Pybus graduated from University of Rochester in 1979 and was commissioned through the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps.

After his commission as an ensign in the United States Navy, he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/Sea, Air, Land training in Coronado, California.

Pybus earned a Master of Arts degree in Strategic Studies at the Naval War College in 1998.

[5] In 2013 he was promoted to vice admiral and assigned to NATO Special Operations Headquarters in Mons, Belgium.

[6] His last position before retirement was as deputy commander, USSOCOM, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, from 2014 to 2016.