Sergeant Major Pilkington was born in Castro Valley, California, and enlisted in the Marine Corps June 2001. Upon graduating from MCRD San Diego, CA in June 2002, Private First Class Pilkington attended Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton, CA. July 2002 he attended Marine Aviation Training Support Squadron-1 in Meridian, MS where he obtained an MOS of 6672, Aviation Supply Specialist.
In October 2002, Private First Class Pilkington was assigned to MALS-24. December 2002, Private First Class Pilkington was promoted to Lance Corporal. October 2003, Lance Corporal Pilkington deployed with HMH-362 “Ugly Angels” to Iwakuni, Japan. January 2004, Lance Corporal Pilkington was promoted to Corporal.
Upon returning from deployment in April 2004, Corporal Pilkington was assigned as Training NCOIC for MALS-24. February 2005, Corporal Pilkington was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
In March 2006, Sergeant Pilkington reported to H&HS, MCAS Miramar. Sergeant Pilkington was assigned as a Crew Chief with VMR-1 and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Horn of Africa. Upon returning from deployment, Sergeant Pilkington was assigned to the ISMT as a Small Arms Weapons Instructor.
Sergeant Pilkington participated in Operation Enduring Freedom August of 2008. Upon return from deployment, Sergeant Pilkington was promoted to Staff Sergeant in October 2009.
Staff Sergeant Pilkington reported to Recruiter School in October 2009. Upon successful completion of Recruiter School, he was assigned to RSS Victorville, CA, RS San Diego, 12th Marine Corps District. He completed two years as a canvassing recruiter. December 2011, Staff Sergeant Pilkington became the SNCOIC of RSS Imperial Beach, CA.
In February 2013, Staff Sergeant Pilkington reported to MALS-11. Staff Sergeant Pilkington deployed with VMFA-314 for the Request for Fires (RFF) deployment in March 2014.
January 2015 Staff Sergeant Pilkington reported to COMNAVAIRLANT, Norfolk, VA to conduct duties as the Integrated Logistics Support SNCOIC and was assigned as the Company Gunnery Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Pilkington was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant in September 2015.
Gunnery Sergeant Pilkington was frocked to First Sergeant in April of 2019. From April 2019 to February 2022, he served as the Company First Sergeant of Fox Co., Weapons Co., and H&S Co. 2D Battalion, 3D Marines, 3D MarDiv, where he completed two FDF deployments to the Pacific.
March of 2022, First Sergeant Pilkington reported to H&S Battalion, School of Infantry (West). First Sergeant Pilkington was frocked to Sergeant Major in March 2023 and reported to Marine Combat Training Battalion – West as the Battalion Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Major Pilkington's personal awards include the Air Medal (w/ numeral '5' in lieu of 5th Air Strike/Flight award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of fourth award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), Army Achievement Medal, and Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Sergeant Major Pilkington resides in San Clemente, California, with his wife Alison and son Callen.