SgtMaj Kenneth C. Pickering was born in La Ceiba, Puerto Rico and enlisted in the Marine Corps on 22 September 1983 from his hometown of Mobile, Alabama. Upon completion of recruit training at MCRD Parris Island, SC, SgtMaj Pickering attended the Field Radio Operator Course, MCAGCC, 29 Palms, CA, and was assigned the MOS of 2531 (Field Radio Operator).
Upon completion of school he was transferred to 4th Force Reconnaissance Bn, Mobile, AL, where he served as a Radio Operator. While assigned to 4th Force Recon he attended Amphibious Reconnaissance School (ARS), and was awarded the 0321 MOS (Reconnaissance Marine). In October 1986, SgtMaj Pickering was assigned to HqBtry, 3D Battalion, 11th Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA. While assigned to 3/11, he served as a Radio Operator and Communications Supervisor.
In July 1989, SgtMaj Pickering was assigned to 3d Reconnaissance Bn, Okinawa, Japan where he served as a Radio Supervisor and Reconnaissance Marine. During this tour he made multiple deployments to Korea and the Philippines. In August 1990, SgtMaj Pickering was assigned to I&I duty with B Co, 4th LSB, Lathrop, CA. where he deployed ISO Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. While assigned to 4th LSB, SgtMaj Pickering served as a Radio Chief, Armory Supervisor, Maintenance Management Chief, and Toys for Tots coordinator.
In May 1993, SgtMaj Pickering was assigned to MWSS-174, Kaneohe Bay, HI, where he served as a Radio Supervisor and CMCC Chief. In June 1994 the unit was disbanded and he was reassigned to 3d Marine Regt, Hqtrs Co, Kaneohe Bay, HI, where he continued to serve as the Radio Chief and Platoon Sergeant. SgtMaj Pickering graduated Marine Security Guard School in February 1997. He was then assigned as the Detachment Commander, Marine Security Guard Detachment San Jose, Costa Rica and London, England.
After London, SgtMaj Pickering was selected to activate American Embassy, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. In July 2001, SgtMaj Pickering was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC where he was assigned as the 2nd MAW, G6 Operations Chief. In January of 2002, he deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he was assigned duties as the Anti-Terrorism Force Protection SNCOIC.
In March 2002, SgtMaj Pickering was assigned to 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d MARDIV, Camp Lejeune, NC, where he served as the Company First Sergeant for Bravo, Charlie and H&S Company. In February 2004, SgtMaj Pickering returned to Marine Security Guard Battalion as the Company First Sergeant for Alpha Company Frankfurt, Germany. In April 2006, SgtMaj Pickering received orders to return to 3 Reconnaissance Bn, Okinawa, Japan where he assumed his duties as Battalion Sergeant Major. During his assignment with 3d Reconnaissance Bn. He deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In July of 2009 SgtMaj Pickering was assigned to The Basic School, Quantico, VA. where he assumed the duties and responsibilities of the TBS SgtMaj. In May 2011 SgtMaj Pickering was assigned to Marine Corps Embassy Security Group, Quantico, VA.
Sergeant Major Pickering's decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd award), and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is qualified as a military parachutist.