Sergeant Major Wilson enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1994 and conducted Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego, and attended the School of Infantry where he earned the MOS 0311 and was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. Upon graduation, he reported to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines where he served as an Automatic Rifleman, Team Leader and Squad Leader, deployed twice to Okinawa, and was meritoriously promoted to Lance Corporal, Corporal, and Sergeant.
In March of 1998, Sergeant Wilson reported to Drill Instructor School, MCRD San Diego and graduated first in his class. He was assigned to Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion where he served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Water Survival Instructor. He was meritoriously promoted to Staff Sergeant and attended the SNCO Career Course where he graduated first in his class.
Staff Sergeant Wilson reported to 3d Battalion, 1st Marines in August of 2001 where he served as a Platoon Commander/Platoon Sergeant and deployed to Operation ENDURING FREEDOM as part of the 11th MEU (2002) and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) I (2003). He attended the SNCO Advanced Course and graduated first in his class. In 2004, he deployed to Iraq a second time where he participated in the battle of Fallujah as the Lima Company Gunnery Sergeant and First Sergeant.
In April 2005 Gunnery Sergeant Wilson was transferred to the SNCO Academy where he served as a Faculty Advisor, Instructor, and Chief Instructor for the Career Course and Sergeant Major David A. Wilson Sergeant Major, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command Advanced Course. During his assignment, he earned his Master Instructor Certification and was selected as the 2006 Instructor of the Year.
In December 2006, he was selected for the rank of First Sergeant and reported to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. He deployed on the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (2007), and to the Helmand Province of Afghanistan (2009) where he participated in combat operations in the Nawa District as a part of Operation KHANJARI. In May 2010, First Sergeant Wilson was assigned to Inspector-Instructor duty in San Jose, California and attended the Senior Enlisted PME Course in Quantico, Virginia where he earned the Excellence in Speech & Writing Award.
In June 2012 he was promoted to Sergeant Major and assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 in Yuma, Arizona. He deployed to Afghanistan from April to September 2013. In 2014, VMA-311 was recognized by the Marine Corps Aviation Association as the Marine Attack Squadron of the Year. In March 2015, he was assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 and deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.
In November 2015, Sergeant Major Wilson was assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group which was re-designated as I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group. Sergeant Major Wilson served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of U.S. Marine Corps Training Command (January 2018-July 2020), 3d Marine Aircraft Wing (July 2020-November 2021) 1st Marine Division (November 2021-December 2022), and II Marine Expeditionary Force (February 2023-July 2025). In August 2025, Sergeant Major Wilson was assigned as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command.
Sergeant Major Wilson's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit (fourth award), Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device, Meritorious Service Medal (third award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (fourth award) with Valor Device, the Navy and
Marine Corps Achievement Medal (second award) with Valor Device, and the Combat Action Ribbon (second award).