Sergeant Major Preston Silverstein was raised in Long Beach, California and graduated from high school in Los Alamitos, California. He enlisted and reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot for recruit training two months later. Upon graduation from Recruit Training in San Diego, Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton, and Field Radio Operator Course in Twentynine Palms, CA, Private First Class Silverstein reported to his first duty station, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Upon arrival Private First Class Silverstein began pre-deployment training as a Field Radio Operator. In September 2004, Silverstein began his first deployment with VMU-1 in the Al-Anbar province of Iraq. Newly promoted Lance Corporal Silverstein was chosen to operate a man-packed receiving station to deliver live footage from unmanned aerial systems. Silverstein supported Regimental Combat Team 7 in Fallujah for operation Al-Fajr. During his second deployment to Iraq in 2005, Corporal Silverstein was sent to Al-Qaim to support 3rd Battalion 6th Marines with unmanned aerial systems video downlink. In 2006, Sergeant Silverstein attached to a Military Transition Team and was sent to Ramadi, Iraq, as an advisor to an Iraqi Army Platoon.
In 2010 Sergeant Silverstein joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserve and was assigned to 3d Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO). Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was made Radio Chief and 2nd Brigade Platoon Sergeant. In 2012, Staff Sergeant Silverstein was selected to be the Senior Enlisted Advisor for detachment K, a Supporting Arms Liaison Team ordered to Afghanistan. Prior to mobilization, Staff Sergeant Silverstein successfully completed Joint Fires Observers (JFO) Course and Tactical Air Control Party Course to be designated a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC). In June 2013, he activated and began pre-deployment training with his 18 Marine Detachment. Detachment K deployed in 2013 in support of the Batumi Battalion, Georgian Infantry, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. During this deployment, Staff Sergeant Silverstein controlled close air support as a qualified JTAC on patrol and from the Combat Operations Center.
Upon returning from Afghanistan in 2014, Staff Sergeant Silverstein was made 3d ANGLICO Company Gunnery Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Silverstein trained prospective JFOs and JTACs, and parachutists as jumpmaster. As a newly promoted Gunnery Sergeant, Silverstein was made Firepower Control Team (FCT) Leader, FCT 8, SALT D, 3rd ANGLICO. As team leader, Silverstein took FCT-8 to multiple close air support exercises, surface fires exercises, and jump operations to include Integrated Training Exercise to maintain currency and qualifications.
In May 2018, Gunnery Sergeant Silverstein was selected for First Sergeant and reported to Motor Transport Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 453. During his tenure at Motor Transport Company he supervised multiple annual training events including Mountain Warfare Training Center Exercise 3-19 and Exercise Steele Horse. After his initial First Sergeant tour, Silverstein was assigned to Headquarters and Services Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 453 as Company First Sergeant.
In April 2022, First Sergeant Silverstein was selected for Sergeant Major and assigned to 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division. Sergeant Major Silverstein and 3d Force Reconnaissance Company supported African Lion and the Tunisian Maritime Special Forces in live fire, jump, dive, and visit, board, search, and seizure training in the Mediterranean Sea. In January 2024, Sergeant Major Silverstein was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 49 as the Group Senior Enlisted Leader.
Silverstein is the recipient of two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Sergeant Major Silverstein graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from California State University Long Beach, in 2019 and 2021, respectively.