Colonel Pitchford is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1989 and served with Company H, 3d Battalion 23d Marines, and Company B, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion. During a six-year enlistment, he participated in Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM and attained the rank of Sergeant. In 1996, he graduated from the Virginia Military Institute and was commissioned and trained as an infantry officer.
Colonel Pitchford’s operational assignments include:
Platoon Commander and Company Executive Officer for 2d Battalion, 8th Marines (1997-2000). Assistant Operations Officer and Company Commander for Company L, and Operations Officer, 3d Battalion, 6th Marines (2004-06). Force Protection Officer, J-3, Combined Joint Task Force 82 (2006-2007). Iraqi Special Operations Planner, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Arabian Peninsula (Jun-Aug 2008). Executive Officer, 2d Battalion, 6th Marines (2010-11). Assistant Operations Officer and Operations Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (2010-13). Commander, Marine Corps Security Force Battalion, Kings Bay, Georgia (2014-16). During these assignments, Col Pitchford deployed to Haiti, Okinawa, Panama, Afghanistan (x3), Iraq (x2), and served at sea with the 26th MEU in the U.S. 6th and 5th Fleet areas of operation.
Colonel Pitchford’s supporting assignments include:
Series Commander and Company Commander, 2d Recruit Training Battalion, MCRD San Diego (2000-03). Plans Observer Trainer, Special Operations Command, Joint Forces Command (2007-09). Ground Section Head and Ground LtCol Monitor, Officer Assignments Branch, Manpower Management Division, HQMC (2017-19). Deputy Director of Reserve Affairs Division, HQMC, Manpower and Reserve Affairs (2019). Commanding Officer for Wounded Warrior Regiment (2020-21)
Colonel Pitchford’s Training and Education include:
Expeditionary Warfare School (2003-04). Marine Corps Command and Staff College (2009-10). U.S. Army War College (2016-17).