Lieutenant 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.
From November 1997 to October 2000, LtCol Pitchford served with 2d Battalion, 8th Marines as a rifle platoon commander and company executive officer. During this period he completed deployments to Haiti, Okinawa, and Panama.
In November 2000, LtCol Pitchford was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. At the Depot, he served as a series commander in Company E and later commanded Company F, 2d Recruit Training Battalion. In August of 2003, LtCol Pitchford attended the Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia and received follow on orders to 3d Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment.
In May 2004, LtCol Pitchford deployed to Afghanistan as the Assistant Operations Officer with 3d Battalion, 6th Marines. Upon return, he assumed command of Company L, and deployed to Al Qaim, Iraq. Following company command, he served as the Battalion Operations Officer. In September 2006, LtCol Pitchford was assigned to Combined Joint Task Force 82 and returned to Afghanistan as a J-3 Force Protection Officer.
In 2007, LtCol Pitchford transferred to Special Operations Command Joint Forces Command, Suffolk, Virginia where he served as a Plans Observer/Trainer. While serving in this capacity, he deployed to Iraq as a staff augment to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Arabian Peninsula.
In 2009, LtCol Pitchford attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, Virginia where he earned a Master’s Degree in Military Studies. In May 2010, he assumed duty as Executive Officer, 2d Battalion, 6th Marines. In this capacity he deployed to Marjah, Afghanistan.
From June 2011 to May 2014, LtCol Pitchford served with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Assigned initially as the Assistant Operations Officer, he assumed duties as the Operations Officer in May of 2012. In this capacity, he participated in Hurricane Sandy relief efforts and completed an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th & 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.