Bilton has commanded the 104th Field Battery and the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. In between these appointments, he has served in staff postings with the Directorate of Officer Career Management and the Directorate of Force Structure (Army) within Army Headquarters, and served as a instructor at the Australian Command and Staff College.[1][2] In recognition of his "outstanding achievement" in a number of staff appointments, then Lieutenant Colonel Bilton was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2004 Australia Day Honours.[3] In 2008, Bilton was posted to Afghanistan as Deputy Chief of Staff for Security Sector Reform in Regional Command South. He was rewarded with the Canadian Meritorious Service Medal for his performance in this position.[1][2]
Following his return to Australia, Bilton was posted as Director General Development and Plans (Army) and later appointed to command the 7th Brigade.[1][2] Bilton was cited for his "exceptional service" in these roles and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours.[4] On 17 November 2014, he was seconded to the United States Army Pacific and succeeded fellow Australian, Major General Rick Burr, as Deputy Commanding General – Operations.[2] Bilton returned to Australia in 2017, having been awarded the United States Legion of Merit and the Japanese Defence Cooperation Medal for his service with the United States Army, and was posted as Deputy Chief of Joint Operations. He was appointed as Commander Forces Command in December 2018.[1]
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