First Sergeant Pearson was born in Bethesda, Maryland. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in December 1991. Upon graduation he was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal. He reported to the School of Infantry for Marine Combat Training and Advanced Infantry Training earning the MOS of 0311 infantryman. Upon completion of school he reported for duty to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Pearson was promoted to the rank of Corporal and he held the billets of team leader, squad leader and platoon sergeant. During his tenure Pearson attended Assault Climbers School Bridgeport, California and was appointed a rifle squad leader and then a rifle platoon sergeant for three overseas deployments to Okinawa, Korea, the Mediterranean with the 26th MEUSOC and Guantanamo Bay participating in Operations TEAM SPIRIT, RESTORE HOPE, PROVIDE PROMISE and SEA SIGNAL. Corporal Pearson was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and received orders to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company.
In March of 1996 Sergeant Pearson reported to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company in Norfolk, Virginia. Pearson was assigned as a squad leader for the close-quarters battle and designated marksmen and provided security during two missions vital to National Security. In August 1997, Sergeant Pearson attended Close Quarters Battle School and obtained the MOS 8154.
In August 1998 Pearson reported to 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and assigned to F Company as the 1st Platoon Sergeant. Sergeant Pearson was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in November 2000 and was assigned as a machine gun section leader with weapons platoon. During his tenure Staff Sergeant Pearson attended Small Arms Weapons Instructor course MOS 8532 and the Martial Arts Instructor Trainer Course MOS 8551 and was appointed a machine gun section leader and the weapons platoon sergeant for two overseas deployments to Okinawa, Korea, and Thailand, participating in Operations KITP and COBRA GOLD. Pearson also held the temporary billets of Company Gunnery Sergeant and Platoon Commander, during this time.
In October 2001 Staff Sergeant Pearson reported to Drill Instructor School in Parris Island, South Carolina for duty as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor. Upon Completion of school Staff Sergeant Pearson reported to 3rd Battalion, Mike Company. He completed six cycles as a drill instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. He was awarded the Senior Drill Instructor of the Quarter for both Company and Battalion.
In October 2003 Staff Sergeant Pearson reported to Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division in Twenty-nine Palms, California, as Weapons Platoon Sergeant and Company Gunnery Sergeant. He participated in training and operations during Combined Arms Exercise (CAX). Two months later the Battalion deployed to Okinawa, Japan for two months to prepare for future combat operations in Iraq, where Staff Sergeant Pearson was assigned as the Weapons Platoon Sergeant. In March of 2004, Staff Sergeant Pearson deployed to Haditha, Iraq for combat operations within the Al Anbar province in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II. In April 2004 the Battalion reinforced the 1st Marine Regiment in combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq, where Pearson was assigned the Company Gunnery Sergeant for Operation VIGILANT RESPONSE until May of 2004 when he returned to Haditha. This period also included eight weeks where Staff Sergeant Pearson simultaneously held the billets of Weapons Platoon Sergeant and Company Gunnery Sergeant. In July 2004 Staff Pearson redeployed to CONUS. In December of 2004 he solely assumed the responsibilities once again as the Weapons Platoon Sergeant. In January of 2005 Pearson deployed to Fallujah, Iraq for combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM III. After completing his second combat tour in Iraq, Pearson arrived back in CONUS in July of 2005 and was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant on November 1st, 2005.
In January of 2006 Gunnery Sergeant Pearson reported to Drill Instructor School at Parris Island, South Carolina for duty as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor. Upon Completion of school Pearson reported to 3rd Battalion, Mike Company for duty as a Senior Drill Instructor and Series Gunnery Sergeant. He was reassigned for duty as an instructor at Drill Instructor School MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina in April 2007.
In April 2008, Gunnery Sergeant Pearson reported to the headquarters of the Recruit Training Regiment as the Regimental Drill Master, where he was in charge of Drill and ceremonies on Parris Island. In January 2009, Pearson was reassigned to Drill Instructor School as an Instructor.
In March 2009 First Sergeant Pearson was assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and reported to 3rd Battalion 10th Marines as the Kilo Battery First Sergeant. Later in November 2009 First Sergeant Pearson deployed to Helmand Province for combat operations in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In September 2010 First Sergeant Pearson was transferred to India Battery and later transferred in January 2011 to Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division as the Battery First Sergeant.
In November 2011, First Sergeant Pearson received orders to Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-East, where assigned as the First Sergeant for Company E.
In March 2013, 1stSgt Pearson moved to the billet as Battalion Sergeant Major for Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-East and returned to Company E June 2013.
In March 2014, 1st Sgt Pearson moved to the billet of Combat Instructor School First Sergeant, where he is currently serving.
First Sergeant Pearson’s personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device with gold star in lieu of second award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Combat Action Ribbon.