Pledger was educated at Heywood Grammar School (became part of a comprehensive in 1968 and is now Siddal Moor Sports College) and Newcastle University where he read Chemistry. Pledger then attended the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell where he completed his initial officer training.
After basic flying training Pledger"s flying career was on helicopters. He was appointed Officer Commanding Number. 28 Squadron in 1978 and then commanded Number.
240 Operational Conversion Unit before taking part in the Falklands War and commanding Number.
28 Squadron. He became Station Commander of Royal Air Force Shawbury in 1990 before being appointed Air Officer Plans at Headquarters Royal Air Force Strike Command in 1994. He was Chief of Defence Logistics from 2002 to 2005.
