Sergeant Major Ellis was born on April 24, 1982, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 17, 2006, completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, California. Upon graduating Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Specialist School (MOS 5711) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he reported to 9th Communications Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California, as a CBRN Defense Specialist.
In January 2008, he deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM with 9th Communications Battalion, Service Company, Motor Transport Division, in Fallujah, Iraq. Following this deployment, he was meritoriously promoted to Corporal.
In November 2009, he laterally moved to MOS 6173 (CH-53E Helicopter Crew Chief). He reported to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 (HMH-462) as enlisted aircrew in January 2010. He graduated Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School in March 2010, and Marine Heavy Helicopter Training Squadron 302 (HMHT-302) basic flight training in July 2010, earning his designation as a CH-53E Crew Chief.
In July 2011, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 (HMH-464). Returning to HMH-462 in spring 2012, he served as Flight Line Division Assistant NATOPS Instructor, Night Systems Instructor, and Aerial Gunnery Instructor. He deployed again to Helmand Province with HMH-462 in July 2013, serving as Flight Line Division Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC).
In September 2014, he attended Drill Instructor School at MCRD San Diego. Upon graduation, he served as Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor for Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, concluding his tour as Battalion Drill Master in January 2018.
In January 2018, he joined Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 as a CH-53E Crew Chief. He deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and filled roles as Tool Room SNCOIC, Flight Line Chief, Enlisted Aircrew Training Manager, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor.
In June 2020, he reported to the U.S. Naval Academy as Assistant Marine Officer Instructor, later serving as Assistant Director of Player Development for the Navy Football team until June 2023.
In September 2023, he was promoted to First Sergeant and reported to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, serving as Company First Sergeant for Mobility Assault Company and Support Company.
In May 2024, he joined 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment as Weapons Company Senior Enlisted Leader, deploying to Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 2025. Upon return, the Battalion supported the Southwest Border Mission under Task Force Ripper. He was selected to Sergeant Major in November 2025 and ordered to Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion.
Sergeant Major Ellis personal awards’ include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (with 3 gold stars), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Air Medal (with Bronze Numeral 9 for strike flights and Gold Numeral 1 for Individual Action). He is married to the former Laniece Roy of Lakenheath, England. They have two daughters, Ava and Olivia, and one son, RJ.