Character Development: LtCol Justin M. Bellman ’99 (Honor)

Lieutenant Colonel Justin M. Bellman, USMC (Ret.), a 1999 Valley Forge Military College alum, returned to campus Friday, Feb. 6 as the latest Character Development Chapel Speaker.

LtCol Bellman currently serves as a Senior Exercise Planner in the J7 at the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.  He previously served 23 years as an Infantry Officer in the United States Marine Corps.  

Bellman’s speech focused on the character trait of Honor as he pulled from experiences at VFMC, in the Army, in the Marines and more.

“You see in 20-plus years of service in both the Army and the Marines and about a decade in joint special operations, I actually learned what honor was sitting right here and walking this campus,” Bellman told Cadets in his speech. 

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Click here to see the full speech

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Bellman graduated from Valley Forge Military College as part of the Early Commissioning Program (ECP) with the Army ROTC, and was commissioned a 2LT in May 1999. While a cadet at VFMC, Bellman served as the Black Night Ranger Challenge Team Captain, where he led his team to win the regional Ranger Challenge at Fort Dix, NJ, making his team the first ever to win from a junior college. 

He served as the F Company Commander 1998-1999 and the Platoon Commander for the Anthony Wayne Legion Guard Platoon Commander. At Graduation, Bellman received the McCloskey Medal, which is presented to those cadets who have attained the highest disciplinary reputation in their respective class. As a graduating cadet, he also received the Order of Anthony Wayne, the highest honor presented by VFMAC to those who demonstrate exceptional public service nationally or internationally.

During his first year at VFMC, Bellman’s Cadet First Captain was current Maryland Governor Wes Moore ’98C. He also talked about lessons from F-Company TAC Col. Thomas A. Deblois, who bestowed the lesson that, “honor is gained in thimbles and lost in buckets.”

“More than that little capshield. I did not know it at the time, but I was surrounded by honor everywhere I went on this campus,” Bellman said. “It was in our TAC office. It was in our faculty, and it was in the fellow cadets that I shared a life with here on campus.”

Bellman was on Valley Forge Military College’s wrestling team both years he attended the college, and was named team captain for the 1998-1999 season. While a wrestler at VFMC, he was a National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) National Champion in 1998 and 1999, and was the 1999 NCWA Most Outstanding Wrestler. He had an undefeated season in 1998-1999 with 28 consecutive wins and holds the VFMC school record for most pins in a season.

Following his time at Valley Forge Military College, Bellman attended The Citadel, where he wrestled at the Division I level for current VFMC wrestling coach Rob Hjerling.

“I learned about honor on the wrestling mat,” Bellman said. “I learned that a loss should still be treated with respect because just stepping onto that wrestling mat means you showed courage, win or loss. I learned about honor in this chapel, participating in what we called vespers … and thumbing through this  [capshield] booklet. I learned it in our alma mater where the men of Valley Forge, our alma mater, we should ever revere. Courage, Honor, Conquer. Words that will echo down through the years.”

Prior to joining the Marines, Bellman served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1997-2001. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Maneuver Captains Career Course, Marine Corps University, Command & Staff College, and U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

LtCol Bellman’s operational experience includes assignments with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), 3rd Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) Company, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). LtCol Bellman has deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM-Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation ODDSEY DAWN / UNIFIED PROTECTOR, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, and other specified Presidentially Directed Missions. His deployments have taken him to every continent except Antarctica.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal with “C” device and three Combat Action Ribbons. He is a Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist.

LtCol Bellman concluded his speech with an anecdote from his time in Iraq and how the lessons he learned about honor guided his decision making.

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Character Development Chapel Speaker Series

Valley Forge Military Academy & College’s mission is to develop individuals to be fully prepared for the responsibilities and challenges of being citizen leaders. We strive to develop the whole person within an integrated academic and military environment. Valley Forge Military Academy & College produces highly focused graduates who are strong in mind, body and soul.

Since our founding in 1928 by Lt. Gen. Milton Baker, our philosophy is built upon Five Cornerstones: Academic Excellence, Character Development, Personal Motivation, Physical Development, and Leadership. We expound on one of these foundational Cornerstones through the monthly Character Development Chapel Speaker Series. Each month, the VFMAC community focuses on a specific character trait which is shared with our Corps of Cadets through communications, teachings, and activities. Through the speaker series, Cadets have the opportunity to learn from industry experts, build campus culture and institutional strength, and challenge their own insights by asking thought-provoking questions.