About me
David Berling, Captain (retired), U.S. Air Force
I was born in Idaho and grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Holmen, Wisconsin. I played soccer as a young boy and developed a passion for tennis during my middle school years. In 1998, I graduated from Holmen High School, where I lettered in tennis and participated in show choir. I studied at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, double majoring in Finance and Economics. I graduated after three and a half years in 2001.
I commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in December 2002 after completing a one-year ROTC program at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. I began my career in the Air Force as a member of the 56 Contracting Squadron at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona. While on active duty, I went back to school and received my Master's degree (MBA) from Webster University. I also earned my Private Pilot's License and Instrument Rating during this time in preparation for applying to military pilot training.
A month before leaving for ENJJPT (Euro-Nato Joint Jet Pilot Training), Melissa and I eloped to Hawaii.
On April 29, 2007, I was involved in a private plane crash. I medically retired from the Air Force exactly two years after the crash, worked full-time as a civilian contracting officer at Luke Air Force Base for five and a half years, and am an advocate for fellow amputees. My wife and I currently live in Litchfield Park, Arizona, where I train full-time on my handcycle in hopes of someday representing Team USA at the Paralympic Games. In my free time, I enjoy flying, working out, and shooting.
Handcycling Highlights
2024 U.S. Paralympics Paracycling National Team Member
2024 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup Belgium - 9th (time trial)
2023 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup Italy - 7th (time trial)
2023 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup Belgium - 8th (time trial)
2023 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup USA - 6th (time trial), 9th (road race)
2023 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - 2nd (time trial)
2022 U.S. Paralympics Paracycling National Team Member
2022 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup Germany - 8th (time trial), 8th (road race)
2022 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup Canada - 6th (time trial), 6th (road race)
2022 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - 2nd (time trial), 3rd (road race)
2021 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - Time Trial Champion
2021 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - Road Race Champion
2021 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - Team Relay Champions
2019 U.S. Paralympics Paracycling National Team Member
2019 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup Italy - 2nd (team relay), 9th (time trial)
2019 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup Belgium - 6th (time trial), 7th (road race)
2019 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - 3rd (team relay), 3rd (time trial)
2018 U.S. Paralympics Paracycling National Team Member
2018 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup Canada - 3rd (team relay), 5th (time trial), 5th (road race)
2018 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup Netherlands - 1st (team relay), 7th (time trial), 8th (road race)
2018 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - Team Relay Champions
2018 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - 3rd (time trial)
2018 Air Force Marathon winner and set new record
2017 UCI Paracycling Road World Championships South Africa - 8th (time trial), 7th (road race)
2017 UCI Paracycling Road World Cup Netherlands - 4th (time trial), 8th (road race), 5th (team relay)
2017 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - Time Trial Champion
2017 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - 2nd (road race)
2017 Arizona State Road Race champion
2017 Air Force Marathon winner and set new record
2016 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - Criterium Champion
2016 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals - 2nd (time trial), 2nd (road race)
2016 Air Force Marathon winner and set new record
2015 USA Cycling Paracycling Road Nationals, 3rd (time trial)
2015 Arizona State Individual Time Trial champion
2015 Air Force Marathon winner
Just Living the dream Co-authors
Melissa Berling (David's wife)
Missy Berling was born and raised in western Wisconsin. She graduated from Holmen High School in 1996. Missy studied Management Information Systems and Business Communications at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and graduated with her Bachelor's degree in 2001.
Missy worked in retail management prior to David's plane crash and quit her job in order to help him through recovery. She always loved books but never imagined writing one that focused on part of her own life. Missy loves reading, crocheting, traveling, and scrapbooking her and David's adventures.
Kim Berling (David's father)
Kim Berling was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and raised in Waukesha and Milwaukee. Kim graduated high school from Waukesha South Campus and attended University of Wisconsin - Waukesha, where he met and eventually married his college sweetheart Mary Salentine. Following certification from Herzing Institutes, Kim embarked on a career in Data Processing that took Kim and his family to jobs all across the country.
Along the way Kim graduated from ISU with double majors in Finance and Management Information Systems. His longest work tenure has been in La Crosse, Wisconsin, working for Trane. Mary wanted to "put down some roots" and La Crosse turned out to be an excellent small college town to raise a family.
It wasn't until David's accident that Kim and Mary considered moving out of Wisconsin. Eventually, the decision was made to move to Phoenix, Arizona, where Mary and he could be of some help to David and Missy. Now, they share the same neighborhood and continue to share their lives on a daily basis.