QUANTICO, Va. -- Special Agent Les Bernys, a 21-year Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) veteran, promoted to the Senior Executive Service (SES) ranks Dec. 16, marking his transition to lead the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3) and its evolving cyber mission.
The SES swearing-in event, held at the Russell-Knox Building, was presided by Lt. Gen. Stephen L. Davis, Department of the Air Force Inspector General.
Although now based out of Linthicum, Maryland, Bernys returned to AFOSI’s headquarters to celebrate his swearing-in with former colleagues and coworkers.
“I’m proud to be a member of AFOSI, and I’ll never forget where I came from,” Bernys said. “Having the support of the AFOSI family means everything as I take on this new role. The lessons I’ve learned—about leadership, teamwork, and staying mission-focused—will guide me as I step into DC3.”
In addition to the department’s IG, Brig. Gen. Amy Bumgarner, AFOSI’s commander, attended the event, where she delivered remarks about Bernys’ career before pinning the SES lapel to his suit jacket.
“Les has brought an extraordinary amount of leadership to our organization, starting from his first days in AFOSI,” Bumgarner said, in an agency-wide message. “He directed and led law enforcement and counterintelligence investigations at every level and has been instrumental in shaping AFOSI’s future.”
Other top officials, including Special Agent Pearl Mundt, AFOSI’s executive director, attended the event. Bernys credited Mundt, and other senior leaders as his mentors.
Another mentor, Special Agent Lee Russ, OSI PJ executive director, served with Bernys while he was PJ’s deputy director.
Russ underscored Bernys’ natural leadership and approach to balancing people and mission.
“Les has always been a leader who brings out the best in those around him,” Russ said. “It’s been a privilege to see his growth, and I know he’ll bring the same drive and commitment to DC3 that defined his success here at AFOSI.”
Bernys began his AFOSI career in 2003 as a developmental special agent and quickly rose through the ranks, taking on multiple leadership roles before serving as AFOSI’s Chief Information Officer and Director of IT Services and Solutions (XT).
At XT, he led five divisions that supported 3,500 personnel at over 300 locations worldwide, managing a $200 million portfolio. Looking back on his AFOSI career, Bernys credits his success to mentorship and taking on challenging assignments that broadened his experiences.
Now at the helm of DC3, Bernys leads a team of more than 500 personnel specializing in digital forensics, cyber training, technical solutions and cyber analytics for the Department of Defense. But, as he looks ahead, he credits past roles like the Office of Special Projects deputy director and leading XT with preparing him for the challenges of this position.
“XT impacts and enables every part of AFOSI,” he said. “Leading it taught me so much about managing IT systems and building relationships across the Air Force, from the [Cyberspace Capabilities Center] to [Air Force Cyber.] Those partnerships and the insights I gained about DoD IT operations have prepared me to bring those lessons to DC3’s mission.”
Despite now leading DC3 and its evolving mission, Bernys’ badge still proudly reads AFOSI -- a connection he deeply values, he said.
“I’m still an AFOSI Special Agent -- my badge says AFOSI because the AFOSI commander credentialed me to lead DC3,” he said. “Everything I’ve learned here, from leadership to technical expertise, will guide me in this new role.”