Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska School of Medicine, Lincoln, Neb. 2017 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 2021 Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. 2023 Reserve Component National Security Course, Defense University, Washington DC ASSIGNMENTS 1. July 1989 - January 1993, Combat Medic, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 2. January 1993 - July 1994, Combat Medic, Illinois Army National Guard 3. July 1994 - September 1996, U.S. Army Physician Assistant School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas 4. September 1996 - October 2004, Battalion Medical Officer, Colorado Army National Guard October 5. October 2004 - December 2005, Medical Officer, 44th Medical Brigade, Iraq 6. February 2015 - May 2018, Physician Assistant and Flight Commander, 302nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. 7. May 2018 – November 2019, Commander, 932nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 932nd Air Wing, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. 8. November 2019 – October 2021, Deputy Commander, 624th Regional Support Group, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii 9. October 2021 - February 2024, Commander, 302d Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo. 10. March 2024 - Present, Commander, 433rd Medical Group, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters Air Force Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster Army Achievement Medal EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION Second Lieutenant - Sept. 10, 1996 First Lieutenant - Oct. 2, 1998 Captain - Oct. 17, 2001 Major - March 2, 2011 Lieutenant Colonel - March 2, 2018 Colonel - April 17, 2023 (Current as of March 2024)