A native of Long Beach, California, Sergeant Major Preston Silverstein graduated from High School in 2003. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in July 2003. Upon graduation, he completed Marine Combat Training at Camp Pendleton and the Field Radio Operator Course at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, earning the MOS of 0621, Field Radio Operator.
His services in the Operating Forces include duties as Field Radio Operator, VMU-1, 3rd Marine Air Wing from 2003 to 2006, deploying twice to Al-Anbar Province, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2004 he supported Regimental Combat Team 7 in Fallujah, Iraq as a UAS video downlink operator. In 2005, he supported 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines in Al-Qaim, Iraq as a UAS video downlink operator. In 2006, he deployed to Ramadi, Iraq with a Military Transition Team as an advisor to an Iraqi Army Platoon.
From 2010 to 2018, he served with 3d Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), where he held billets including Senior Enlisted Advisor, Supporting Arms Liaison Team; Firepower Control Team Leader; and Company Gunnery Sergeant. During this time, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2013 in support of the Batumi Battalion, Georgian Infantry, as a qualified Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), controlling close air support on dismounted and mounted patrols.
His services as a Senior Enlisted Leader include duties as Company First Sergeant, Motor Transport Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 453 from 2018 to 2020; and Company First Sergeant, Headquarters and Services Company, CLB-453 from 2020 to 2022. In 2022, he was promoted to Sergeant Major and assigned to 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division. During his tenure, he conducted partner nation training with the Tunisian Maritime Special Forces.
In 2024, he was selected to serve as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Marine Aircraft Group 49, where he served until 2026. In 2026, he was selected for assignment to 1st Civil Affairs Group.
Deployments include: Iraq in 2004, 2005, 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with VMU-1; and Afghanistan in 2013 with 3d ANGLICO in support of the Georgian Batumi Battalion.
Sergeant Major Silverstein holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from California State University, Long Beach, earned in 2019 and 2021, respectively. In 2026, he earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering and Computational Mathematics from Claremont Graduate University.
His personal awards include two Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with V,” and two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.